On January 30, GivingWorks consultant Allison Schwartz spoke on an alumni panel to a group of students from the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy on careers in consulting. Among the panelists - which also included consultants from IBM, ICF International and Avalere Health - Allison represented the unique perspective of consulting with a small, niche firm serving exclusively social sector clients. Allison spoke to the complexities of consulting for public benefit organizations, where social impact rather than the bottom line is the true measure of success. Attendees asked a range of practical questions from work-life balance, managing client relations, required skills, and "standing out" as an applicant. A Ford School graduate herself, Allison shared insights into how her experiences and coursework prepared her for a position in consulting, and offered her perspectives on the skills necessary to succeed in the field.