Consulting Analyst Fall 2026

Support client consulting engagements by conducting research, analysis, and problem-solving to develop actionable recommendations for small businesses across Appalachia.

This opportunity is a part-time, volunteer experience with Appalachia Advisory, a chartered non-profit corporation supporting underserved small business owners across Appalachia through pro bono consulting engagements.

As a Consulting Analyst, you will work as part of a team of approximately 4–5 Analysts led by a Team Lead and overseen by a Director of Consulting. Analysts are responsible for owning individual workstreams, conducting rigorous analysis, and contributing to high-quality recommendations throughout an ~8 week engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to a client consulting project from initial kickoff through final delivery
• Own assigned workstreams and deliverables, managing tasks and deadlines independently
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, customer research, financial analysis, and other quantitative or qualitative analyses as needed
• Help structure client problems, develop hypotheses, and identify insights that inform project recommendations
• Translate research and analysis into clear, actionable findings and recommendations
• Build presentation materials, exhibits, and other client deliverables
• Participate actively in team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and problem-solving discussions
• Communicate progress, challenges, and key findings to the Team Lead
• Incorporate feedback from Team Leads and Directors to improve analyses and deliverables
• Participate in client meetings and gain exposure to real-world client communication and consulting engagements
• Collaborate with fellow Analysts across workstreams to ensure analyses are aligned and collectively address the client's highest-priority needs

Ideal Candidates

Students and young professionals who are intellectually curious, analytical, dependable, and eager to develop their consulting skills through hands-on experience. Ideal candidates should be comfortable working independently, learning new concepts quickly, conducting research, analyzing information, and communicating their findings clearly.

We are specifically seeking individuals who are passionate about our mission, supporting small businesses, and advancing social impact initiatives that create meaningful change in marginalized communities.

Previous experience in consulting, strategy, finance, business analysis, entrepreneurship, or related fields is helpful but not required. We value strong problem-solving ability, initiative, collaboration, and a willingness to learn.

What You’ll Gain

• Real consulting experience: Work directly on real client challenges and develop recommendations that can create tangible business value
• Analytical development: Strengthen skills in research, market analysis, problem solving, quantitative analysis, and strategic thinking
• Client exposure: Gain experience working with small business owners and seeing how consulting recommendations are developed and delivered
• Professional development: Receive mentorship and feedback from Team Leads, Directors, Senior Leadership, and Alumni
• Team experience: Collaborate with a team of Analysts and develop skills in communication, project execution, and teamwork
• Professional network: Connect with students, young professionals, advisors, and industry leaders from across the country
• Community impact: Help underserved small businesses access strategic resources and consulting support at no cost

About Us

Gain real consulting experience with real community impact.

Appalachia Advisory is a chartered non-profit corporation in the State of Tennessee. We connect students and young professionals from across the U.S. with small businesses throughout Appalachia, providing strategic consulting support to businesses in under-resourced communities.

Our teams work directly with business owners through ~8 week consulting engagements focused on areas such as strategy, marketing, operations, growth, and organizational enablement.

Our work is entirely pro bono for clients, allowing our members to develop meaningful consulting experience while creating tangible value for the communities we serve.

Position Details

Job Title: Consulting Analyst
Position Type: Part-Time / Volunteer Experience
Location: Remote
Schedule: Part-Time
Expected Time Commitment: Approximately 5 - 7 hours per week
Compensation: Unpaid
Work Authorization: U.S. work authorization not required

Recommended Candidate Background

School Year: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Graduate Student

Relevant Majors / Backgrounds:
Business Administration & Management, Consulting, Finance, Economics, Business Analytics, Marketing, Management Science, Data Science, Entrepreneurship, or related fields