Comments on: Why Harvard Business School Does NOT Equal McKinsey

By: MC

MC — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 03:29:17 +0000

Hi Smita,

Breaking into consulting would be quite tough in your situation, although not impossible.
If you could send your resume to products@managementconsulted.com, we’d be able to evaluate your candidacy better, thanks!

By: smita

smita — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:17:02 +0000

I am a stay at home mom now since 4yrs. I had done my Masters in Biomedical Engg. prior to that and had interned in my field then . Now i want to get back to the workforce and do not know where to start with no work experience. I am doing my homework by reading the blogs and info pages. I am ready to do whatever it takes to be a Management Consultant . I need your kind suggestions in what is the first step towards acheiving the goal or is it impossible to get through?
Little about me: Analytical, Hard working, working on communication skills, A little above average student.

Thanks

By: MC

MC — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:21:57 +0000

Hi JED,

It’s great that you already have an MBA and a BS in software engineering. You can present yourself as someone who understanding both technology and business. Try focusing on applying to consulting firms with strong IT consulting businesses (e.g. Accenture, IBM Global Business Services) to get your foot in the door in consulting, then you can try to branch out to non-IT engagements from there if you want to. Offering to volunteer as a free intern up front at a large firm may actually hurt you; most top firms have established internship programs and would rather pay for good interns than allow free interns that are less than top-notch, and you may come off as desperate. However, if you are able to somehow arrange an informal internship through an acquaintance or something, it’s OK to do a free internship to get experience after you at least initially try to get a paid internship.

By: JED

JED — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:52:00 +0000

Thanks very much for the article and sensible insights. My question is as I already have an MBA w/software engineering in bachelors.. but no/very little experience…which would be the best way to get into management/strategy consulting? I am ready to volunteer anywhere from 12-18 weeks as intern.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:40:45 +0000

Jeff – am not sure what your question is asking. If you’re asking which companies are great as an internship position despite not speaking the dominant language (eg, French), then unfortunately I don’t have much advice.

If you’re asking which companies are great for interns generally speaking, pretty much any internship you land will be incredibly valuable. Consulting is a selective industry, and even more so for summer interns. Aim for the best ones – but I’d cast a very broad net as well through networking, searches through job bulletins/directories, and plain ‘old Google research on consulting firms of all types.