What if you didn’t go to a target school? What if you’re an international student who needs sponsorship? Does that mean MBB is out of reach?
Michael Liu is living proof that the answer is no. In this episode, Japheth sits down with Michael, an undergraduate student from Taiwan who defied the odds to land a BCG internship.
Michael shares the exact steps he took to break in, including:
- How he built a powerful networking strategy
- Overcame the sponsorship hurdle
- Prepared for both case and behavioral interviews
His story is full of practical insights and encouragement you can apply to your own recruiting journey — whether you’re at a non-target school, navigating visa questions, or just looking for that extra edge.
Additional Resources:
- Join Black Belt, a structured case prep program that helps candidates land MBB offers
- Practice case interviews live or on-demand with real case prompts on YouTube
- See a list of consulting firms that sponsor international candidates
Partner Links:
- Stax is hiring! See open roles and requirements
Transcript:
Japheth: Strategy Simplified—I've got a great guest here today. Michael Liu joins us from somewhere in Utah. Michael landed a BCG internship, and we’re going to dive into his journey to extract some wonderful insights for you to apply to your own recruiting process.
Whether BCG is at the top of your target list or a different firm, there are going to be lots of learnings you can apply to your journey. Michael, welcome to Strategy Simplified. How are you today?
Michael: I’m doing great. Thank you so much for having me, Japheth.
Japheth: All right, let’s dive in. Can you tell us a little about who you are and give us the 60-second snapshot?
Michael: 100%. I’m honored to be here. I’m an avid listener of Strategy Simplified. A little bit about me: I’m from Taiwan, originally grew up there, and I’m here in the U.S. as an international student. I’m going to school in Utah at Brigham Young University. I’m studying finance.
I’ve worked in financial services and done internships in hospitality and tourism. This next summer, I’m grateful to be able to go to BCG and explore the consulting world.
Japheth: I love it. Which office are you breaking into?
Michael: I’ll be going to Dallas. I’m super excited to see the Cowboys and also the Mavericks.
Japheth: Beautiful.
Discovering Consulting
Japheth: Coming from Taiwan and now heading to BCG—at least for the summer—what piqued your interest in consulting? Was there an experience or a light bulb moment that shaped your interest?
Michael: Yeah, I think there was. As a finance major, the typical routes are banking, private equity, and consulting. My brother is actually a banker in Europe, so I got to learn a lot about finance from his side. One day he told me, “I feel like you’d fit really well in consulting.”
I did my research on the consulting industry, discovered Management Consulted and other resources, and realized I enjoy working across different industries. If you look at my background, it’s all over the place. Consulting is unique because it allows you to explore case by case and work with some of the biggest firms and smartest people out there. That was my light bulb moment.
Japheth: I love that. Well, congrats again on BCG. That’s a huge deal. I’m going to assume you applied to more than just BCG. Can you talk about your overall recruiting process, and then specifically, what stood out to you about BCG?
Michael: 100%. As an international student, sponsorship was a factor in looking for jobs and internships. MBB firms are usually able to sponsor, but I also looked at Big Four and elite boutiques that specialize in certain industries.
What stood out about BCG were a few things. First, during my chats and the interview process, people consistently emphasized the feedback culture—being able to take feedback and consistently improve. As a young professional, you want people to be honest with you about what you can improve.
Second, the people were incredibly friendly. Recruiters and consultants who helped me case were supportive and generous with feedback. Funny story: my first-round BCG interviewer ended up becoming a mentor and still gives me tips. That shows the type of people at BCG.
Networking into Consulting
Japheth: You mentioned you talked to a lot of people at BCG. Walk us through your networking process. How did you know who to reach out to? How did you get in touch? What did you ask for?
Michael: 100%. BYU isn’t necessarily a target school for consulting, but we do have alumni who went to MBB or other consulting firms. Those were my first contacts.
Second, LinkedIn is such a powerful tool. I looked at people with backgrounds similar to mine, and reached out to learn how they got where they are. I’m a big LinkedIn guy—I just send a message. Sometimes you can try to guess emails, but LinkedIn is effective in my experience.
I usually asked for 10–15 minutes to hear about their story. Later, if the relationship developed, I’d ask if they’d be willing to case with me.
Japheth: That’s awesome. If you case with someone and bomb, it could hurt your chances. So props to you for having the guts to put yourself out there.
Michael: Yeah, 100%. There’s something about learning directly from a consultant that’s really valuable. I started by casing with friends who were also recruiting. Many schools have consulting clubs, which are a great resource. Management Consulted’s programs are also excellent for aspiring consultants.
Japheth: I love that. And I want to call out that you were very specific with your networking asks. Saying, “Can we connect?” isn’t compelling. Asking, “Can we do a 15-minute call on Thursday at 3 p.m.?” is much more effective.
Michael: Exactly. Being intentional is key. I’d say, “I’d love 15 minutes of your time because of XYZ—I saw you worked here, I was interested in this.” That specificity helps.
Another thing that helped me was creating an Excel sheet to track my chats. I took notes after every conversation, followed up on details like trips they mentioned, and built genuine relationships. That way, it wasn’t just transactional—it could evolve into mentorship.
Sponsorship Challenges
Japheth: Let’s come back to sponsorship. You needed it, and we hear from a lot of international students struggling with that. What are common mistakes you see, and what advice do you have?
Michael: A common mistake is not checking up front whether a firm sponsors. You don’t want to reach a final round only to learn they don’t. That wastes valuable time you could have used on firms that do sponsor.
One resource that helped me was Management Consulted’s sponsorship database. It lists firms that historically sponsor. That saved me from having to research every single firm individually.
Once you get an interview invite at a sponsoring firm, though, you’re on equal footing. It just comes down to performance.
Case Interview Prep
Japheth: Let’s talk about case prep. What resources or tools helped you prepare?
Michael: Casing is ambiguous—it’s hard to measure success because interviewers differ. I started by watching YouTube videos of real case interviews to understand the structure: prompt, clarifying questions, framework, math, brainstorming.
Then I practiced with friends, consulting clubs, and later with consultants. Practicing with actual consultants was especially valuable for feedback.
I also used Strategy Simplified and Market Outsiders podcasts to gain industry insights. That helped me stand out in interviews when I could show I was following industries closely.
Japheth: That’s great. But the key is actually practicing. Reading books and watching videos are fine, but without practice, you won’t improve.
Michael: Yeah, 100%. Repetition and feedback are everything.
Fit and Behavioral Interviews
Japheth: Fit interviews matter just as much, especially in final rounds. How did you prepare for those?
Michael: My preparation was simple: know who I am, connect with the interviewer, and create a genuine conversation. Even online, I wanted it to feel like two people learning and solving problems together.
In partner rounds, partners are essentially judging whether they’d trust you with a client. That requires confidence, even when facing hurdles, and the ability to make recommendations.
Busting Myths About Recruiting
Japheth: What’s one myth about recruiting you want to bust?
Michael: You don’t have to come from a target school or a big-name internship to land MBB. My journey as an international student at a non-target school shows that.
It’s about precise actions, structuring your time, and focusing on what’s unique about you. Everyone has a value prop—something they can bring to a firm. You just have to show it in the limited time interviewers get with you.
My basketball coach used to say, “Stack days.” It’s about consistent repetition every day. That’s how you reach your goal.
Advice for International Students
Japheth: Speaking directly to international students, what’s your best advice?
Michael: Hone in on your diverse experience. Coming to the U.S. as an international student isn’t easy—financial instability, applying in a second language, adjusting to a new culture. That’s extraordinary.
Recognize that, own it, and bring it into your recruiting story. It will set you apart.
Looking Ahead at BCG
Japheth: What are you most excited for as you start your BCG internship?
Michael: I’m excited to work with brilliant people, learn from them, and build mentorships. I also hope to work on a travel case. I love seeing new places and meeting different clients.
Personal Questions
Japheth: Let’s shift gears. Basketball has been a big part of your life. You played on a U18 national team, and you’re a Lakers fan. What’s a favorite memory or bucket-list item?
Michael: My favorite memory is realizing the skill gap when I first played in the U.S. I thought I was good in Taiwan, but when I played here, I was humbled. That’s when I shifted toward business.
On my bucket list: seeing the Mavericks play. I’ve been a Lakers fan since Kobe, and now I’ll be in Dallas where Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis are. I’ll also visit the three NBA teams in Texas.
Japheth: You also play piano and saxophone. What’s a meaningful piece for you?
Michael: Piano is my main instrument—I love playing City of Stars from La La Land. On saxophone, I only know one song. In high school band, we all had to learn a new instrument, and I learned part of Phantom of the Opera. That’s all I know, but maybe I’ll pick it up again someday.
Japheth: I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time at BCG.
Michael: Definitely—hopefully!
Closing Thoughts
Japheth: Michael, thanks for sharing your journey. We’re excited to see you crush it at BCG and beyond. Please stay in touch—we’d love to do a follow-up in a couple years.
Michael: Thank you so much, Japheth. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share.
Japheth: Thanks for tuning in! Make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast wherever you’re listening. It helps us reach new listeners and tells you when we release new content every week. See you on the next episode of Strategy Simplified.