| Topic Name: |
Advice for undergrad / breaking into consulting |
| Message Name: |
Experience Counts |
| Date Posted: |
03/21/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
Thanks one and all for the helpful advice.
I am encouraged by how many people were willing to give me their mind-share.
If anyone has any ideas though on how to better my chances of breakig into consulting in the current market (I can't go for an MBA for a few more years as I just graduated) then I'd be very appreciative to hear suggestions.
Thanks again to all who wrote!
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| Message: |
Every message posted thus far has validity. What we are all forgeting to tell you is that experience counts a great deal in this industry.
First, understand the type of work that is involved with strat, and make sure that is what you want. I understand the mystique that is associated with strat, but realize that there are other options out there such as process improvement, change management, and IT, all of which has varying degrees of strat work involved.
If you really want to do strat, you have to start looking for strat work now. It doesn't matter whether the firm is McKinsey or Bob's Consulting, you need strat experience period. Obviously boutique firms are difficult to get, as are the Big 5 firms (strat side). I would suggest that you start easy. Find a business analyst position anywhere; it does not necessarily have to be a consulting firm. For example, I remember a few years ago the Permamente Company (associated with Kaiser) posted on the Cal job board for a business analyst. The point is that for you to start at this point, strat firms may not be the way to go. Instead get a position as a business analyst to boost your strat experience, which will lead you to B-school and/or increase your chances of getting into a strat firm a few years down the road.
Remember, experience counts a lot in this business.
Good luck, and GO BEARS.
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