| Topic Name: |
3 Questions about entry-level consulting |
| Message Name: |
nice use of TLAs |
| Date Posted: |
07/13/2003 |
| In Reply To: |
Hi,
I have three questions for anyone who has some knowledge and experience in Mgt. Consulting in the Chicago Area.
I am a recent graduate with a B.S. in Business Management looking to get started in the consulting industry. I graduated with a 3.7 and have some solid experience from both internships and class work.
Currently, I'm looking at jobs in Chicago. I know the market is tough right now as I've received rejections for interviews from McKinsey, BCG, & Bain. (My top three choices)
I have an interview with with Smith, Bucklin, & Associates on Monday and am interested in their company...but I"m not sure it's the right place for me to launch my career.
I was really looking for more corporate experience...somewhere where I could get cross-trained in a lot of different areas.
Here are my questions.
1) SBA is an association management consulting firm. I was wondering what their reputation is like and will I get the kind of training and experience there necessary to allow me to move on to one of the larger firms later on.
2) What is the typical salary range for an entry level consultant? On my first phone interview they were already talking salary with me and the numbers seemed really low. Like 23K - 27K. I had been planning for the 35K-45K range. Am I way off base?
3) At this point in time, would it be wise to take an offer and get my foot in the door in this field...or should I hold out and try my luck with other companies like Mercer who better fit my criteria?
Any insights would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
P.S. Happy 4th of July! |
| Message: |
1) Never heard of SBA. But I did find their website.
2) Be wary of firms who call their people consultants but really are doing hard-sell sales, cold calling, and other work that does not benefit your professional development. I am always amazed how smart people fall for stupid jobs just because of the title. The graphics people and other admin types hired fresh from college at M/B/B get more than 23K-27K. So are you really doing consulting to senior managers, or are you selling trade-show space, as the website seems to indicate?
3) The offer sounds crappy. Fact is that McKinsey Chicago has eliminated its BA program and Bain and BCG make offers only in November to kids from Ivy League programs or in Chicago, UMich and Northwestern with maybe a Hoosier or an Illini or a SLACer. So don't take the rejections there personally. Look at some second tier firms before you start selling trade-show space while working for beans.
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