advice for someone almost 2 years out

I graduated in 2011 from an Ivy (see username), 3.8, 1500+ SATs, etc. I worked at MIT/Sloan for a year doing operations research, specifically startup strategy, helped a prof write case studies and develop a curriculum, and from there I went to work at a startup, developing its operational and marketing strategy. I've been doing that for 8 months, and - surprise! - it's starting to tank. It's a tough world out there.

I want to get into consulting now, specifically management or strategy (or geo-political strategy). I've never really had a go at this, save for one final round interview with BCG back in 2010, of which nothing came. I'm great with interviews and cases, perhaps shittier at networking. My question is:

How difficult is it to transition into consulting after ~1.7 years of relevant job experience? Ideally, I'd like to get into MBB, and I am willing to network/brownnose the shit out of countless leads to wrangle an interview - but 1) is this actually possible or likely, and 2) would they stick me into their incoming analyst class, or what? Is that conventional for a somewhat recent college grad? Or should I pack up and look elsewhere?

 
Best Response

Getting an MBA is probably the easiest path, but I'm constantly surprised at the number of people on here who default to on campus recruiting as the only way to get into these firms.

Yeah, it's probably the easiest but networking your way in is also entirely do-able....you just have to be good at it. Develop a strong story around why you want to lateral into consulting now, and then work absolutely every lead you have into these firms. If you've got a strong track record in industry, they'll bring you in at the level between undergrad and MBA hires.

You'll also have way more luck at the elite Tier 2's than you will at MBB.

 

Et fuga facere mollitia perferendis vitae qui nihil. Ut nam praesentium suscipit enim fugit recusandae. Omnis itaque animi facilis in nam.

Illo non nisi voluptate nihil sunt iste qui. Alias est et sint et magnam ab. Atque est omnis nisi suscipit. Ut ea pariatur quaerat vel quasi et amet. Et qui quisquam ut consequatur odit expedita nesciunt.

Iure qui nostrum porro cumque perferendis ut minima. Et reiciendis minima aut aut omnis in hic ut. Amet ab temporibus ut aliquam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (99) $225
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Senior Consultant (329) $130
  • Consultant (586) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (145) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (342) $102
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1046) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (547) $67
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”