Cognizant to MBA to MBB?
Hi everyone I decided to create a thread since this has been on my mind for several weeks now. I currently work for Cognizant as an IT Consultant and I've been thinking about making a jump over to IT Strategy consulting. I've started to develop an interest in IT Strategy but I don't know where to start. MBB would definitely be one of my goals but I think I would probably have to get my MBA in order to land a job there. I have a few friends working at Bain as analysts right out of college that I could probably speak to.
I've been with the company since June 2012 and I'm working on my first engagement but I don't see myself doing this type of work long term. I would like a more competitive salary so I don't think I see myself staying long. I graduated from Syracuse University with a 3.4 GPA in Information Management & Technology and I worked at JPMorgan Chase on a co-op for 8 months during my junior year. I had a handful of extra-curricular activities in school.. I was president of my fraternity my senior year, I was active in a few student organizations and I also studied abroad my sophomore year in Asia. I currently serve on the executive board on a national level for my fraternity as well. I'm also on track to receive my CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) from the PMI (Project Management Institute).
My questions are.. should I try to lateral over to a more prestigious firm before applying to an MBA program? What type of roles should I look out for that would make me more marketable to an MBA program and also MBB? How many years should I wait before applying to an MBA program? Which MBA schools should I aim for? My current engagement is about to end in a few months and I don't know if I should try to make the jump to another firm around that time or should I stay on for my second engagement then take it from there?
Thanks in advance everyone.
Okay, here we go: First of all, getting into MBB is for the elite obv...its good that you have contacts within, but you will not just be able to get in because a few of your friend analysts that work there. So, here is what I recommend, before applying or even thinking of applying for an MBA, think about cost, GMAT, exit opps. Personally, you just waste time and money on an MBA if it isn't top 10, maybe you can go as far as top 15, but usually MBB wants top 10. Now, in order to be considered for a MBA, you would need work exp., and looks like you only have about 6-7 months FT exp. after college + J.P. internship for 8 months...usually you would want 2 years of solid experience and great GMAT score to get into a top 10 b school, not saying it isn't possible to get in with having under 2 and average GMAT, because obv. that happens too.
I say you lateral over to a more prestigious firm (as you have said), in the role that you want to do, like IT strategy consulting, and see where that takes you. You can check out the BIG 4, or other MM shops...wait until after your first engagement...you ask, "What type of roles should I look out for that would make me more marketable to an MBA program and also MBB?" Well, that depends. Do you want to do strictly IT consulting or do you want to explore other areas of business?
Also, it's great that you have so many extra-curricular activities, that's def. a plus.
Currently I'm looking to go into IT consulting but that's because it's the only area I'm familiar with. I also majored in Information Management & Technology in my undergrad. I have an interest in technology but I would be open to other areas of consulting.
ddp34, thanks for the tip.
It's easier to break into Tier 2s and Big 4s in their IT Strategy/CIO Advisory practice as an Analyst/Associate. Out of Big 4, only 3 have CIO Advisory - PwC, KPMG and EY. Deloitte is not on the list because their IT Strategy jobs are in Deloitte Consulting. Tier 2 consists of Deloitte Consulting, Kurt Salmon, North Highland, etc.,
If you really want to pursue IT Consulting, I don't necessarily think MBA will add a whole lot of value if you can lateral into these firms. Once you get into these firms, a lot of the top partners and directors are not really MBAs. The only reason for getting your MBA would thus be for M/B/B and I am not sure if there is a substantial difference between the IT Strategy projects MBB do and IT Strategy projects Big 4s do. Yes, Big 4s do operational level projects but that is not a reason alone to go blow up 200k on a top MBA + the loss in pay. I do think the difference between MBB and Big4s is not that much especially in IT Strategy consulting. People can correct me if am wrong in my assumption.
What do you guys think is better? Tier 2 or a Big 4 firm?
Just curious.. where is Accenture ranked?
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