Internation Non-MBA student seeking help~~~Bow~~

Hey guys~~ I've been here for a couple of days to view your posts.

My case is a little bit special: First I am an international student, second I am a non-MBA master candidate. Third I am not in one of the first tie school(USC, no offense)... These three factors almost kill any opportunity of me to get into consulting ! I got my bachelor in a second-tie university in my home country. Consulting position is so competitive that the top firms only hire students from top 5 schools. In order to pursue my dream to work in a consulting firm, I come to US. So now I am in a mathematics master program and it's the same major with my undergraduate's( I didn't change my major because I thought it might be easy to get to US if I go on with the same major). But now, the opportunity to apply for an internship is so slight. There are few companies willing to hire F-1 students, let alone non-MBA masters...

So here, I am sincerely asking for help: Can anyone lead me a specific road to consulting? What should I do to add chance? Taking classes in business school at USC to gain business background? Or anything else? I know the opportunity is little, but as though there is, I will try and insist.

Thanks in advance.~~ Any comment is welcome~~

3 Comments
 
Best Response

That's a bit harsh, IBnutz! Let's try to be helpful here.

ViTaMin, the reality is that it's too tough a job market out there for most firms to hire international students. I don't have that much experience, but I would do one of the following:

1) If you are not short on cash, then take a non-paid internship position while staying in school for another semester or two (of it's possible).

2) If you are short on cash, then maybe you should consider finding other types of jobs, either in the States or in your home country.

As I understand, if you are on a student visa, you can stay in the US for a year after graduation. During that year, as long as you have a position with any company (even non-profits or university research units), you can stay in the US. If you take that route, then I would think about studying for the GMAT and apply to a Master in Accountany program at a top university here in the States. There is always demand for accountants, and you can go into other lines of businesses (such as consulting) if you have a MS in Accountancy.

Hope this helps!

 

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