MBB Public Sector
CS
(Neanderthal, 2,492
Points)
on 6/25/11 at 1:05pm
I'm heading into public sector consulting following an MPP from USC and was wondering about the various public sector practices the big firms have.
Is USC considered a target school for public sector consulting? Awkwardly expressed, but I think with the school's rep and being in LA, I would have thought the chances would be relatively high?
I'm largely looking at MBB and other larger firms (Roland Berger, OW etc).
Thoughts?





Hmm - didn't know MBB hired
Hmm - didn't know MBB hired public sector specialists straight out of grad school. Is that a common path, regardless of school?
Most public specialists thta
Most public specialists thta I know of in MBB are hired as "generalists" and after a year or two have the possibility of transitioning into a more public sector focused role.
pepsiholic wrote: Hmm -
Hmm - didn't know MBB hired public sector specialists straight out of grad school. Is that a common path, regardless of school?
I would have thought they would. I mean, solid public policy program should permit me opportunities.
consultingwiz07 wrote: Most
Most public specialists thta I know of in MBB are hired as "generalists" and after a year or two have the possibility of transitioning into a more public sector focused role.
So would that mean I would stand little chance to obtain a place at MBB following graduation? Various schools mention that public sector consulting is common for graduates and that they often have OCR in terms of workshops and practicums.
You have a shot, but you're
You have a shot, but you're probably better off at a shop that specializes in government/public sector work. It sounds like you're chasing prestige over the kind of work you're best suited for. You're not officially going to be able to specialize right off. It's up to staffing, which is essentially a crapshoot based on timing and who likes you. I have friends with Wharton degrees who did public sector for their first 6 months, and friends with government/poli sci degrees who haven't seen a public sector case.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of Starwood Points
petergibbons wrote: You have
You have a shot, but you're probably better off at a shop that specializes in government/public sector work.
Booz Allen is probably the largest, see http://managementconsulted.com/consulting-intervie... for more info and a list of competitors.
might be of interest - list
might be of interest - list of public sector consulting firms:
http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/resources_services/ca...
also:
http://firmsconsulting.com/2010/10/18/%E2%80%9Cis-...
24837 wrote: might be of
might be of interest - list of public sector consulting firms:
http://www.sipa.columbia.edu/resources_services/ca...
also:
http://firmsconsulting.com/2010/10/18/%E2%80%9Cis-public-sector-management-consulting-work-boring%E2%80%9D/
Thanks. Saw the SIPA list when I applied for the program. The article clears some questions though.
petergibbons wrote: You have
You have a shot, but you're probably better off at a shop that specializes in government/public sector work. It sounds like you're chasing prestige over the kind of work you're best suited for. You're not officially going to be able to specialize right off. It's up to staffing, which is essentially a crapshoot based on timing and who likes you. I have friends with Wharton degrees who did public sector for their first 6 months, and friends with government/poli sci degrees who haven't seen a public sector case.
Isnt a case where the shops that specialize in government work require clearance? Clearance often not given to non-US citizens?
You never said anything in
You never said anything in your post about not being a US citizen.
Life, liberty and the pursuit of Starwood Points
petergibbons wrote: You never
You never said anything in your post about not being a US citizen.
Yeah, sorry. I didn't consider it relevant until you mentioned government work. Am I right in thinking most of this type of work will require clearance?
Not sure about the PS groups
Not sure about the PS groups at other firms, but McKinsey doesn't hire PS specialists right out of school, at least not for Associate roles - you can go in with an MPP as a generalist and, as somone already mentioned, focus more on PS as you develop a spike in year 2 / 3. If you do want to do PS work right away, you should think carefuly about which offices you select - you're much more likely to get PS assignments if you're in DC or NY than the West Coast.
Also, don't think USC is a target for Associates.
charlie 09 wrote: Not sure
Not sure about the PS groups at other firms, but McKinsey doesn't hire PS specialists right out of school, at least not for Associate roles - you can go in with an MPP as a generalist and, as somone already mentioned, focus more on PS as you develop a spike in year 2 / 3. If you do want to do PS work right away, you should think carefuly about which offices you select - you're much more likely to get PS assignments if you're in DC or NY than the West Coast.
Also, don't think USC is a target for Associates.
Right, thanks for the info. With MBB, I assumed their recruitment into their PS offices mirrors their general recruitment, i.e analyst, associate.
From my research I agree on the East Coast PS assignments but I was hoping the USC name would transition well or ultimately I would be happy to remain in the West Coast for a few years.
No offense, but if MBB is the
No offense, but if MBB is the goal I wouldn't bank on the USC name. I think almost every straight MPP I've worked with is from Kennedy, and then there are a lot of combo degrees. Also, keep in mind that the majority of partners in the PS practices are MBAs even though they focus on PS.
I say the USC name because
I say the USC name because along with my undergrad and the fact that USC has a very well respected public policy school, I would be competitive.
MBB would be the goal however, being realistic, it is an uphill battle. Various smaller firms also offer PS practices so I will definitely consider them. I didnt want to consign myself by forgoing making an app to MBB.
charlie 09 wrote: No offense,
i work in federal consulting.
@OP The many comments
There were defintiely MPP's
signposts wrote: @OP The many
FinancialNoviceII
What would be the scenario
I would want do my MBA after
Bump
To OP, I know someone with
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Hug It Out
Ari_Gold wrote: To OP, I
Ari_Gold wrote: MBB is
Don't listen to these turds
FinancialNoviceII
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Hug It Out
Ari, I beg to
pptbeeyaach wrote: Ari, I beg
Citizenship requirement
abacab: DoD definitely
Shameless bump.
Sent you a message. Check it
"Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself".
I didnt actually go to USC in
I'm sorry to hear that. I've
"Teachers open the door, you enter by yourself".