Possible to jump from Management Consulting to Banking/Asset Management?

Hi everyone,
I am an international division 1 student-athlete studying in the United States at a top 15 undergraduate business school that would fall under the "semi target" tier. Due to not being prepared freshmen year for the rigor of a top academic institution as well as being an athlete that had to manage the work load and several concussions, my GPA is not that competitive 2.8. Despite this I have managed to pull off decent experience on my resume, but the GPA has been holding me back with recruiting.

I am not complaining about my current situation, and am playing by the cards that have been dealt to me. There is an international management consulting firm (think from Germany, Swiss, France, Spain, Latin America) from where I am from that opened up their offices in the US a couple years ago and are looking for first years, and they are very interested in me. Their clients are mostly financial institutions and other firms in the financial services. Would working for a consulting firm like this for 1-2 years allow me to potentially switch to a career in finance, which is where my true passion is.
Thank you

 

Yes it is! Two options, either you try to get in before doing an MBA or Master in Finance (common in UK) or you're going there after your MBA (you will need to get a summer internship at a Bulge Bracket etc though).

For your first option you need to rely on your own network or cold call people and try to get referrals that land you an interview. You should have consulting experience in corporate finance, M&A or PE due diligence work though, a former M&A internship is beneficial as well. Practicing financial modelling and accounting won't hurt. This route is more uncertain, but I know people that made successful switches from small consult boutiques and BCG/McK taking this approach.

 

a 2.8 will not allow you to get into investment banking or s&t right out of the gates. Consulting can be good (especially if it is your only offer) if you can spin it off nicely on your resume. I am a D1 athlete as well and you really need to utilize your network to the best of your ability. Online applications will be a shit-show for you with your gpa. You need to start reaching out and develop relationships with people within finance who can help you.

What sport did you play and what area are you trying to break into?

 
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