Should I take a B4 Return Offer?
Currently a sophomore at a non-target. I manage to secure a spot in one of the big 4's sophomore internship programs in consulting for this summer.
Reading around the forum it seems that B4 isn't held in that high of a regard and some don't even consider it real consulting. If given a return offer for my junior summer should I take it or just go back into recruiting? My school is a complete non-target for consulting; the only places that really recruit here are for back office positions in banking operations so I'm not sure how that would pan out.
It depends on what the position is. If it's Deloitte S&O, EY-Parthenon, S& then I'd say you're in a good boat. If you're working in B4 advisory then your assumptions would be correct. Since you're a sophomore you have a lot of time, I would begin networking with higher tier firms (even if you are at one of the B4 strat divisions I listed above), and see if you can network your way into some interviews. Let your contacts know the circumstances of your return offer (if you get one), and they should accommodate you.
You have a solid internship as a sophomore. Make sure you apply the pressure with grades and involvement, and with the right amount of networking you could have a shot at bigger and better things.
Do you have any other internship offers? An internship after sophomore year at a firm with a name people recognize when coming from a non-target when the next best alternative is..... mowing lawns? Seems like a no-brainer.
Re: the "is it real consulting" question.... what kind of consulting do you want to do? Strategy? Operations? Tech? HR? "Consulting" is an extremely broad term. If you're unsure, perhaps you can use this summer to at least decide what you do and don't like about whatever you get assigned. Out of curiosity, is it a rotational program where you'll have access to a few different groups or will you be focused on one group? At your age diversity is gold - learning what you do and don't like not only focuses your ambitions but gives great ammunition for future interviews.... interviewers would much prefer to hear a cerebral critique of your experience than "I'm interested in Consulting because my Economics degree makes me an ideal candidate for the quantitative rigors of consulting and my communications skills I developed as part of the [insert bullshit club here] will position me well to speak to high-ranking client executives" (you won't believe how many Ivy Leage, 3.8 GPA kids drop this generic BS....).
No other offers, but I worked hard to keep a 3.8, good extracurriculars and networking to get this one. I read WSO threads frequently to practice for the interviews and it has me wondering if the bar I jumped over was ever high to begin with.
It's not a rotational program it's just the tech consulting group (that would be just one group right?). As a sophomore I really don't know what I like, but I liked the idea of consulting and love technology so that's what I was gunning for.
I see everywhere how MBB is leagues ahead of the big 4 and I know one of them has a BTO line. It seems that if I want to switch from big 4 to MBB I'll need an MBA. I'd just like to know if I'm starting off my career in a place that puts me in a good position in terms of salary and future career options, or if I'm just starting in an 'ok' place.
Is it risk assurance or implementations? Honestly, either is great as a sophomore, especially coming from a non-target. If you get a return offer for another internship AND are a high performer (not just "meets expectations") you may be able to intern in another group your junior year (or for a FT offer) if you can bring something to the table and get some partners in your corner.
Realistically think about what the alumni go into from your school. If you don't already have alums at any other firms it won't be very easy to become the first (and you will usually need an "in" to be the person that changes things). If they shoot higher, so can you. If not, you can try but don't bank on being the special one that changes things. I will be candid though, I came from a Big 4 with a well-respected consulting arm and they wouldn't even look at a resume for consulting (or most advisory roles) without a degree from a top school or an MBA.
Whether this opportunity is "consulting" or not is really in how you define it. Yes, you will be consulting for management in some capacity or another... But it's not "management consulting" as people think of here. That's ok though, it's a great opportunity and you have plenty of time to determine whether or not it's the right fit. People here glamorize "management consulting" but there are plenty of people who prefer the lifestyle of IT consulting as well... They just don't tend to hang out on these boards.
You can go Big 4 -> MBA -> MBB easily. In some practice areas you also can go Big 4 -> Mid-tier without the MBA, possibly with another job and some expertise in between.
It's not anything involving risk or audit, the line the internship is in is tech advisory, so would that be implementations? (Sorry if I'm wrong). Online it says there's tech strategy involved but I doubt it's a very large percentage of the work. That's good to hear that I won't be shooting myself in the foot on the MBA front though, thanks.
Ok, it's probably technology strategy consulting. A lot of times the strategy component is designing implementing system or process changes. Sometimes there are some greater transformation efforts to rebrand an IT practice under that umbrella as well.
I believe you'll be in the sort of groups known as CTO or CIO Advisory consulting.
Take it. If you have no other offers. It will only help you, not make your career goals worse. Any experience especially from a Non-Target is always a positive outlook. Also, think of the many people who would like to take your spot in a heart beat. It is also a great opportunity to learn new things. Always go in with an "open" mindset to learning new things in new environments.
Hiten
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