Am I screwed?
Current consulting intern at B4 non-strategy in NYC. I feel like despite attending a target school, getting decent grades (3.75), and being involved extracurricularly/professionally, I’m not in the spot I want to be exiting college. I feel if I were to work for a “better” firm/practice I would perform well.
I didn’t have a crazy connection, sophomore year internship, or any programs to get me through internship recruiting and I believe that has hindered my progression a lot. I’m not really sure where to go from here — staying at my current firm would be fine, but I’d be far happier if I could work for a T2/MBB/etc with more interesting work, higher pay, and better exits. More prestigious + better paying FT positions are hard to come by this year with the current economy and I feel like I’m screwed for not starting stronger. I’m open to pivoting industries, but I just don’t really know what to do from here.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know:
Refine Your Company Search:
Networking:
Interview Preparation:
Consider Other Opportunities:
Take a Breather:
Stay Persistent:
Remember, many successful professionals didn't start at their dream firms but worked their way up through persistence and strategic career moves. Keep pushing forward, and don't be afraid to pivot if necessary.
Sources: Any other targets get screwed by this year's Summer Analyst recruiting cycle? What are your plans now?, Q&A: Nontarget school->Big 4 Consulting/M&A-> VP of Strategy at Series B startup., Did my GPA screw up my application?, Am I Screwed? Feeling desperate in job search despite strong academic profile, Consulting Recruiting 2023
I really don't respond to posts on these forums haha -- I prefer to watch and learn. But, something about your comment caught my attention... maybe its because I've often felt the same way. I've been interested in navigating the professional world for a long time; I remember watching youtube videos about business schools and MBB as far back as highschool. With that said, I didn't break into some fancy H/Y/P undergrad and have yet to complete a really competitve internship. I mean, I've had some level of professional success (like everyone else on this platform), but it isn't where I want it. Sometimes that really bothers me, if I'm honest. Especially considering the domino effect of early career...
I only bother mentioning that because I want you to know that I empathize haha.
As for your question:
I think that the world (and especially the highly competitive world of name-brand business) has a degree of randomness to it. It depends on the economic cycle, your race, your gender, your parents, the headlines, how the resume-screener was feeling that day, and lots of other factors we really can't control. If you're anything like me (White or Asian Male with limited connections), a lot of those random factors might seem to be working against you haha. So, you might be cooked... BUT, does that matter?
The upper echelon of the world has put a lot of time and money into developing their brands and positioning themselves as prestigious. What does prestigious really mean, though? The pay is comparable to a really good door-to-door salesman... The societal value can't compare with medicine or military... The work/life balance is some of the worst in the world... Where's the prestige in this?
I think that there is a huge amount of opportunity outside of name-brand business (MBB or Goldman, etc). People start companies that are extremely successful and fulfilling ALL THE TIME! Maybe you're not into entrepreneurship... thats fine haha. Just my two cents.
As a final note... and maybe this is counterintuitive given my disparaging remarks... I wouldn't give up, yet. I'm a believer in the power of brand and I'd like to think that we're still relatively young in our careers. Honestly, you can do anything. Maybe message a few alumni from your school who are where you want to be; seriously! The fact that you can do that demonstrates just how lucky you are! If you, by the end of the day, can be in touch with one or two friendly faces in the industry/company/school you wish you could go to... you're leagues ahead of the other 7.951 billion people in the world.
Practical next steps (if you're sure that you want to do this)
- Delay your graduation a year to get another crack at summer internships (get a minor?)
- Apply to Top 20 Masters Programs for your major or related... and then pivot post-masters
- Consider hiring a career coach
- Go crazy and really differentiate yourself; write a book, run for office, start a profitable business
- Learn about and apply to as many niche competitve things as you can... you might just land in something (Harvard PRIMO, Accenture Innovation Challenge, Fulbright, etc)
Believe in yourself! You've got this! Then, when you're in, be generous in your letters of rec and references!
u can’t be screwed having a B4 SA in consulting lol, for a lot of people that would be “making it” in their eyes. Eventually if u keep networking and applying you’ll get hits. Big 4 on the resume will get u farther then u think , good luck
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