Non Finance/Econ Masters and MBB Recruiting

yah I know a senior guy at a MBB with Pharmasy PHD. As long as its a hardcore degree MBB will like it... By hardcore I mean JD, PHD, Ms Physics, Engerineering, CS, Math...

Well if I've understood you correctly, then it seems a master's in political economy wouldn't be looked upon so favorably?

Why would you do that degree to get into banking? Banks will think you either are not interested in quanitative information or you are a short timer and have a higher chance of burning out.

With that degree you will not be recruited. If you bust your ass you might make it in, however a master's in political economy will hurt more than help.

baylor, I assume you meant "consulting" rather than "banking"?

I know someone who went from Kennedy School to MBB...not sure whether it was directly after Kennedy or whether he had a couple more years of military service in between, but I'm pretty sure MBB was his first civilian job after Kennedy.

After all, it's a Harvard degree. I don't think you're going to have the door slammed in your face.

I have met MBB consultants with PhDs in physics, chemistry and engineering. I never met any consultant with a degree in political science, though.

Nevertheless, a Harvard degree will not, I suppose, be frowned upon, be it in some non-subject like theology.

At what level will one enter after a Masters Degree from a known school ( not MBA ) and few years of work ex in a small firm ? Analyst or Associate.

Thanks

it makes huge sense for a regular consulting co. to hire chem, phys, engin, pharma, etc experts - they serve clients in relevant industries after all. they need experts to shed light on the nature of the industry. political science on the other hand is a bit irrelevant for most. try booz. they do lots of govt consulting. then again might as well just sign up for the nsa or something... but booz split a while ago so i'm not sure which booz you'd be interested in.

random hackneyed words of wisdom

I did think about it logically. What you say makes sense. On the other hand, I've heard about people with degrees in, say, IR coming from targets and going to MBB. Maybe the several stories I've heard about those situations were the exception to the rule, but it was enough to pique my interest.

I am aware that consulting firms want people with good experience/education in relevant fields. I'm trying to figure out what the demand is for some other backgrounds.

Also, judging from the responses, the emphasis seems to be on hard science backgrounds. I had assumed people with degrees from good schools in econ/finance would be attractive candidates. Is it just that they are more attractive than liberal arts degrees but not as much as others?

I'm 90% certain McKinsey recruits at Harvard KSG. They even have a consulting fair (see http://www.hks.harvard.edu/degrees/oca/upcoming-career-events/highlight… ) although it doesn't list the companies attending.

Can't speak to Woody Woo or LSE, but I can't see why they would recruit at one and not the other two.