What to do during undergrad?
Hey WSO! Long-time reader here, but this is my first time posting.
I'm currently a rising sophomore accounting major at a non-target state university doing a 5-year combined bachelors/masters program, but I'm hoping to do consulting at MBB rather than going the Big 4 public accounting route.
I'm looking for advice from people in the consulting industry on what I could do to really help my resume stand out. I plan on taking on leadership roles in clubs, getting a high GPA, all of the standard stuff, but those are all really typical things you'd see on any student's resume. So I want to know, what are some of the most interesting, non-typical things you've seen students do during their time in undergrad that helped them stand out from a recruiting standpoint? As well as which things MBB would look more highly upon than others? (i.e., is a more academic focus on extracurriculars better because MBB values intelligence?) I'm also trying to figure out what I should focus on next summer, since even then I'd still be too young to get a quality internship, right? (i.e., something at a consulting firm, or Big 4, etc.)
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts and advice! Thanks in advance!
Not currently in the "real world", but as a Senior in a non-target state school, I've learned quite a bit over the years. I've had many calls with MBB and other top-tier consultants and recruiters, and there are a few things that help candidates stand out.
Here's some ideas:
1). Coming from a non-target, you NEED a big brand name on your resume. Obviously you're not going to get an MBB internship next summer, but a solid finance/strategy/analytics role at a Fortune 100 or boutique firm will go a long way.
2). Do something on your own. If you're looking for MBB, you'll need to make it big, What I mean by this is some type of professional project that you initiated or are majorly responsible for. Examples might be a consulting project with a Fortune 100, winning a case or business plan competition, working on a large scale service/economics project with a major charity or the government of a small foreign country. It seems like a LOT of MBB consultants have one of these unique experiences that really sets them apart. However, you must be really, really proactive in finding/creating these opportunities!
3). Take the GMAT your final year (around August) and knock it out of the park. If you can get an elite score, it will give your resume a LOT of credibility
Of course, all of this while maintaining a strong GPA (>3.7) and showing leadership in extra-curriculars :)
@rsmbb Thanks for the advice! I really agree with #2 in terms of helping me stand out, and I've been spending the last week or so trying to brainstorm some big ideas but haven't been able to figure out exactly what I should do yet. I was trying to think of ideas for maybe an online business I could start, or something similar (mostly because it would help demonstrate entrepreneurial idea-generation and real world problem solving skills). You listed some good ideas to think about, so I'll keep at it!
bump
Approximately where does your college place on the US News Rankings?
On the US News national university rankings, it's in the 40 - 50 range.
you need a stellar GPA for sure. if you can get involved in a consulting case competition at your school (assuming it has one) and do well at that it'll be useful. you need to spend a lot of time practicing consulting style questions for interviews as well.
Thanks for the advice wallstreetcatalyst. And just to confirm - by "consulting style questions for interviews" do you mean business case analysis (case interview) questions? Or fit interview questions?
business case. those will be much more important than the behavioral questions. interviewers use the case questions to see how you think.
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