Exit Opportunities of internal strategy/finance vs lesser know consulting firm

I'm finishing the first semester of my MBA this week, and I'm considering my potential internship opportunities. I was hoping to go into consulting, but I've already been turned down by MBB and Deloitte S&O for first round interviews - likely due to a weak GPA. Based off of my networking, I think I've got a decent shot at the following internships for next summer:

Walmart E3 North Highland Consulting PwC DDV HD Supply Strategic Initiatives American Airlines Finance Strategy

There are others, but I've identified these as being the most likely. I'm also applying to Amazon, but I've got no idea where I stand there.

The biggest appeal to consulting for me is the exit opportunities after a few years. Do you all have any insight on the exit opportunities of a program like E3 vs a lesser know consulting firm like North Highland?

I'd be happy to provide more details if needed.

Thanks

5 Comments
 

You can always take the internship that interests you most crush it and reapply for the firms you want again in the fall. Lots of people don’t get internships at the big consulting firms but get full time offers. A name like Walmart or Amazon would look great on the resume when FT recruiting starts next year.

 

That's the plan for right now.

In the event that that doesn't work out though, do you have any insight on what the exit opportunities would be for these programs after 3-5 years of full time employment? Or is signing on with one of these firms typically a long term commitment?

 
Best Response
"JackD74" I'm finishing the first semester of my MBA this week, and I'm considering my potential internship opportunities. I was hoping to go into consulting, but I've already been turned down by MBB and Deloitte S&O for first round interviews - likely due to a weak GPA. Based off of my networking, I think I've got a decent shot at the following internships for next summer:

Walmart E3 North Highland Consulting PwC DDV HD Supply Strategic Initiatives American Airlines Finance Strategy

There are others, but I've identified these as being the most likely. I'm also applying to Amazon, but I've got no idea where I stand there.

The biggest appeal to consulting for me is the exit opportunities after a few years. Do you all have any insight on the exit opportunities of a program like E3 vs a lesser know consulting firm like North Highland?

I'd be happy to provide more details if needed.

Thanks

Walmarts E3 Finance & Strategy program is highly regarded and would definitely look better than lesser known consulting firm internships. It's easier to spin wanting Fortune 1 strategy experience vs a tier 3 consulting one. I personally know several people who did a Walmart E3 MBA internship and ended up at MBB consulting and BB banking full time. Of course it helped they also went to M7 programs.

 

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