Advice for FT: No Consulting Experience

I'm currently a junior in college very interested in consulting. The problem is, I don't have any notable consulting experience, be it an internship or any related ECs. I recruited for economic consulting firms this year for SA, ended up getting some interviews/Superdays but zero offers. Then with the current public health crisis, my only chance at a solid internship was cancelled, so I will most likely be doing research with a professor this summer.

Here's the thing. I go to a non-target for most firms (large state school + zero alumni at most firms), but I'm studying economics and statistics and have a 4.0 cumulative GPA + some interesting ECs. Does anyone have any advice how I can best set myself up for success for FT recruiting given my background? I understand certain firms may be out of the question at this point, but management consulting or economic consulting is definitely where I can see myself after graduation.

Thanks so much!

6 Comments
 

Hey Prospect in Other, I'm the WSO Monkey Bot and I'm here since nobody responded to your thread! Bummer...could just be time of day or unlucky (or the question/topci is too vague or too specific). Maybe one of these topics will help:

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Def network with people who might have things in common with you like same city, or school or something. maybe ask your professor if he/she know someone in consulting. That’s the only way to get interviews at top firms from non target. you can also network with people in Big 4 which recruits from your school. I’d also start prepping for cases right now as it takes a while to get use to doing those in person. this should set you up for MBB/B4/tier2 firms. I’ve zero experience with Economic consulting so can’t help u there. hope this helps:)

 

Also you have an impressive GPA and most people who recruit for consulting don’t have consulting internships so you are not alone. A lot of networking and your GPA should be enough to get you an interview at least at big 4/ACN.

 

thank you so much for the advice! :) in terms of networking, should I be getting on that asap or is there an ideal time to start to maximize FT chances? and is Linkedin the way to go? I know a lot of things have changed with the current national situation so I'm trying to get a sense of the application timeline/when hiring will pick up. I didn't network at all for economic consulting interviews but definitely still gonna change my strategy because I really want a job after graduation lol

 

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