Tips on how to avoid getting slotted into tech consulting roles as an engineer looking for management/strategy consulting roles
I am an incoming freshman at the University of Michigan. I was accepted to Ross and engineering but decided to skip the dual degree and major in just industrial engineering, with a minor in business down the road, which means I will not be in Ross. I have been talking to some upperclassmen and alums, and I've heard something arise a couple of times: that Big 4/other tier 2 firms (haven't heard this about MBB) will try to recruit me into tech consulting roles. This is something I absolutely do not want. I will be taking precautions with the business minor, strategy/management related internships, joining a business frat, etc., but do you all have any tips and how to avoid this and go after only strategy/management roles within these firms?
I'm not sure how the application process works at your university, but just don't apply to those roles? The Big 4 are pretty clear about which service line they're hiring for and the processes are different for each. You'll have to also take care to make your resume/experience stand out to be considered for the roles you want.
With Industrial engineering, you would have an advantage to land supply chain/operations consulting. Once in, you could network your way into the project/team of your choice.
Sometimes it isn’t as simple as “don’t apply for those roles”. Being in the industry, I know enough people who have applied and been told that the company really wants them to join, but in the tech consulting division.
OP, the way you get around this is by being a standout candidate for the specific role you’re applying for. That means a top CV and top interviews. It also means when it comes to the “why this role?” question, you have a very good reason and it’s very clear from your story that you only have interest for that role. You need to impress them to the extent that they think you’re the best candidate they’ve seen and the need you on their team (not just in their company).
Honestly, it’s not too different to how you’d go for any job. Just make sure your story is solid.
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