Introduction - Looking to maximize chances of Tier 1/Tier 2 Consulting Firm over the next couple of years.
Background:
-Received a BSEE in Electrical Engineering and then a BA in English from a Top 25 Private Liberal Arts College (two degrees, not dual major). Undergrad GPAs are my biggest concern…very low (2.9/2.95)
-Global MBA; this program was certainly not top tier, but it was amazing/interesting. Flagship program at large public US University that allowed 14 candidates to travel the world while studying. Visited 60 countries on 6 continents while living at 5 satellite campuses. Diploma issued by US university in Switzerland. One of a kind program. GPA again not great – 3.45
-Currently active duty Army Infantry Officer. Getting out in less than a year as a Captain.
Assumptions/Goals:
-I’ve applied to an Oxbridge English Masters program. If I’m accepted next month, I will take a military deferment to push matriculation to the following fall. Let’s assume I get in…
-I’d like to stay on for the 3-year PhD (personal/life goal).
-I’d like to pursue consulting with summer internships and ultimately gain an offer to a respectable firm. I’ll be 34 when/if I finish the PhD so I’d like to go running into a career after all the education business is done.
Questions:
-Is this path just way too nontraditional or could it work?
-What’s my best shot at networking for an internship? I’ll be off cycle and even though I’d be at Oxbridge, I’m not sure my program would be viewed as a viable candidate for the internship…especially considering I also have my MBA. When’s the best time to try and slot one? I'm assuming I'm fairly off cycle. I could fit one in before starting the Masters by just exiting the Army a couple months early (I’ll be past my commitment already, so this is easily doable). Or I could try for one the summer after the masters?
-Is my undergrad GPA simply too low to be overcome? What Tier should I be targeting? Current goal is MBB (obviously) or Big 4, but is this realistic?
Thanks for any help - already excited to have found this forum.
