I got an interview at a MBB for an internship, but I want to try VC beforehand. Would it harm my chances to get into consulting?

Hello everyone,

I am a b-school student who switched from engineering to business one year and a half ago. My motive is to found my start-up some day (but not soon - student loan, etc.). I'd like to get into consulting and stay maybe 3-4 years after I graduate in order to get some experience before starting my own thing. (Consultants make good entrepreneurs, right ?)

I took a gap year to do two six-months long internships, did the first one in business development at a medium-sized company, and got offered another one at a VC firm (which is pretty rare where I come from, there would be only 6-7 active VC funds in the region).
Two days after I accepted the offer, a MBB called me back for an interview. (I did the itw 2 days ago). But even if they offer me an internship, I can't accept it since I have already given my answer to the VC.

So my question(s) is :

Can an internship in VC, instead of consulting, harm my chances to get into consulting after I graduate, for a full-time job ?
Has anyone done the switch from VC to consulting, as an intern ?

Is there any way to negotiate with the consulting firm to postpone the starting date of the internship ? Or even to convert it to a full-time job, with a a delayed start ?

All constructive criticism and answers are welcome.

3 Comments
 

I definitely wouldn't renege on the VC offer, as it seems like it would tie into your overall long term goals of running your own start up. I wouldn't think that it would hurt you necessarily, so long as the experience is up to par. Perhaps reach out and ask if they can postpone for a few months?

There's a closer meaning to my user name. Try reading it quickly. Perhaps you will then understand ;P
 

Ya, consulting firms are pretty open to taking interns from other disciplines. There's a lot of investment banking summer analysts who make the switch to consulting for full-time. You just need a good story.

 

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