Sophomore Internship For Consulting?
Hey guys, I am a sophomore at Cornell studying a social science major with a 3.4 gpa that will probably be brought up to a 3.5 by the end of spring semester. Last summer (after freshman year) I did a local private wealth management internship and have realized that finance and the culture surrounding it is not for me. Simultaneously I became a lot more interested in consulting and general business strategy and was hoping to work in consulting after Cornell. MBB doesn't really recruit here (some kids will get it, but those are usually the big-time campus leaders or hella connected waspy kids) so I will be focusing on tier 2 consulting (Deloitte, ATK, Oliver Wyman, etc.). I am not URM so I do not qualify for the diversity programs.
1) Does consulting firms recruit heavily out of their intern classes (like investment banks) or do they utilize full time recruiting more?
2) What type of internship should I shoot for this summer? I have been applying to a bunch through websites and Cornell's career portal, mostly basic business development and marketing internships, but I have not had much luck. Not been formally rejected, but haven't had any interview offers yet (I did for some BB IB summer programs, but again I am not interested in IB).
3) Will opportunities open up in the next few months, or has recruitment ended with the fall IB and Consulting recruitment.
4) General advice for breaking into consulting?
Sorry if I sound kind of lost, but I am trying to learn as much as I can. Never heard about IB or consulting before college, so it has been an adjustment.
Thanks
Cornell should be a target or semi-target for the MBB firms. But to be honest, you should aim to get your GPA up to 3.7+ to even get a shot at interview for most consulting firms.
1) Yes, but not as much as investment banks. Consulting firms usually offer almost all their interns to return, but the majority of full-time classes are still hired out of full-time. If I had to guess, I think most firms shoot for a 25% returning interns, 75% new hires in their full-time classes, but this varies firm to firm.
2) For this summer, shoot for a brand name firm. Consulting firms like brand name F500 type internships because it's easier for them to understand exactly what you were doing over the summer. To be honest, BB IB internship is a great for consulting, and will often land you an interview, this happens for many BB IB interns. If those aren't available, find an opportunity where you feel like you'll be mentored well and can have strong impact.
3) You need to get on this now, alot of opportunities have likely passed. Spend a lot of time looking for an internship. It might not be too late, but you can't wait for opportunities to come to you. you need to seek them out. Check Cornell job boards, ask family friends, and ASK UPPERCLASSMEN if they know of good opps/what they've done in the past.
4) Besides raising your GPA, you need to try to find some leadership positions in clubs at Cornell.
Good luck
is the 3.7+ GPA only applicable for soft majors or is that the case across the board?
At a target, soft liberal arts majors (ex. Philosophy, Classics, English) etc probably are expected to get a 3.8+. "Harder" liberal arts majors (ex. Math, Physics) might be more around 3.7+
I've seen engineering majors at top target Engineering schools squeeze by with 3.5+ (I was one), but you'll really need to make up for it with internship/leadership experience.
EDIT: I should clarify this is for MBB, but tbh, at target schools I don't find that Tier 2 firms drop those standards by much at all.
MBB and other consulting internship recruiting for a Sophomore (Originally Posted: 07/20/2016)
I'm aware that options for a college sophomore internship are limited, especially for someone who is not a diversity candidate (myself). I'm very interested in MBB after college and attend what is likely a semi-target, this summer doing an internship at a rapidly growing tech startup.
Is it worthwhile to push for some kind of MBB internship for next summer already, or would trying and failing reduce the possibility of a Junior year internship? I have better connections at a tier 2 which I may be able to turn into an internship, but I would be willing to start pushing now for an MBB if it is a viable option. My school has recruiting for MBB, but other than any formal events I hear about and possibly reaching out directly to recruiters / preparing for case interviews what else can I do in the meantime to maximize my odds? I would of course not be worried about a failed attempt for next summer if I wouldn't be dinged and/or it would help my profile through early interest/drive. Thanks guys
Trying for a MBB internship next summer is a smart idea, and at the very least will display preliminary interest to those you reach out to. Networking as early as possible is always good.
If it doesn't work out, Deloitte S&O in Bermuda could be a solid back up.
Any of the MBB's offer sophomore internships? (Originally Posted: 04/26/2016)
Any of the MBB's offer sophomore internships? Would like to apply for Bain if they have one especially.
Closest thing Bain has to sophomore internships is the BEL program for black and Hispanic students.
BCG is similar. In general, my sense is MBB sophomore opportunities are limited to diversity candidates, whereas BB finance has more wiggle room for outstanding non-diversity candidates.
Just go ahead and make that 3/3 for programs reserved for diversity candidates.
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