Toronto Consulting Advice Needed (Urgent!)
I am from Canada and I'll be going to one of 2 grad schools in Sept, and I need to make up my mind by the end of this week. I would like to work with BCG (or some of the other top firms in Toronto) in corporate financial / international trade-related consulting after graduating my Masters, but I'm not sure what would give me the best shot.
1) Universita Bocconi (Milan, Italy) - MSc International Management
- I will be actually trained in finance, economics, marketing, and corporate strategy
- I emerge fluent in two additional languages (Spanish and Italian)
2) University of Toronto- Essentially an International Relations Masters
More of a "general" degree; Courses are pretty light and wishy washy in the first year, second year you can "specialize" in a Economics track (although still it's not even close to the extent of the business training in the Bocconi program)
In a perfect world, the Bocconi program would be at the UofT, but it's not. Bocconi is one of the top Economics Uni's in Europe (I think its MBA is top 30 in the world), but I am just worried that firms in Toronto might not even recognize the Bocconi name despite all the training I will get, and I would get shortlisted every time for Canadian graduates.
Basically I am trying to decide which is the safest bet between: A very good program but perhaps unrecognized Uni, and a more general, wishy-washy Masters but it's the UofT so everyone knows it.
Advice quick would be greatly appreciated!
If you want to work in Toronto, it's best to study here. You'll have much more opportunity to network. I doubt BCG will be knocking on your door, but if you get good grades, show some interest and impress the right people, you'll have a shot. You'll come in as an Associate due to the lack of an MBA, so you'll be a generalist at first. Once you get your foot in the door, you can talk to people about focusing on certain types of engagements. My only piece of advice is to not limit yourself to MBB. There are plenty of great places to work in MC, and you're not in the best position to be overly picky.
Had a friend make BCG from U of S, so either school can get you in the door if your extracurriculars are right (think Business Comps, + a club or two), and you have a stellar record at the school. Of course he did an international co-op at an international Investment Bank too, so he had a lot for him.
Pedigree is great, but what you really need are incredible problem solving skills, a way to differentiate yourself from the crowd, and communication skills (put people at ease immediately, make them want to share with you).
That is paraphrasing his advice to me.
honestly, you dont learn much in either for consulting. Most of that is on the job/job prep, not from classes. U of T will get you a better chance of getting an interview, but thats all the difference its gonna make (you might get one from other school to). From there its all you (knowledge, problem solving, case prep).
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