What to do with another summer after having a consulting offer?

Hi everyone,

my main question is what to do with another summer after having done a Consulting internship (MBB) prior?

I have completed my internship last week and was extremely happy to receive an offer. I've had a great experience and would be happy to start at the company next year after having finished my undergrad degree. However, they let me choose my start date and I wondered whether I should take 3 months off after exams to do something else before starting?

My longtime goals would be to go to Business School and possibly get involved with health care startups (though the latter is rather uncertain, hence my question aims more at business school admissions/consulting careers).

I have been thinking primarily about 3 options:

  1. Applying for another internship at a MBB to compare experiences (I also have another 2nd tier consulting intership-offer for next summer I could accept if the other options fail)
  2. Applying for an internship in IB
  3. Applying for Pre-MBA programs for undergraduates

From a Business School admissions point of view: What would maximize chances? Would they even care? Or should I just start at the mentioned MBB earlier?

From a consulting carrer point of view: What would be better, trying to get another consulting internship or trying a different industry (IB)?

Of course I could also use my summer to go hitchhiking in Latin America (which also attracts me), but I think the other options in general would be more favourably looked at.

One last thing: I do not want to do all three options. Of course this thought has crossed my mind, but I don't want to spend that much of my last year of uni hunting for internships/jobs but would rather concentrate on studying and socialising as much as possible.

Thanks very much for taking the time guys!

 
Best Response

You're not going to be able to complete an internship after graduation (at least not anywhere you'd want to), so cross off the first option. The Pre-MBA program is interesting, but I think you are way too early, so much so that I doubt you would be accepted.

Honestly, don't do anything. The job is very fast paced, and you'll wish for the time off later. If you have the means, go on a big trip or travel the US crashing with friends. If you CAN'T stay away from prepping and working, brush up on some excel and read some business books. But honestly, take time off and enjoy your senior year. Nothing you do now is really going to move the needle.

 

Hey John-Doe, thanks for the advice!

2 things: 1. If none of the options are going to move the needle (consulting career and b-school wise) I might as well chill. I know the job is incredible intense and I will take off whatever time I can get.

  1. I'm European and the big IBs and MBB do actually take interns the summer after their graduation here. The question then returns to q1: Does another internship still not change anything?
 

Ahhhh. Well, I can't speak for Europe, but my sense from working with admissions for my MBA program is that it still wouldn't really matter. You are already going to be coming from MBB; another MBB internship doesn't change anything. An IB internship would help you in the future if your career shifted in that direction (I assume), so if anything go for that.

Wouldn't your future employer care that you were headed to another firm for an internship (especially a competitor)? And what's the point of a place giving you an internship if you are already headed to another company?

 

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