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Management Consultancy - Need advice
Hi there,
I'm about to turn 25 and have just started looking at postgrad options for 2010. I'm looking to get into consultancy, but am not sure which postrad courses would be most appealing to the big firms.
Here's a quick overview of my background:
A Level Results - BCC (2003)
BA Managment Studies - University of Leicester [2.1] (2006)
18 Months spent working as a Marketing Exec
9 Months spent as a Project Manager
About to start another job in Marketing.
Nothing i have done has been particularly analytical or related to finance. My degree was a social science, and my marketing experience since has revolved around press, communications, digital.
What would be a good route into the industry? Any pointers would be greatfully received
I'm about to turn 25 and have just started looking at postgrad options for 2010. I'm looking to get into consultancy, but am not sure which postrad courses would be most appealing to the big firms.
Here's a quick overview of my background:
A Level Results - BCC (2003)
BA Managment Studies - University of Leicester [2.1] (2006)
18 Months spent working as a Marketing Exec
9 Months spent as a Project Manager
About to start another job in Marketing.
Nothing i have done has been particularly analytical or related to finance. My degree was a social science, and my marketing experience since has revolved around press, communications, digital.
What would be a good route into the industry? Any pointers would be greatfully received
Scroll to see replies
What sort of consultancy and what do you consider the 'big firms'?
The obvious answer is that you need to do an MBA. There is no specific degree that is required for management consultancy per se the big strat consultancies ie MBB and their ilk will take people from any degree discipline, but IT consultancies, engineering consultancies etc have more specific needs which you may not be able to match at this stage in your career. Once you've got a few years professional experience under your belt then an MBA is probably the most useful degree.
I think you need to be very clear about whether you are changing focus, ie trying to move away from marketing, and therefore selling yourself largely on your transferable skills, or whether you are trying to boost your career in marketing - there are marketing consultants.
The obvious answer is that you need to do an MBA. There is no specific degree that is required for management consultancy per se the big strat consultancies ie MBB and their ilk will take people from any degree discipline, but IT consultancies, engineering consultancies etc have more specific needs which you may not be able to match at this stage in your career. Once you've got a few years professional experience under your belt then an MBA is probably the most useful degree.
I think you need to be very clear about whether you are changing focus, ie trying to move away from marketing, and therefore selling yourself largely on your transferable skills, or whether you are trying to boost your career in marketing - there are marketing consultants.
My fiancé is a management consultant, and he'd be happy to help you with your question...except you don't specify exactly what it is you want to do! Management consulting can be incredibly specific: it can be finance related, but it can also be HR related, marketing related, IT related, strategy related, delivery related...so you need to say exactly what it is you're wanting to do before anyone can really help you.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
Hi guys,
The two areas of Management Consultancy that interest me are Strategy and Marketing.
I would like to do an MBA, but to date have only 9 months of management experience. Therefore i considered going for an Msc instead (also cheaper).
The two areas of Management Consultancy that interest me are Strategy and Marketing.
I would like to do an MBA, but to date have only 9 months of management experience. Therefore i considered going for an Msc instead (also cheaper).
ForeverReeling
9 Months spent as a Project Manager
9 Months spent as a Project Manager
Seriously, do you by any chance know anything about managing the creation of a new software? Or am I pushing my luck here?
Why don't you apply for management consultancy jobs directly, without doing an extra qualification?
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
(All of the above is from my fiancé, btw - he did his degree in Political Science in France, with an Erasmus year in Exeter. He then did a Master's in European Studies at Bath followed by a master's in management consulting at EM Lyon. He now works for Steria, having previously worked for Atos.)
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
(All of the above is from my fiancé, btw - he did his degree in Political Science in France, with an Erasmus year in Exeter. He then did a Master's in European Studies at Bath followed by a master's in management consulting at EM Lyon. He now works for Steria, having previously worked for Atos.)
Angelil
My fiancé is a management consultant, and he'd be happy to help you with your question...except you don't specify exactly what it is you want to do! Management consulting can be incredibly specific: it can be finance related, but it can also be HR related, marketing related, IT related, strategy related, delivery related...so you need to say exactly what it is you're wanting to do before anyone can really help you.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
I don't mean to take over this thread (My PM's isn't working at the moment) But I am extremely interested in Management Consultancy myself especially in the IT field - could you give me some words of advice on how to get into this?
Angelil
^^ He says it sounds much like you're on the right track already! You just need to understand that people will want you to really understand your clients' needs, and that you need to have the ability to effectively manage your relationships with them
My main worry is I never secured an internship during my undergraduate
naddles
My main worry is I never secured an internship during my undergraduate
That's an IB obsession, not a management consultancy thing
Angelil
Why don't you apply for management consultancy jobs directly, without doing an extra qualification?
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
Thanks for the advice. I understand that an MBA would be ideal, but i don't think i could afford it.
I like the look of this course, and the admissions officer has said that my application would be considered, despite not having done a mathematical/stastical undergrad.
http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/masters/management-science/msc-management-science-marketing-analytics/
Does this look good?
Angelil
Why don't you apply for management consultancy jobs directly, without doing an extra qualification?
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
Thanks for the advice. I understand that an MBA would be ideal, but i don't think i could afford it. Also, as it stands i have 2 years 3 months work experience, which is below the standard 3 year requirement for work experience. I will have 3 years by next september however.
I like the look of this course, and the admissions officer has said that my application would be considered, despite not having done a mathematical/stastical undergrad.
http://www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/masters/management-science/msc-management-science-marketing-analytics/
Does this look good?
Angelil
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
If you want to do marketing or strategic consultancy, you should probably apply for smaller companies initially (with or without another degree), and if you do want to go for the big names in this particular sector (i.e. strategy/marketing) then you either have to do a really prestigious extra degree (e.g. CASS/Said Business School/LSE) or an MBA. The problem here is that it's difficult to know how easy it would be for you to get in because these big names tend to go for someone who has a really prestigious undergraduate degree (even if you don't have the extra qualification on top of that). So the other option is to get more experience and try and get into a prestigious MBA.
So, if I have a degree from a top 15 University, e.g, Loughborough, Southampton, Birmingham, York etc, and I top it off with a MSc In Economics/Economic History/International Relations at LSE/Oxbridge/UCL/Warwick/Cass/LBS etc, can I get into management consultancy.
I've heard they like people with prestigious undergraduate degrees, but what if a person has a very good, not prestigious, undergrad but prestigious postgraduate in one of the subjects at one of the above institutions?
Pleae ask your fiancé if you don't mind.
Thanks
HamzaB
It depends very much what management consultancy company you are applying to. The top level companies, the so called MBB companies, probably only take 20-30 graduates per year, and that figure may well be less in some years (in the London office, and I haven't checked that in the last couple of years). So they can perfectly well be as selective as they like, given the global popularity of the London office. Hence their Oxbridge/LSE focus, plus the overseas prestigious unis and the focus on world class MBAs. You are unlikely to break into these companies with a non-Oxbridge undergrad degree topped off with a Masters, because they get more than enough Oxbridge/LSE + Masters applicants.
However, you can perfectly well get a job with Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, PWC etc consultancy arms and within 4 years try to move to MBB if that is still where you are aiming.
Then there are a 'middle' group like Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Capgemini and smaller, niche consultancies like Newton, 202vision etc which you can try for if you have reasonably strong academics.
Whilst some management consultancies specialise in IT or Finance, and so require relevant degrees, the largest ones deal with all aspects of business and do not require you to have a numerate degree. Bain regularly have specific presentation days for students with Arts degrees (albeit assuming you are at a target (Oxbridge) uni). Degree level numeracy is not necessary in all areas of consultancy.
However, you can perfectly well get a job with Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, PWC etc consultancy arms and within 4 years try to move to MBB if that is still where you are aiming.
Then there are a 'middle' group like Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Capgemini and smaller, niche consultancies like Newton, 202vision etc which you can try for if you have reasonably strong academics.
Whilst some management consultancies specialise in IT or Finance, and so require relevant degrees, the largest ones deal with all aspects of business and do not require you to have a numerate degree. Bain regularly have specific presentation days for students with Arts degrees (albeit assuming you are at a target (Oxbridge) uni). Degree level numeracy is not necessary in all areas of consultancy.
Angelil
My fiancé is a management consultant, and he'd be happy to help you with your question...except you don't specify exactly what it is you want to do! Management consulting can be incredibly specific: it can be finance related, but it can also be HR related, marketing related, IT related, strategy related, delivery related...so you need to say exactly what it is you're wanting to do before anyone can really help you.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
An MBA is an option, but they're terrifically expensive.
Could the OP get funding for one?
threeportdrift
It depends very much what management consultancy company you are applying to. The top level companies, the so called MBB companies, probably only take 20-30 graduates per year, and that figure may well be less in some years (in the London office, and I haven't checked that in the last couple of years). So they can perfectly well be as selective as they like, given the global popularity of the London office. Hence their Oxbridge/LSE focus, plus the overseas prestigious unis and the focus on world class MBAs. You are unlikely to break into these companies with a non-Oxbridge undergrad degree topped off with a Masters, because they get more than enough Oxbridge/LSE + Masters applicants.
However, you can perfectly well get a job with Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, PWC etc consultancy arms and within 4 years try to move to MBB if that is still where you are aiming.
Then there are a 'middle' group like Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Capgemini and smaller, niche consultancies like Newton, 202vision etc which you can try for if you have reasonably strong academics.
Whilst some management consultancies specialise in IT or Finance, and so require relevant degrees, the largest ones deal with all aspects of business and do not require you to have a numerate degree. Bain regularly have specific presentation days for students with Arts degrees (albeit assuming you are at a target (Oxbridge) uni). Degree level numeracy is not necessary in all areas of consultancy.
However, you can perfectly well get a job with Accenture, Deloitte, E&Y, PWC etc consultancy arms and within 4 years try to move to MBB if that is still where you are aiming.
Then there are a 'middle' group like Oliver Wyman, Roland Berger, Capgemini and smaller, niche consultancies like Newton, 202vision etc which you can try for if you have reasonably strong academics.
Whilst some management consultancies specialise in IT or Finance, and so require relevant degrees, the largest ones deal with all aspects of business and do not require you to have a numerate degree. Bain regularly have specific presentation days for students with Arts degrees (albeit assuming you are at a target (Oxbridge) uni). Degree level numeracy is not necessary in all areas of consultancy.
Thanks,
Yes Consultancy is something that interests me a lot. My Economics teacher has a BA in Economics and worked for PWC consulting for a quite a few years and he was telling us how he moved into a top law firm after.
I think once you have the experience, It's best to apply for a top MSc/MBA and move into the top firms from there.
But do they not have age limits. Say if I applied to one of the top MBB's at around 26/27, is that old? 4 years experience, one year master.
There are no age limits. The only thing is that if you are older than your cohort for some reason then you will have to be comfortable working for someone who may be younger than you, perhaps a high flyer who is much younger than you!
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