alee228 Posted May 10, 2010 Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 Julia Kang recently wrote: I'm so glad to have found your blog! I'm an undergraduate combined Law/Commerce student who's really interested in management consulting. Just wondering is there a specific major MC firms are after? Many of my peers have suggested to major in Finance, however I'm thinking of majoring in Marketing. Is this gonna be considered unfavourably compared to Finance? i.e. do MC firms generaly take more finance graduates than marketing? Thanks so much for taking the time to read my query! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alee228 Posted May 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2010 Dear Julia, Thanks for your email. You sound very diligent. What kind of person do MC firms look for? High marks Numerical ability (hence people who have done engineering, economics and finance are often suited to consulting) Ability to solve business case problems (i.e. think analytically and on your feet) Ability to work with people Presentation skills Curiosity and love of learning Being a self-starter (i.e. not needing direction from your manager) What kind of major should you study? MC firms hire from a broad range of backgrounds (arts, science, commerce, engineering). Getting a job in a firm is about being able to tell the story about yourself that firms want to hear Studying finance will help tell a story about point 2 above (if you do well in it) Studying marketing may not help you with point 2, but if you do well it will help you tell a story about points 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 Being a high performing marketing student is better than being an average finance student What should you be doing Do what you are passionate about (if you want to do marketing, do it) Don't second guess what people may want from you (your life is a story, and only you know the best way to tell it) Find something you love (whether that be marketing or finance) and become awesome at it Hope that help. Cheers,Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Very happy I finally found this forum for MC.I see most of the MC firms seem to mention openings for fresh grads in their site. How then does someone like me with about a decade and half experience in sales,marketing get to join a MC firm as a Mgmt Consultant.Please could you advice.Thanks very much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alee228 Posted November 25, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2011 bharath, Welcome to the Consulting Forum! Obtaining a role with a management consulting firm is difficult at the best of times. Your question is a good one, where are the entry points? How do you get your foot in the door? The specific types of roles offered by each firm will differ slightly, so you should check out individual firm websites. Consulting firms generally offer opportunities for experienced professionals (e.g. see the McKinsey website). There would seem to be three possible entry points: Consulting Role: Consulting firms generally offer opportunities for experienced professionals to work as generalist consultants on in a specific practice. For example, note that McKinsey has a functional practice that focuses on marketing and sales. Research roles: You could use your previous experience to apply for a research role. This would involve providing knowledge and research to support consultants who are working on client projects. Support roles: This is probably not what you are looking for. However, for completeness, note that consulting firms do also hire support staff (e.g. IT, HR, admin, professional development). Does that help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 15, 2012 Report Share Posted January 15, 2012 I'm thinking of majoring in Marketing. Is this gonna be considered unfavourably compared to Finance? Being a high performing marketing student is better than being an average finance student in danish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
[email protected] Posted January 15, 2014 Report Share Posted January 15, 2014 I don't think consulting firms look for a specific major re. I've know ppl with various degree backgrounds who got hired by major consulting firms it's more about your skills and personality definitely eg. you have to be able to speak up in front of ppl 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Yau Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 I disagree with lznie. I think accounting and finance are best majors. Consulting firms like them. That's one thing. They can also be used in other career, and this gives flexibility of career option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashleysherman Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 Eric, Unfortunately, I will have to disagree with you. I have seen prominent students from traditional business backgrounds being passed over for liberal arts students with no quantitative background from prestigious universities. With consulting, I find that recruiters are often more interested in soft skills and relevant work experience than specific majors. That being said, an accounting or finance major is extremely valuable and would be looked at favorably; however, I don't believe that course of study is necessarily a limiting factor. - Ashley 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.