College Experiences That Helped an Engagement Manager at Big 4 Succeed
Big four consulting firms offer "awesome summer internship programs" and "summer scholar programs" for undergraduates, allowing students to secure full-time offers upon graduation; Kelsey also recommends networking directly with professionals via LinkedIn, noting that "Consultants love to talk to people that are curious about the job."
Entry-Level Positions, Networking, Summer Internships, Mentorship, Career Exploration
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Kelsey Gorman
Engagement Manager, Consulting
Big 4 Consulting Firm
University of Colorado, Boulder (2009)
UCLA Anderson, MBA (2014)
Biology & Related Sciences
Consulting & Related Professional Services, Finance (Banking, Fintech, Investing)
Consulting
Video Highlights
1. Summer internship programs at big four consulting firms offer opportunities for undergraduates to work as analysts and potentially secure full-time offers.
2. Networking and attending conferences can provide mentorship and insights into consulting careers, even without formal internship programs.
3. Reaching out to consultants on LinkedIn to learn about their work and explore potential opportunities can be effective, as many consultants enjoy sharing their experiences with students interested in the field.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Most of the big consulting firms, at least the Big Four, have really awesome summer internship programs for undergrads. They have different names, but these are amazing opportunities as an analyst.
You can intern before your senior year and sign a full-time offer for after you graduate. I wish I had known that in undergrad; nobody told me to look at internships. So, I think that's a great opportunity.
There are also a lot of conferences. If you're not ready for a full-time internship, going to a conference for a day or three days and getting mentorship is great.
I also think that almost everybody I've met, not just in consulting but in the corporate world, particularly consultants, love to talk to people who are curious about the job. So, even if there's not a formal program or position, don't be afraid to message people on LinkedIn.
Reach out and say, "I'd love to hear about what you do and what opportunities there might be." People love talking about their work. Consultants tend to be more extroverted, and they'd be happy to talk to any undergrad.