Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Consultants
To enter the field of consulting straight out of undergrad, internships are "the path of least resistance," requiring strong GPAs and early application. Networking is also key, helping students learn about companies and build relationships, as evidenced by the speaker's own experience of a cohort of interns who became lifelong friends and colleagues.
Internships, Networking, Entry-Level Positions, Campus Recruitment, Career Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
NyAsia Jordan
Consultant
Top Managemet Consulting Company
Lehman College
Baruch College - MS, UCLA Anderson School of Management - MBA
Finance
Consulting & Related Professional Services
Business Strategy
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School, Transfer Student
Video Highlights
1. Internships are crucial for entry-level positions in consulting and are often a stepping stone to full-time roles.
2. Networking is essential for learning about different companies and making connections within the industry.
3. A strong GPA is often a requirement for internships and is a factor in being considered for an entry-level position
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
There's more than one way to skin a cat, but I think if you want to become a consultant straight out of undergrad, internships are the path of least resistance. Similar to finance internships at banks or any other type of on-campus recruitment, internships can be very competitive.
The first thing I would tell undergraduate students to do is look at the companies you're interested in working for. Then, go to their internship section and look at the requirements they're asking for. This work can often be done as early as your freshman year. The earlier you do it, the better, because that could also provide an opportunity for some scholarships or other financial aid.
As I said before, internships tend to be competitive. So your GPA is going to be something that is looked at. Usually, there's a minimum GPA to be considered for an internship.
The reasons why internships are important are that they serve as a feeder for many of the entry-level programs that these companies have. Internships give both the company and the student a chance to see if it's a good fit. You get a chance to see if this is something you would actually enjoy doing, because what you see on paper may not translate the same way when you're actually doing the role.
The company gets a chance to see if you have the skills they're looking for, which would put you in a place where you can thrive as you join their incoming class. Most of the big companies have what they call incoming cohorts of campus hires. When I did my internship, it got converted into a full-time role. I started with a group of different individuals who were part of my cohort, and many of us are still friends to this day.
We talk to each other, help each other, and have advised each other as we've grown in our different career paths. Some are still in finance, some are still at Morgan Stanley, and others have gone off to do other things, but we still support each other. So I think that is also an important piece of it.
But I would strongly say the other thing you need to do is network. I'm sure you hear this from your professors, but networking is key. Understanding the different types of people that work at these organizations you're interested in and what their experiences are will not only be helpful in helping you make your decision, but it will also inform you about the company as you start to have interviews for those internships.