Top-Consultant.com

Hi All,

I have an offer from PwC for its MC graduate programme and the same for KPMG. I have decided that I would very much like to go into Stategy asap and I know KPMG do not actually provide this service in the UK, whilst PwC do and I would get 3 months experience in it on the MC rotational scheme.

My question is, of the two, which is the best one to go for in terms of eventually getting into Strategy Consulting? If I went to PwC I would have the chance to compete for a place at the end of my MC scheme, but they do not offer a professional qualification. Whereas KPMG offer the CIMA, of which I am unsure as to whether would be beneficial to move into Strategy elsewhere.

Alternatively I have an offer to do a Masters at a top London University in Management, which I could take and attempt to get into a Tier 1 or 2 Strategy house from. However, this would mean I would lose the jobs I have been offered and would go into debt without a guarentee of success.

Could someone with experience please help me weigh my dilemma up.

Many Thanks

Will

Will - lots to tackle here. Allow me to make a few statements:

1. Professional qualifications are not highly prized in strategy consulting, so don't get hung up on not getting one from PwC - and similarly don't be fooled that CIMA is going to open up strategy consulting doors that wouldn't otherwise be open to you.

2. It is quite rare (but not unheard of) for consultants to move from a Big 4 firm into a pure strategy house. I would suggest that if joining a Big 4 you should be doing so with a view to moving into their own strategy practices rather than with aspirations of moving to a pure strat firm.

3. Caveat: getting an MBA from a TOP business school could facilitate such a transition, but this would mean not being in strategy consulting for quite a few years - which isn't a great fit with your desire to get into strategy ASAP. It's also a significant financial undertaking for an uncertain outcome - and you'd need to have strong academics to stand a good chance of getting into the top schools that would interest strategy consulting firms.

4. Your best bet at getting into a strategy firm asap would be to apply direct without doing the Masters - if your undergrad grades and university put you in the running for this that is (you don't say)? The Masters could help if it's from somewhere prestigious and on the strategy firms' hit-lists of institutions they hire from; but it will only give an edge to an otherwise credible candidate, it is unlikely to outweigh any deficiencies in your undergrad grades / university.

As a suggestion, try searching on LinkedIn for profiles of people who attended the university you attended and who are now in strategy consulting at the types of firms you would like to join. If it's a well-trodden path you'll see this; if it's not then this should act as a wake-up call and will allow you to assess these Big 4 offers you have received in a different light.

All the best with making the right decision.

Tony Restell

Top-Consultant.com

Hi Tony,

Thanks a lot for this very detailed answer, I have asked around a lot elsewhere and this is the best response yet!

My undergrad Uni is not a target one, but I do have very good academics so far. Although not a first, a high enough 2:1 with lots of extra-currics to get me a lower than standard offer at UCL in Management.

From what I have read about Masters in Managment courses and looking at where people from the top courses seem to go, I was under the impression that it would off-put the fact that I am not at a target University. Moreover, looking at the recruitment fairs and the MBB websites they do target UCL.

So, bearing this in mind, just to clarify, do you think that this would provide me with a good shot to go in at entry level?

Thank you in advance!

Will

MBBB don't hire many analysts so you should ideally do a Masters from Oxbridge or best from LBS (they offer Masters in Management) if you really want to. But I should warn you it will still be very difficult to get in.

All strategy firms attend career fairs at the top tier universities (Imperial, UCL, LSE, Oxford, Cambridge). But there aren't too many positions available and hence it is very competitive! Doing a Masters to get into MBBB I think is very foolish. Most MBBB hires are MBAs

I would think your best bet will be to get into PwC and see if you like MC (if you have never done any internships before in MC). Stick with PwC for a few yrs and if you still want to go to MBBB get an MBA. That's the best way! Its a difficult job market these days. Many congrats on getting into PwC and KPMG. Obsession with MBBB is wrong though!

Based on what I have heard I think I will ditch the Masters and take PwC. Thanks a lot I, you have helped me make a decision that has been turning over in my head for too long!

Will - a 2.1 from a non-target university is unlikely to set the pulses racing at a strategy firm; a Masters is unlikely to overcome the fact that these firms are inundated with applicants from Oxbridge grads and so simply don't need to take a chance on candidates when they have so many "flawless" candidates to choose from.

I shalln't comment on whether you should take PwC or KPMG but I think the decision to go with one of these offers rather than pursuing the Masters is the right one.

Good luck - and hope to see you on here in years to come!

Tony Restell

Top-Consultant.com