Cems MIM @ Esade + no "big names" in CV = Chances for MBB?

Hey!

I recently started my Masters in International Management (CEMS) @ Esade and I am now looking for internships for Summer '17.

Given that Im pretty unexperienced when it comes to Consulting and only worked in other industries before, i have some basic questions:

Is it even possible to be accepted at MBB without having collected any consulting experience before? My prior work experience is not completely unrelated, so for example I did work for the Chamber of Commerce (Germany) and also interned abroad at the Consulate where we "consulted" companies that wanted to enter this specific foreign market. However, the tasks are probably really different compared to the ones of private consulting firms.

People told me that to get into MBB, you need to have a top notch CV with prior consulting experience and unis like Oxbridge, LSE etc. So Im wondering if it even makes sense for me to invest that much time in it.

I know some of those questions might sound a bit naive but I am really new to this whole thing so any help is definitely appreciated.

Thank you!

Well, there are more consulting firms than MBB - so if it's truly the job you're after (and you feel your CV/work experience doesn't help), perhaps considering investing your time towards a more realistic goal/tier of consulting firms.

I'd say MBB will be a stretch. Not impossible but improbable. They tend to recruit as you say from LBS / INSEAD in Europe. It can't hurt to apply but your chances will be low. Look at the tier 2 firms (don't let the 'tier 2' put you off, they represent excellent brands on your CV and you will learn just as much about consulting from them. The application process will be just as tough).

People differ in their view of what constitutes 'Tier 2' consulting firms. Roland Berger, LEK, Oliver Wyman, AlixPartners, AT Kearney, Parthenon (part of EY) and Strategy& (part of PwC) could arguably fall into this group.

If you're looking at consulting as a more long-term career, consider whether you want to be a generalist, or aligned to a function/industry. Your background obviously plays a huge part there. If it's an industry that you would look to align to, consider applying for internships at leading firms in the field. This plays just as well into post-degree consulting applications as true consulting experience does.

I'd say MBB will be a stretch. Not impossible but improbable. They tend to recruit as you say from LBS / INSEAD in Europe. It can't hurt to apply but your chances will be low. Look at the tier 2 firms (don't let the 'tier 2' put you off, they represent excellent brands on your CV and you will learn just as much about consulting from them. The application process will be just as tough).

People differ in their view of what constitutes 'Tier 2' consulting firms. Roland Berger, LEK, Oliver Wyman, AlixPartners, AT Kearney, Parthenon (part of EY) and Strategy& (part of PwC) could arguably fall into this group.

If you're looking at consulting as a more long-term career, consider whether you want to be a generalist, or aligned to a function/industry. Your background obviously plays a huge part there. If it's an industry that you would look to align to, consider applying for internships at leading firms in the field. This plays just as well into post-degree consulting applications as true consulting experience does.