7 answers
Helen
Student
Rockville, Maryland
1
Question
Updated
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How did you get your start in consulting?
I am a Junior in University who hopes to have a career in consulting but I'm not sure where to start.
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7 answers
Karolina r
AML Compliance
1
Answer
Totowa, New Jersey
Updated
Karolina’s Answer
Hello! Looking for internship opportunities is a great way to begin. It helps you learn about a company's culture, structure, location, and possible benefits. Check out summer programs, but remember that spots are often limited, so apply early. Good luck!
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2133
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to know that you have interest in consulting business.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Consulting can be in many different disciplines, e.g. Management, Transformation, Strategy, Technology, etc. You can explore more consulting disciplines online.
2. Explore more on these consulting disciplines and determine what you have interest.
3. You would need to have the expertise on the area you have interest. You might need to obtain college degree on that disciplines
4. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in college
5. Explore any intern opportunities of large consultancy firms. They also offer gradates training programs as well.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Consulting can be in many different disciplines, e.g. Management, Transformation, Strategy, Technology, etc. You can explore more consulting disciplines online.
2. Explore more on these consulting disciplines and determine what you have interest.
3. You would need to have the expertise on the area you have interest. You might need to obtain college degree on that disciplines
4. Find out the entry criteria of relevant subjects in college
5. Explore any intern opportunities of large consultancy firms. They also offer gradates training programs as well.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
67
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Helen!
"Consulting" is a general term that covers many different fields. What sort of consulting are you looking to get into? Perhaps you're interested in business consulting, HR consulting, legal consulting, cybersecurity consulting, etc. Once you have that sort of figured out, then you can begin to think about next steps. Generally, internships are probably the easiest way to for a college student to get a sense of the type of work they might want to make a career out of. Oftentimes, internship opportunities also lead to return offers for college grads, which is great because you won't have to worry about job search again. I also recommend attending career fairs at your school and speaking to recruiters--ask them questions about the company they represent and upcoming internship opportunities. That's how I got my first job right out of school!
Good luck!
"Consulting" is a general term that covers many different fields. What sort of consulting are you looking to get into? Perhaps you're interested in business consulting, HR consulting, legal consulting, cybersecurity consulting, etc. Once you have that sort of figured out, then you can begin to think about next steps. Generally, internships are probably the easiest way to for a college student to get a sense of the type of work they might want to make a career out of. Oftentimes, internship opportunities also lead to return offers for college grads, which is great because you won't have to worry about job search again. I also recommend attending career fairs at your school and speaking to recruiters--ask them questions about the company they represent and upcoming internship opportunities. That's how I got my first job right out of school!
Good luck!
Ryan Townsend
Healthcare Technology Consultant
5
Answers
Spring Lake, Michigan
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Helen,
I'm a consulting manager at a Big 4 consulting firm, and I got into consulting later in my career as an experienced hire. Since you're considering consulting in your junior year of college, you're already ahead. Many successful consultants started early and worked their way up.
Here's what you can do:
1. Talk to Career Services: Find out which consulting firms recruit at your school and what they require. If no consulting firms recruit at your school, look for alumni on LinkedIn who are in consulting to see which firms they work for.
2. Focus on GPA: If you aim for top firms, you'll need a strong GPA. If your GPA needs improvement, consider retaking courses to replace low grades. This can significantly boost your overall GPA.
3. Consider Your School: If your school isn't known for consulting opportunities, think about transferring to one that is, even if it takes longer to graduate.
4. Choose the Right Major: Many consultants have degrees in business, economics, or engineering. If your major doesn't align with consulting, consider changing it, even if it delays graduation.
5. Network: If your school has on-campus recruiting, meet with recruiters and ask insightful questions. If not, get advice from career services on connecting with recruiters. Reading "Network Like a Rockstar" can also help.
6. Pursue Internships: Many firms hire from their internship programs. On campus recruiting happens at a particular time each year, so know when it is and what to expect.
7. Prepare for Interviews: Get ready for both behavioral and case interviews. Join your school's consulting club and use resources like books and online platforms for practice, especially with case interviews.
8. Stay Persistent: If you don't land a consulting job right away, keep building skills. If you're still struggling after 3-5 years, consider an MBA from a school with strong consulting recruitment.
Good luck!
Make an Appointment with career services at your school
Make a plan- work backwards from what you need to land the job and create steps to get you there
I'm a consulting manager at a Big 4 consulting firm, and I got into consulting later in my career as an experienced hire. Since you're considering consulting in your junior year of college, you're already ahead. Many successful consultants started early and worked their way up.
Here's what you can do:
1. Talk to Career Services: Find out which consulting firms recruit at your school and what they require. If no consulting firms recruit at your school, look for alumni on LinkedIn who are in consulting to see which firms they work for.
2. Focus on GPA: If you aim for top firms, you'll need a strong GPA. If your GPA needs improvement, consider retaking courses to replace low grades. This can significantly boost your overall GPA.
3. Consider Your School: If your school isn't known for consulting opportunities, think about transferring to one that is, even if it takes longer to graduate.
4. Choose the Right Major: Many consultants have degrees in business, economics, or engineering. If your major doesn't align with consulting, consider changing it, even if it delays graduation.
5. Network: If your school has on-campus recruiting, meet with recruiters and ask insightful questions. If not, get advice from career services on connecting with recruiters. Reading "Network Like a Rockstar" can also help.
6. Pursue Internships: Many firms hire from their internship programs. On campus recruiting happens at a particular time each year, so know when it is and what to expect.
7. Prepare for Interviews: Get ready for both behavioral and case interviews. Join your school's consulting club and use resources like books and online platforms for practice, especially with case interviews.
8. Stay Persistent: If you don't land a consulting job right away, keep building skills. If you're still struggling after 3-5 years, consider an MBA from a school with strong consulting recruitment.
Good luck!
Ryan recommends the following next steps:
Teklemuz Ayenew Tesfay
Electrical Engineer, Researcher and Software Developer
229
Answers
Ethiopia
Updated
Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer
If you're interested in consulting, it's a great idea to start by learning about the field. Top firms like McKinsey, Bain, and Boston Consulting Group appreciate strong academics, but they also value leadership, initiative, and proven impact. Gaining experience at startups, research labs, or nonprofits can be just as beneficial as interning at big firms. Start preparing for case interviews early with resources like Case Interview Secrets, Case in Point, PrepLounge, RocketBlocks, and CaseCoach. Free programs like McKinsey Forward can help you build problem-solving and communication skills. To boost your business knowledge, keep up with news from sources like The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, or Harvard Business Review. Success in consulting involves strong analytical skills, clear communication, business sense, and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, team settings.
Connect with alumni and professionals on LinkedIn, join groups like the Management Consulting Network or MBB Prep Community, and attend info sessions online or on campus. Make sure your resume highlights leadership, results, and analytical skills with clear, action-focused language. Get involved in student consulting clubs, case competitions, or volunteer projects, and check out early-career platforms like Handshake, RippleMatch, and Paragon One. Communities like PrepLounge, Crafting Cases, Management Consulted, and Reddit’s r/consulting offer great prep support and practice interviews. Many universities also offer alumni mentorship and personalized career guidance. Stay consistent, keep learning, and be open to various entry paths, and you'll be on your way to a successful consulting career.
Connect with alumni and professionals on LinkedIn, join groups like the Management Consulting Network or MBB Prep Community, and attend info sessions online or on campus. Make sure your resume highlights leadership, results, and analytical skills with clear, action-focused language. Get involved in student consulting clubs, case competitions, or volunteer projects, and check out early-career platforms like Handshake, RippleMatch, and Paragon One. Communities like PrepLounge, Crafting Cases, Management Consulted, and Reddit’s r/consulting offer great prep support and practice interviews. Many universities also offer alumni mentorship and personalized career guidance. Stay consistent, keep learning, and be open to various entry paths, and you'll be on your way to a successful consulting career.
Kirk Kemppel
Manager, vCIOs
3
Answers
Barberton
Updated
Kirk’s Answer
I began my career immediately after high school by securing an entry-level position at a small IT firm. My initial responsibilities included handling client calls and routing them to the appropriate teams. During this time, I focused on asking thoughtful questions and actively listening, not only to clients but also to internal teams and industry professionals to understand best practices and common pitfalls. I learned that effective consulting isn't always about having immediate answers; it's about listening carefully, analyzing the situation, and delivering well-informed solutions.
RIchard Gervasio
Senior Consultant - Xerox Managed Print Services
3
Answers
Norwalk, Connecticut
Updated
RIchard’s Answer
Hi Helen.
There are countless areas in which a consultant can be engaged. One typically becomes a consultant by getting an advanced degree in college (like an MBA or a PhD) and gets hired on by a consulting firm that brings you on as an associate. The other way is to gain practical experience (5-10 years) and demonstrate a high level of success and then go to work for an established consulting firm. Another way is to start go on your own (this is done typically after 10+ years where you can establish an exemplary track record in your field of expertise.
I would get into a field or or a discipline that you love and get great at it. Get an advanced degree (a master's degree in your field) and network. Reach out to consulting firms and see if they have internships.
I did it by getting good in a particular discipline and getting my MBA in International Finance. I was hired to be a consultant by 2 different international consulting firms and worked for many years (prior to joining Xerox) in Japan and Southeast Asia as well as Central and Eastern Europe. You definitely can do it!
Best of luck!!
There are countless areas in which a consultant can be engaged. One typically becomes a consultant by getting an advanced degree in college (like an MBA or a PhD) and gets hired on by a consulting firm that brings you on as an associate. The other way is to gain practical experience (5-10 years) and demonstrate a high level of success and then go to work for an established consulting firm. Another way is to start go on your own (this is done typically after 10+ years where you can establish an exemplary track record in your field of expertise.
I would get into a field or or a discipline that you love and get great at it. Get an advanced degree (a master's degree in your field) and network. Reach out to consulting firms and see if they have internships.
I did it by getting good in a particular discipline and getting my MBA in International Finance. I was hired to be a consultant by 2 different international consulting firms and worked for many years (prior to joining Xerox) in Japan and Southeast Asia as well as Central and Eastern Europe. You definitely can do it!
Best of luck!!