Hi
I study chemical engineering at concordia university in Canada and was wondering if middle east offices for firms like mckinsey and strategy& hire from here or is it near impossible because it is a non target school?
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Thanks for the reply! I am applying for an internship as summer associate. I was at McGill previously too if that helps. One question: how can I get a referral?
I have a degree from mcgill prior to this one btw and I also speak Arabic. Are my chances good?
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Hi there,
Middle East offices of MMBs definitely do hire from North America as they tend to be more flexible on geography.
That said, the bigger challenge is probably not location but the combination of a non-target university and limited consulting exposure (assuming you're applying as an undergraduate)
It's certainly not impossible, but you'll need a strong overall profile (high GPA, leadership, internships, networking/referrals, etc.) to get noticed.
One question: are you applying for internships or full-time roles? The answer would be slightly different depending on where you are in your studies.
Best,
Franco
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Yes, Middle East offices do hire from North American schools, but it's harder from Concordia than from target schools like McGill, UofT, Ivey, or US Ivies.
Target schools have direct campus recruiting into MBB Middle East. Concordia is non-target, so you'd go through experienced hire or direct application routes. Possible, but you need stronger signals to break through.
What helps. Regional connection or Arabic language is a real differentiator. Your chemical engineering background is actually a big asset, energy practice is huge in the region given Aramco, ADNOC, QatarEnergy.
Apply directly to MBB, Strategy&, OW, Kearney, and Big 4 in parallel. Don't just chase MBB. Build LinkedIn relationships with consultants in those offices.
If direct entry doesn't work, take a Canadian energy grad program or Big 4 advisory for 2 to 3 years, then lateral with industry depth.
Good luck.
Hi there,
It's not impossible.
Even if it's not a target school, you can try to improve your application with a referral. That will definitely help.
Sharing here two materials that explain how referrals work and how to go about getting them:
Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals
Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn?
Best,
Cristian
