How important is my major and what can I do to break into consulting?

First of all, congratulations on the admission offer! It’s a great starting point, but you’re right to be thinking ahead about the specific hurdles of the region.

Here is a reality check and some strategic advice:

1. How important is my major in consulting recruitment?

In the grand scheme of top-tier consulting, your specific major is often secondary to your problem-solving skills. However, office location changes the math. Saudi offices have very high nationalization (Saudization) targets. As a non-Saudi, it is significantly harder to break into the Riyadh office because they are prioritizing local talent. Focus on the area where you feel you can excel!

2. Internships and experience path:

Securing a 2nd or 3rd-year internship at a top consulting firm in the Middle East as a non-native is notoriously difficult. Don't get discouraged if those doors stay closed early on. Instead of "Consulting or nothing," focus on building a, say, Finance track record. Look for roles in Corporate Finance, mid-sized firms, or Asset Management. Having a solid foundation in Finance at a reputable company (even if it’s not a consulting firm) proves you have the professional rigor and analytical "muscle memory." When you apply for full-time consulting roles in your final year, this experience becomes your proof of concept.

3. International office applications:

It is extremely difficult to get into an international office (like London, New York, or Paris) from a regional university like KFUPM unless you have a strong connection (e.g., you are from that country or have family there). Dubai is your best bet. Unlike the Saudi offices, Dubai is an international hub. It is overwhelmingly English-speaking, and the hiring pool is global. However, because it’s so open, the competition is fierce, and recruiters might redirect you to the Saudi offices. You’ll also be up against graduates from the UK and US who want to return to the region. To win here, your internship track record and case performance must be top-tier.

4. Alternative career paths beyond consulting:

If you develop the "consultant" toolkit, you are well-prepared for high-stakes Finance roles. Consider Asset Management, Wealth Management, or Private Equity. These fields value the same structured thinking and financial literacy you’ll get from your degree. Be aware that the prestige of Big 4 consulting/audit varies wildly by geography. In some markets, they might have less traction for high-end strategy or PE roles compared to the Middle East or US. Always look at where the alumni from your specific program end up.

Hope this helps!

Best,

Tom

hey!

your major matters far less than you think, internships matter more than you think, and your strategy as a non‑Saudi needs to be realistic and targeted.

Your major: consulting firms don’t care much whether you study Finance or Business Analytics & AI. Both are perfectly fine. Finance is classic and safe, Business Analytics & AI gives you a slight edge for data‑heavy roles but doesn’t change your consulting chances. Choose the one you enjoy more. 

Internships: as a non‑Saudi, the best path is to build experience step by step. Start with campus research roles, student consulting clubs, small local firms, or remote internships. Then aim for Tier 2 or Big 4 in your 3rd or 4th year. Most people don’t have multiple consulting internships; they build a story through relevant experiences. 

International offices: yes, you can apply to Dubai or other offices, but it’s very competitive. They prefer students from local universities or top global schools. You need strong grades, a sharp CV, and ideally some relevant experience. Think of it as possible but not guaranteed.

Alternative paths: both majors prepare you well for roles in corporate strategy, finance, commercial teams, tech, and data‑driven business roles. Business Analytics & AI opens more doors in tech and product analytics, while Finance opens more in banking and corporate finance. Both are solid.

Hope that helps :) Alessa

Hi there,

Great that you're approaching this with so much foresight. 

In short, no, the major won't matter that much. Both the finance one and the business analytics one are great. 

What will matter a lot more is how you use the time in university. If you're keen on starting in consulting, you should try to get as involved as possible in the meantime with student consulting clubs or firms. Basically, any sort of experience and exposure you can get to consulting-like work will be great. This will be the platform that will enable you to get past screening when you're close to graduating.

Best,
Cristian

Quick takes on all four.

1. Major matters less than you think. For consulting in the GCC, lean Business Analytics and AI. Finance is the safer hedge if you also want banking optionality.
2. Build CV bullets early. Year 1-2, anything consulting-adjacent. Year 2-3 is your prime MBB and Big 4 window. Year 3-4 is the conversion internship.
3. Yes, apply to Dubai, Doha, London. Dubai is most accessible for non-Saudis. Apply early.
4. Business Analytics opens broader paths in tech, AI strategy, and PIF portfolio roles. Finance is stronger for banking and family offices.

Start case prep and networking from Year 2.

Good luck.