Incoming college freshman looking for advice

Question

Hi everyone,

I’m Ayush and am from India. I’m an incoming freshman at the HEC Paris–Bocconi double degree program. I’m interested in startups, venture capital, and tech in general. One of my goals is to create a product so meaningful and valuable that it becomes habit-forming and part of everyone's daily life. So, I will definitely be working on that during college.

That said, I’m wondering if it’s worth trying my hand at management consulting too, at least during college, or I should rather gain experience interning at startups or at venture capital firms?
If yes, what can I start doing right now to really build a competitive edge? What should I read, practice, pursue, or work on to stand out?
Also, while researching, I saw that MBB firms offer business analyst internships for college students. I had a quick question regarding whether I would be eligible to apply to the Dubai and India offices even if I’m studying overseas. Will I even have realistic chances if I work smart and hard, or will they still prefer domestic talent? (asking because the French and Italian offices require knowledge of local languages)

Thanks a lot in advance! I would appreciate any advice from people who’ve been in similar shoes, experts and mentors who know the inside out of this field, and current or ex-professionals.

Have a great day ahead!

Answer 1

Hi Ayush,

Congrats on the HEC–Bocconi program — that’s a great foundation. Your interest in startups, VC, and tech is spot on, and exploring all three during college is not only possible but actually valuable. Each gives you different skills: startups teach you to build, VC helps you spot ideas, and consulting trains you to think and communicate clearly.

If you’re curious about consulting, definitely explore it — even short internships or case competitions can give you a feel for it. It won’t take away from your startup goals and may even sharpen your strategic thinking.

To build an edge:

Start small: build projects, join clubs, attend hackathons or pitch events.
Read: try The Lean Startup, Zero to One, and business case prep books.
Talk to people: reach out to students, alumni, or professionals for honest insights.
Try a bit of case practice early — it’ll help if you apply to MBB later.

As for Dubai/India MBB offices — yes, you can apply while studying abroad. India is often more open to global students, and Dubai is competitive but not impossible. Strong academics, experience, and smart prep matter most.

Keep exploring — you’re asking the right questions. Also, feel free to reach out if you need any help to prepare for interviews in the future - happy to help!

Best,

Evelina

Answer 2

hey Ayush :)

that’s an amazing program and mindset already! you can definitely explore both startups/VC and consulting in college, many people do. early on, join clubs (VC, consulting, entrepreneurship), work on side projects, and get internships in both worlds to test what fits you. for a consulting edge, start reading up on case prep, business news, and build structured thinking. MBB Dubai and India do consider international students, especially with strong profiles, so yes, you have a shot if you work smart! and your program will help. feel free to reach out anytime!

best, Alessa

Answer 3

Hi there,

Great to hear you're approaching things in advance.

You can read this article:

Expert Guide: What Do Management Consultants Do?

And aside from this, I'd recommend that you start actually 'doing' consulting, even if it's for a small local organisation or charity. This will help you develop consulting skills, show you whether you actually like the job, plus it will be a credible track record of your interest in consulting on your CV.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi there,

Working in strategic consulting is a common pre-step before founding your own startup — and for good reason.

Take this path if you want to:

Develop a strong problem-solving toolkit
Build a powerful network of well-connected individuals who can open doors or provide funding
Gain in-depth exposure to different industries quickly before deciding where to build your product

But don’t take it by default. If you’re considering going straight into the startup world, take that path if you want to:

Master product design, development, and achieving product-market fit
Build a strong network within the startup ecosystem
Understand how startups operate at different stages and across different business models

Both are valid — just make sure you’re clear on what you want to maximize in the coming years.

Best,

Alberto