Leveraging my STEM background to stand out

Question

Hi Everyone

My question is :

I am an aeronautical engineering graduate (AUG 2025). I have done internships and projects which are technical. Interned at DRDO and ISRO ( prestigious and very hard to work at , in my domain)

How do I leverage this into a key feature for standing out during shortlisting , interview etc.

And also - I have worked for 3 months in a manufacturing company. Had to get out due to some banking issue. That problem is being resolved - Now , do I mention that work exp in my resume while applying or avoid it?

If i mention it - how do i explain the situation in which i had to quit.

Thank you

Ashish

Answer 1

Hi Ashish,

You actually have a strong differentiator — you just need to frame it correctly.

On leveraging your STEM background

Don’t present DRDO and ISRO as “prestigious.” Present them as proof of

Analytical rigor
Working on complex, high-stakes systems
Handling ambiguity and technical depth
Solving structured problems under constraints

Consulting firms love candidates who can say:
“I worked on complex aerospace systems where small design decisions had large downstream impact. That trained me to think in structured cause–effect logic.”

Translate everything into business language

Optimization
Trade-offs
Data analysis
Stakeholder coordination
Quantifiable impact

That’s how you stand out during screening.

On the 3-month manufacturing experience

Yes, include it — short experiences are not red flags if they are real.

You don’t need to proactively explain the banking issue on your CV. If asked in interviews, keep it simple and factual:

“There was a temporary personal/administrative issue that required my attention. It has been resolved.”

No over-explaining. No drama. Keep it calm and forward-looking.

What matters most is

Your trajectory
Your performance
Your clarity of goals

Your technical background is an asset if you translate it into structured thinking and impact.

Happy to help you position your CV strategically if helpful

Best
Evelina

Answer 2

Ashish, that's a fantastic background to be coming from—DRDO and ISRO are genuinely impressive on any resume, and your STEM foundation is a major asset in consulting.

Here's how to think about leveraging it: consulting values the process of problem-solving. Your engineering background demonstrates inherent analytical rigor, structured thinking, and the ability to break down complex issues. The key is to translate your technical achievements into these broader consulting skills. When describing your projects and internships, don't just state what you did; explain how you identified problems, gathered data (even if technical), analyzed it, developed solutions, and measured impact. Frame it in terms of client value, efficiency, or innovation rather than just the technical specifics. This means practicing your "story" for each experience, focusing on the business logic behind your work.

Regarding the 3-month manufacturing role: the general rule is to include experiences that add value or explain gaps. A short stint like that can sometimes raise questions about commitment if not explained well. If the experience provided valuable transferable skills (e.g., process improvement, operations, supply chain analysis), you might include it, but be prepared for a concise, honest explanation. You can simply state that due to an unexpected banking issue, you had to pause that role, but the issue has since been resolved, emphasizing the positive skills gained during your time there. If it doesn't add significantly to your narrative or skills, omitting it might be simpler, especially if you have other strong, longer experiences.

Ultimately, your engineering pedigree is a differentiator. Ensure your resume and interview responses highlight the transferable skills and problem-solving mindset you've developed.

All the best!