Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!

Anonymous A

22 hrs ago

Global

Next steps (postgrad) to switch career from SWE, also aiming to change location

Hi,

I posted a question a while back asking for what postgraduate degrees I could look into, in order to switch career and target Business Analyst roles at top-tier firms. A few months on, I find myself still unsure on where to proceed.

My background:

- Graduated 1 year ago, Computer Science, from rank ~30 UK uni

- Working as a software engineer at a BB bank for ~ 10 months (graduate job)

- Currently studying for GMAT, prep is going well, plan to sit in next month or two

I would like to:

- Switch careers, I'd like to look into analyst roles, SWE isn't for me

- Switch locations, the US is the hopeful end goal for me

- Help my CV by attending a top university to boost my job applications, and also re-enter grad recruitment cycle

At the moment I am not sure what steps I should be targeting. Obviously right now, the main priority is a good GMAT score, but should I be looking at US MiM degrees? I have heard they are not as valuable as they are in Europe. Perhaps another masters course in the US, or even in the UK?

Any advice to point me in the right direction would be highly appreciated. Would be very happy to discuss further.

Thank you

< 100

Be the first to answer!

Nobody has responded to this question yet.

Top answer

Kevin

Coach

11 hrs ago

50% off your 1. session with me | Ex-McKinsey Consultant | Ex-BCG Intern | Own Track Record: 100% Interview Success Rate

Hi there,

I could see three different scenarios, depending on your profile and preferences.

1. Work, MBA, then USA: Work a bit longer in your current role, try to get to a leadership position and then pursue a top MBA either in the US or at LBS/INSEAD/Oxbridge. An MBA would be a good entry ticket to apply as an Associate (not BA) in the US. I don’t think an MiM would be super competitive in the US.

2. MiM, Consulting in Europe, internal move to USA: Pursue a a top MiM in Europe (LBS/HEC/ESSEC/INSEAD) and break into Consulting in Europe first, then transfer to the US internally later. This could be an option, if you want to break into consulting asap as a main goal and can wait with the US.

3. Direct application, then MBA during leave: If your profile is already very competitive, there might be a third option: You could also try to break into consulting without Management degree. Then use the leave to do a company-sponsored MBA at a top school later.

Feel free to reach out directly to me to discuss further.

Cheers,

Kevin

Cristian

Coach

4 hrs ago

#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi there,

If you'd like to work in the US, then indeed, pursuing a degree there, in your case, is the smoothest path.

Typically, at the screening stage, what matters more than the degree is the university from which you will be getting it. So try to find whatever is close to business / finance / etc and which genuinely interests you and aim as high as possible in terms of universities.

Once you're in the program you can go via the graduate recruitment process and target consulting firms. Having that in mind, I'm sharing here a guide you might find useful to read:

Expert Guide: Build A Winning Application Strategy

Best,
Cristian