2nd Consulting- vs Start-Up internship abroad when aiming for MBB

internship MBB start-up
Neue Antwort am 21. Feb. 2021
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Anonym A fragte am 6. Feb. 2021

Hi everybody,

I am in my second master's semester at one of the typical business schools in continental Europe, currently undergoing a (T3) consulting internship. Compared with former internship experiences across banking and US-Tech, consulting is what I enjoy the most so far, meaning that at this point of time, I could very much imagine starting my career here after graduation. Subsequently, I am obviously aiming for a role at MBB where I, however, was rejected at CV-screening stage half a year ago.

For the upcoming summer, I am now holding two internship offers where I would love to ask for your thoughts and advice on which offer to accept, etc.:

1) Another consulting firm of equal reputation and brand

2) Business Development at Tech Start-Up abroad in London

Given my stated long-term goal (at this point of time at least) of working at MBB, one might usually opt for option 1) to gain more experience in the same field. That being said, I am unsure if simply more "quantity" would have a large impact on my chances when re-applying at MBB if there was no next step in terms of firm reputation, etc. In the same sense, I would be interested whether "changing perspectives" with option 2) + going abroad would have any positive/negative impact when applying at MBB later on. I am, frankly speaking, kind of attracted of going to London over the summer and experiencing a whole new setting compared to my current experiences. However, I would like to keep my chances at MBB high, too.


Looking forward to your input & Many thanks in advance

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Ian
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antwortete am 6. Feb. 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

" I am, frankly speaking, kind of attracted of going to London over the summer and experiencing a whole new setting compared to my current experiences"

I personally think you have your answer here. You're going to enjoy the experience you're already excited for much more. Here, you'll fit in, thrive, and develop much further. I think, in your gut, you've already made up your mind. Go with your gut :)

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Anonym A am 7. Feb. 2021

Hi Ian, I've think you've got a really good point here! Thanks :)

Francesco
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antwortete am 7. Feb. 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Both options are fine. If you find more interesting the startup experience – go for that. There won’t be any major impact on your CV if you don’t go for the consulting internship, given that you already have experience with that.

I hired several people in BD internship roles in my first startup and those that wanted to move to consulting after did manage to do so without any issues.

Best,
Francesco

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Anonym am 7. Feb. 2021

Dear Francesco, nice, to have someone tell from their own experience! Thi surely gives me some confidence in my decision.

(editiert)

Udayan
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bearbeitete eine Antwort am 6. Feb. 2021
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

Go to London - you will enjoy the experience especially because you are already leaning in that direction. There will be no negative consequences on your likelihood of getting into MBB based on that.

The bigger issue is being rejected at the screening round. What University and what course are you doing?

Udayan

(editiert)

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Anonym A am 6. Feb. 2021

Cheers Udayan for your insights! As you discovered correctly, I indeed feel quite some attraction of going to London this summer (given Covid will allow to do so). As already outlined in my answers to Luca & Florian, I graduated in Econ from a national Semi-Target University with an above average but not ideal GPA. The GPA got my to various T2/T3 Banking & Consulting interviews which is why I feel that it isn't "too bad". That being said, I do indeed lack a bit compared to what I would guess the average MBB applicant.

Florian
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antwortete am 6. Feb. 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

Congrats on the 2 offers! :-)

I'd personally lean towards the consulting role for prestige and skills transfer. However, any idea why you failed the screening stage?

I always argue to optimize the following 4 dimensions when aiming at MBB:

  • University
  • Career
  • Experience abroad
  • Extracurriculars

If you tell me you are strong in all but experience abroad, then that might change my answer in favor of the startup.

Cheers,

Florian

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Anonym A am 6. Feb. 2021

Dear Florian, Thank you for your message! The previous rejection is, as far as I can tell, a mixture between University and Career: I graduated from a Semi-Target University (among the top 3 within my country + on-campus Workshops with MBB, however, no "Target" as compared to e. g. LSE, HEC, etc,) with an above average but not ideal GPA. Compared with fellow alumnis and friends who made the move to MBB, my grades lack a bit behind. That being said, I am quite certain that I am still "in the range", as I got interview invites from a couple of T2 & T3 firms. Moreover, as mentioned in my original post, I already bring some professional experience from Banking (T3 M&A) and US-Tech (Sales). On the other hand, when applying to MBB last year, I did not have any experience in consulting – neither in student societies nor any firms on the street.

Luca
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antwortete am 6. Feb. 2021
BCG |NASA | SDA Bocconi & Cattolica partner | GMAT expert 780/800 score | 200+ students coached

Hello,

If the new internship is not a significant step-up in terms of brand I would suggest to do simply what you prefer. They will ask you why, after trying consulting, you decided to change but you can answer this quite easily using 3 main levers:

  1. International experience and curiosity are two things that MBB value a lot
  2. You wanted to try something different before making a choice for your first job and now you are completely sure about consulting
  3. Start-up environment and entrepreneurial spirit are always a good add-on

Best,
Luca

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Anonym A am 6. Feb. 2021

Thanks, Luca, for sharing your thoughts! I have no doubt that I'd be able to "sell" my visit into another field IF I would be able to get to the interview stage. I am mainly concerned that, given my good-but-not-great Bachelor's degree GPA + lack of consulting! experience (I do bring decent experience in other fields such as Banking (T3 M&A) and US-Tech (Sales), I might fail to pass the initial screening round again with only one actual consulting internship.

Henning
Experte
antwortete am 7. Feb. 2021
Bain | passed >15 MBB interviews as a candidate

I agree with the other coaches. Both internships provide an additional label in your CV that will help strengthen your profile. Do what you feel gives you the more interesting learning opportunity.

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Anonym A am 7. Feb. 2021

Makes sense, thanks Henning!

Clara
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antwortete am 7. Feb. 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

By reading your very detailed post, seems that what you want to do is go to London and keep exploring :)

The good thing thing here is that you would not make a mistake with any of the options. Hence, at this point, follow your heart and your passion, that is a guarantee.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Gaurav
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Content Creator
antwortete am 7. Feb. 2021
Ex-Mckinsey|Certified Career Coach |Placed 500+ candidates at MBB & other consultancies

Hi there,

congrats on both offers!

Both options are great. I personally think that the tech start-up might be more interesting and hence efficient for you simply due to the facts that a) it's a new experience and b) it's in London which you are curious about.

Hope it helps!

GB

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Antonello
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antwortete am 8. Feb. 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

HI, first of all congrats on the offers! I confirm both experiences will be relevant, I would prioritize what you are really interested in, and from your words I guess it's the start-up

Best,
Antonello

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Raj
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antwortete am 21. Feb. 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

I would recommend exploring the option that you think you'll enjoy / learn more from. There's no reason you would be at a disadvantage for FT hiring in consulting if you didn't intern in consulting, and if anything would add an edge

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Ian

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#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate
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