I am a recent graduate and want to enter the consulting industry but have no experience beyond a single internship. How do I break into the industry?

Hey — I can really relate to your situation. I was an international student too, did a PhD in biology, and had zero formal business background. Like you, I wasn’t initially aiming for consulting: I pivoted after getting exposure to it and realized I loved the problem-solving and impact. After rejections and learning along the way, I eventually joined McKinsey in North America.

From what you shared, it sounds like you do have a compelling story — you just need to make it “legible” to consulting firms.

A few things that helped me (and I’d recommend):

• Translate your experience into consulting language. Even a single internship can show structured thinking, ownership, and impact — the key is how you frame it on your resume.

• Start practicing cases early. Even before interviews — it helps you think like a consultant and sharpen your communication.

• Target firms where your background adds value. With your Pharma + entrepreneurship degree, life sciences or healthcare-focused consultancies might be a great starting point.

If it’s helpful, I’m happy to share more about how I made the switch — resume tips, how I told my pivot story, or what worked during prep.

Hi Joseph,

First of all, I am sorry to hear about the rejections!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your situation:

• First of all, I would advise you to polish your resume (and cover letter) to perfection, as there is a high chance that it does not yet convey your experience and strengths. Feel free to contact me if you'd like my help.
• Moreover, I would advise you to apply to different consulting firms and/or countries where you have work permits.

You can find more on this topic here: How to deal with a rejection from a consulting company.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there!

If you have accumulated good achievements in this single experience, have a good GPA and can get a referral (preferably, not obligatory), you should be able to join the recruiting process. UCL is a target school, which already counts for you! Also, if you have the time, you can engage in other activities to get more experience, such as volunteering. Let me know if a professional session to craft a strong CV would be helpful. That is the key to be considered for the process.

Regarding the fact you’re an international student, have you thought about returning to your country? If you are, take a look at this upcoming webinar I found at McKinsey's website:

Are you an international student studying at a UK University interested in making a difference in your home country? Are you interested in management consulting and working in one of the McKinsey offices outside of the UK? We are excited to invite you to our virtual International Reception on Thursday, 17 April 2025

If you want to stay in UK, contact the   recruiter mentioned in the UCL McKinsey’s page to understand if this is feasible.

Good luck!

Mari

You need a strong profile to get an interview. What we know is that you've tried and didn't make it. So know you are on the ban list for 12 months for those companies, there isn't much you can do. Of course you can get your CV professionally reviewed to improve your chances and apply to boutiques.

So a few options for you:

- Apply for boutiques

- Apply for corporate jobs, particularly corporate strategy

- Apply to a country to which you have working rights

Hi there,

Without a detailed look at your CV, it's impossible to provide tailored feeback -> feel free to share it. Happy to take a quick look and provide some insights.

Cheers,

Florian

Hey there ?

Thanks for sharing so openly—and honestly, you’re in a better position than you might think! You’ve got a UCL degree ?, a clear motivation for consulting, and even a tangible link through that analyst internship. That's already a story you can work with ✨

Here are a few key things I'd recommend:

1. Make your profile consulting-ready: Highlight transferable skills (problem solving, communication, analytical thinking) and quantify impact from your internship. Even if it wasn’t “strategy,” structure your CV in a consulting-style format. Let me know if you want help on that!

2. Expand beyond MBB for now: Apply to boutiques and Tier 2 firms (e.g. OC&C, LEK, Roland Berger, Simon-Kucher, etc.) as they may have more flexibility and still offer fantastic learning + exit opportunities.

3. Start with internships if needed: Even if you’re already graduated, some firms still offer internships to recent grads, especially in London. This could be a great path to convert to full-time.

4. Address the visa concern strategically: For now, apply to firms that sponsor and don’t highlight the visa need too early. Once you’re through the door, it’s easier to have that conversation.

5. Get referral-ready: Reach out to alumni, former UCL grads in consulting, or even attend consulting events—referrals help massively and your UCL background is a door-opener if positioned right ?

You’ve got the right foundation—and with a bit of strategy and coaching, I’m confident we can get you in front of the right people. I’m happy to help more personally with CV prep, positioning, and even mock interviews if you’d like ?

Best,
Alessa ?

Hi there,

Both your school and degree are good. If you are not getting interviews, likely your resume needs some further work to be more attractive for the recruiters. 

For international student, it would definitely be more challenging compared to locals. Have you considered looking for consulting opportunities in countries you already have permit / right to work? 

Additionally, I am not sure how long you have graduated? If you have already been out of school for a bit, the consulting firms might prefer to consider application after the candidate has worked for 2-3 years, as that would allow the candidate to gain some relevant experience with transferrable skills. 

Best,

Emily