Hi Crystal,

This is indeed an interesting question which is probably relevant for a lot of users, thus I am happy to provide my perspective on it:

• It's great to hear that you're interested in pursuing a career in strategy consulting, and that you're considering firms like Monitor Deloitte. While a non-traditional background can sometimes make it more challenging to break into the industry, it's certainly not impossible. In fact, many consulting firms value diversity of experience and perspective, and may be interested in your unique background and the skills and experiences you bring to the table.
• In terms of the case interviews, it's definitely common for candidates to be nervous about the mental math aspect. One way to prepare for this is to practice mental math exercises and become more comfortable with the types of calculations you may be asked to do during the interview. It's also important to remember that the case interview is not just about the math - it's about your ability to think critically, structure a problem, and communicate your ideas clearly. So, in addition to practicing your mental math, it can also be helpful to familiarize yourself with common case interview frameworks and practice using them to solve sample cases.
• As for positioning yourself for a transition into strategy consulting, one approach you could take is to highlight your experience in policy, your ability to design and develop strategies, and your passion for making an impact in the nonprofit sector. These are all valuable skills and experiences that can be relevant to strategy consulting. You can also consider taking courses or earning certifications to develop your skills in areas such as business analysis or strategic planning.
• Overall, while it may be challenging to make the transition from your current background to strategy consulting, it's definitely possible with the right preparation and mindset.

In case you want a more detailed discussion on what to do in your specific situation, please feel free to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

That is definitely possible and strategy firms actually like to hire from the public sector for the experience and your connections. :-)

Regarding your application, it would be exactly the same as for anyone else:

• Try to network to get referrals
• Draft excellent application documents
• Prepare 1-2 months for the interviews (all elements, which also includes taking some math courses and working on your mental math) based on your strengths and weaknesses

Let me know if you have any more concrete questions or follow-up questions.

In short, it's definitely possible and doable. 

All the best,

Florian

Hi Crystal,

Yes, almost anything is possible! But here's what you need to do:

1. Get as good a resume as possible
2. Get as good a cover letter as possible
3. Build up additional “quick” relevant experiences where possible
4. Network extensively

Good luck!

It is possible to be considered for consulting, but to me quite unlikely. 

Beyond that, I don't think that more than 6-12 months of seniority will be recognized. But that should not be a problem, given the opportunities MBB can give you.