Hi there,
First and foremost you need to network! A lot. Get out there and start talking to people. Talk to your career center (yes, the university has resources to help you know which firms are recruiting there), talk to colleagues/friends, reach out to people on linkedin, etc.
Second, apply to LOTs of jobs. I'm talking 20-30+. Don't limit yourself to just a few.
1.Would positions in product/project management at early-stage startups be good experience or do consulting firms prefer to see big brand names on one's resume? From your experience, what would you consider to be the best type of internships to get for an undergrad?
Answer: Get a LOT of experiences and get a wide range. During my undergrad studies I worked at 6 firms/organizations (during summer and semester studies). Product management, banking, consulting, internal roles, etc. all work. The most important is having a lot of work experience.
My internships/early roles:
- Economic Clerk - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Economic Clerk - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- English Teacher - Association Happy Free Time (In France)
- Junior Year During School
- Graduate Research Assistant - National Opinion Research Center
- Office Automation Clerk - U.S. Census Bureau
- Senior Year During School
- Teaching Assistant - University of Maryland
- Senior Year During School
For undergraduate internships, consulting firms usually appreciate diverse experiences, so positions in product/project management at early-stage startups can be valuable. However, having big brand names on your resume can also be advantageous, as it demonstrates your ability to work in a structured environment and with a larger team. The best type of internships for undergraduates would be those that provide exposure to problem-solving, analytical thinking, teamwork, and communication. Internships in consulting, investment banking, or even in big corporations with rotational programs can be helpful. In summary, both startup and big brand experiences can be valuable as long as you can demonstrate the skills consulting firms are looking for.
2.Can on-campus positions such as research or teacher assistant also be viewed as good experience to add on a resume?
Yes.
3.Should one include entrepreneurial projects on a resume? (even if you haven't really built a product yet but developed go-to-market strategy etc.)
Yes, you should include entrepreneurial projects on your resume, even if you haven't built a product yet. Developing a go-to-market strategy, working on business plans, and conducting market research are all valuable skills that consulting firms appreciate. Make sure to emphasize the skills you gained and the impact you made in your entrepreneurial project, as well as how those experiences relate to consulting.