Is it possible to break into consulting at the age of 29 with administrative background?

Hi Zalak,

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

• It is certainly possible, even without an MBA. I would highly advise you to consider working with an experienced coach like me to create the strongest application you can and see what happens. If you are not invited in the end, you can still apply to prestigious MBA programs.

You can find more on this topic here: Boutique consulting companies.

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

Best,

Hagen

Hi Zalak,

You can apply without MBA with a bachelor degree from a non-target school, but based on my experience, success rate of even getting an interview will be low.

I would think for yourself why you see consulting as a good next step in your career by talking to (ex)consultants. If you are really convinced on pivoting into consulting, you can consider applying for a MBA.

Let me know if you want to elaborate more on this via chat.

Mattijs

Hi Zalak, 

hope you are doing well! :) 

It certainly is possible to break into Consulting even if you have chosen a different career path so far, especially in North America where switching careers is more common than in Europe. 

Going for an MBA is definitely the 'easiest' / most common option. It gives you the ability to reset your CV, break into the companies through internships and get a more commonly known school onto your CV. 

If you do not want to do an MBA, you can try to get access to a lateral hire process. However, those are rather rare and more specific to roles that the company is looking for (e.g., I was hired for the Corporate Finance team at BCG given my investment banking background). I think that is the more cumbersome and unpredictable route. Best way to tackle this in my opinion is to network with the respective companies. Do you know people working there? Is there somebody who could put in a referral for you? 

Happy to chat anytime. 

Best, 
Sebastian

 

Hey Zalak?, it is definitely possible to break into consulting at 29, even with an administrative background. You can leverage your experience as an EA and Operations Supervisor to highlight transferable skills like organization, problem-solving, and stakeholder management. Many have successfully transitioned into consulting by emphasizing their unique perspectives and building a strong network, especially in cities like Toronto. While an MBA can be helpful, it’s not the only route—consider certifications, case study practice, or targeting roles in internal consulting or operations that can serve as stepping stones. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat more about your path. Best, Alessa ?

Hi there,

Likely not for MBB or tier-2 firms.

At that age, you would need relevant experience (think strategy) in a F500 company or equivalent for Canada + demonstrate career progression and leadership experience

An MBA could help get the foot in the door for smaller consulting firms in the future.

All the best,

Florian

Hi,

Thanks for your question.

The short answer is yes, you may be able to but it will require a lot of networking and building some relevant experience that you can show as transferrable skill set to even get interview calls (I am not sure what EA stands for). The challenge is not your age but to be able to show you have relevant experience on your resume to be able to compete with other candidates with relevant background or MBA.

The long answer is asking yourself why do you want to switch into consulting. If it is a for better career prospects, then you may be better off investing in a MBA from a top tier school, that will not only open consulting doors for you but also other opportunities. Another question to ask is what kind of consulting are you interested in? Is it niche in an area you have experience in or more generalist. If you want to be a generalist, then it will be very difficult to break in without a MBA from a good school or relevant experience to show on your resume.

So ask yourself if you want to invest your time trying to take a long shot to get into a consulting role  or invest on a MBA for long term career growth. You have a long career in front of you - so think through very carefully. 

Feel free to reach out if any questions.

Thanks,

Soh

Hi,

If you are talking about MBB and T2 firms, realistically speaking I think it won't be possible, given your background. The only realistic path is if you were to get into a target MBA program. 

Hi Zalak,

It is possible ONLY if you show in your resume some indicator of excellence. Very high academic achievement for a target school, experience and a reputable firm with a strong track record, some other strong performance on other activities. Doesn't seem to be the case from what you describe.

So you either switch to a different career path and build your case, or alternatively, the best and easiest option is to pursue a top school MBA.

In any case, it doesn't hurt to apply.

Hey there, 

Possible, yes.... and difficult? maybe..

Ultimately what you want to do is to be able to pass the screening section of the recruiting process so that you put "the ball in your court" 

To pass the screening, you would want to reflect good academic track record, strong evidence of achievements, and potential for problem solving and consulting potential. If you can reflect this well in your profile and CV, then you have a chance... From there, it would be all about acing the case and behavioral interviews

All the best!!