Congratulations on the offer!! That's wonderful news! To answer your questions:

What do I do until my internship starts in May? 

Depends on where you're at right now and what you feel like doing! Are you working? Studying? If so, you should probably just continue what you are doing, take some time off before the internship, and then start. If you feel like you have some free time and are eager to get going, you can always read up and do some trainings (I fully agree with Ian's pointers on what might be helpful here). But honestly, if this is a consulting internship you are talking about, learning on the job is how most of the learning happens. There's not a ton you can do outside of that to really prepare for what the job will involve. In any case, I would recommend taking some time off to rest before you start your internship to ensure that you come refreshed and full of energy!

Do I begin adding people on linked in? 

I would wait until you start the internship - that way there's more likelihood of an online connection morphing into an in-person one, or of you using LinkedIn as a tool to keep up existing connections.

Do I announce the offer on linked in?

Up to you! I think it's more typical to wait until you start the internship (or at least sign the offer) to add it to your LinkedIn, but if you would like to post an update sooner, there is nothing stopping you.

Keep learning and reading about business and financial markets. Make sure you know (just) the basics of powerpoint and excel. Enjoy your time.

That's it!

Hi there,

congrats!

In terms of prep I would not overdo it. What's helpful is to brush up on your PPT and Excel skills so you can hit the ground running. 

If you have time at hand, can also consider getting foundations in some advanced analytics tools like Tableau and Alteryx (e.g. used at BCG) - can be a big asset for an intern in my experience (I even hired interns in the past specifically for that. 

Rest will be learning on the job.

Hope this helps.

Regards, Andi 

Hi there!

Congrats! That's an amazing achievement. 

First of all, take some time off to enjoy the moment and to relax. There are few times in life when you have so much certainty and security ahead. So make the most out of it. 

Then, my core recommendation is to focus on developing SOFT SKILLS that will be crucial in consulting. 

The hard skills like excel, analytics… you'll learn on the job. Everybody ramps up on them pretty quickly. 

But what truly makes the difference is how strong you are on communication, influencing, etc. Seek out to develop yourself on these areas - either through formal training or self-development (e.g., reading).

Sharing with you also two guides that synthesize what it takes to be a distinctive consultant:

• Free Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant
• Free Guide: How to Manage for Lifestyle in Consulting

Best,
Cristian

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> SoyTechnologies  

Wohoo! Congrats! Love hearing this, especially when so many people are saying “no one is hiring”

Anyone reading this: even in a tough market, hiring still happens…keep pushing!

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Know that no-one can perfectly prepare for the job and that's the point: You will mess up, you will learn, you will be trained and supported. That's OK!

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First: Read the 25 tips in my consulting handbook

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Second: In terms of things you can learn/do to prepare beforehand:

1) Daily Reading

• The Economist, The Financial Times, BCG/Mskinsey Insights

2) Industry deep-dives

• Learn, in-depth, how the industries/companies your office advises, work. (PM me for an industry overview template)

3) Analytics tools

• Alteryx, Tableau, etc.

4) Excel

5) Powerpoint

• Best practices/standards
• Different layouts
• Quickly editing/updating slides
• Thinking in PowerPoint

6) Presentation skills / sharp communication

• There are some online/virtual classes for this

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Third: In terms of doing well in your role when you're there:

1) Understand the context/prompt (what role are you in, what company, who's watching, etc.)

2) Understand the objective (what, specifically, is expected from you...both day to day, and in your overall career progression)

3) Quickly process information, and focus on what's important - Take a lot of information and the unknown, find the most logical path, and focus on that.

4) Be comfortable with the unknown, and learn to brainstorm - think/speak like an expert without being one

In summary, there will always be a flood of information, expectations, competition etc. and not enough time. Find out which ones matter when. (i.e. be visibile and focus efforts on the things that people care about)

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Fourth: Here are some great prior Q&As for you!

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/what-makes-a-good-consultant-how-to-get-a-good-review-6790

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-hard-is-it-to-excel-in-top-consulting-firms-6762

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-to-become-an-engagement-manager-and-partner-quickly-6722

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/need-to-learn-skills-in-the-ample-free-time-before-starting-at-an-mbb-what-should-i-do-6774

Personally I don't recommend adding anyone on LinkedIn till you've met them in person and built a connection. This makes them more likely to accept your invite and to recall you if you ever reach out to them later. 

Same with announcing it - by all means announce it on LinkedIn but again wait till your first day to do so. This is best practice to avoid any issues if things change down the road. 

What you can do now is prepare for your internship or enjoy the time off before it by doing things you love. 

Best,

Udayan 

Hi,

Congrats on the offer.

My POV: just enjoy your stress-free time (since you know you already have an offer) and do what you want to do.

I asked for 4 months of break/gap after receiving the offer. I wish I had asked for more time.

In the long run, it really doesn't matter. A lot of your performance and trajectory on the job is dependent on what actually happens on the job and how you respond and navigate to it → take it from someone who has spent 8+ years in the industry.

You'll be busy enough when you start work. Life is short - enjoy your time now.

All the best!

Hi there,

1) What do I do until my internship starts in May? 

First of all, you might check if there is an option to start earlier if you would prefer so.

Alternatively, possible options in the meantime are:

1. Prepare for the GMAT (in case you want to do an MBA later on)
2. Improve your skills with Excel and PowerPoint
3. Freelance based on a skill you know/want to learn
4. Do an internship in a position that can help you long-term (eg sales)
5. Launch a website you can easily automate
6. Start a blog on a topic you know well
7. Support a local non-profit
8. Travel to a top destination you want to visit

2) Do I begin adding people on linked in? 

If you mean people in the office: I would not recommend adding people you don’t know yet. I would rather recommend waiting until you join the firm and meet your colleagues.

3) Do I announce the offer on linked in?

This is totally up to you. Personally, I would just add the work experience once you start to work.

Best,

Francesco