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Market research vs M&A for consulting

Hi guys, ultimately I want to go into strategy consulting, but in the meantime before application cycles open I have the chance to do internships in either market research (large firm) or M&A (small boutique). Which of these would look best on a CV when applying for full-time consulting roles? Thanks

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Top answer
on Feb 16, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Both could work well. M&A may have some more transferable skills, but the answer also depends on:

  1. Brand of the two firms
  2. What exactly you are going to do in market research
  3. Possibility to show skills required in consulting with the two experiences (eg teamwork, problem-solving, opportunity to interact with top management)

In the end, I would also consider the general fit you find with the companies and which experience would genuinely interest you the most.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Clara
Coach
on Feb 16, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Congrats on your offers!

Honestly, both could work very well. I would ask myself the following: 

  • My target is consulting and MBB, BUT I know that it´s really competitive and there are chances that this does not happen. Which ones makes me happier, not as a "brige" to the next step, but as a job?
  • What is name and network of each of them?
  • Which are the exit opportunities?
  • Regarding the roles, how can I compare the degree of responsability, scope, etc.?

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Florian
Coach
on Feb 16, 2021
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hey there,

I'd personally recommend you to go for the M&A role. The skills you learn there are transferable to many jobs, especially top-tier consulting, whereas market research you would actually be outsourcing in MBB to support staff.

Also, in M&A you showcase your ability to handle pressure, deadlines, difficult situations, etc. Looks better on the resume AND probably provides you with better stories for the MBB fit interview.

Cheers,

Florian

Ian
Coach
on Feb 16, 2021
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi there,

Great that you have two offers! You should feel good about this :)

Honestly, we need more information to make good recommendations. i.e. Company/Brand, role, responsibilities, etc.

All things equal, the M&A would probably be best.

Ken
Coach
on Feb 16, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

Both sound like great options! I would choose based on the internship where you will get meaningful experience and learning over purely a well-known brand. You want to think ahead to which experience will help you have strong fit stories for your interviews as well as your CV. If you had me choose, I would probably go for the M&A role as it can be transferrable to strategy consulting and, as a smaller firm/less roles, also a differentiator amongst your peers.

Good luck!

on Feb 16, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi, congrats on the multiple offers. If your top goal is consulting I think acquiring the basic consulting skills in the M&A would be very important. I have only a doubt related to the brand of the research opportunity. If the firm is very prestigious (F500 etc.) maybe it is going to build a better cv to be considered for an invitation (especially if you are not coming from a top school)

What about internationally? Are both of the opportunities in the same country?

Best,
Antonello

Deleted user
edited on Feb 16, 2021

Can I challenge your thinking here please...choose the internship option which is more closer and aligned with your aspirations & values. Choosing something now to fit into MBB/other consulting in the future is the wrong way to look at it. What if I advice you to take the M&A option because it "looks" better on CV, but you end up hating it.

Make the choice thats better for you, enjoy it, give your best and MBB/Consulting will happen. I have seen people will all sorts of quirky backgrounds get into MBB.

3
Gaurav
Coach
on Feb 16, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360° coach(Ex-McKinsey+Certified Coach+Active recruiter)

Hi there, 

both options are great and congrats on having them!

The choice is yours, depending on what interests you more. 

If I had to choose (taking into account I wanted to apply for full time consulting role afterwards), I would go with M&A.

Hope it helps! 

Cheers, 

GB

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