MBA with an engineering background - little experience

Engineering experience MBA
New answer on Nov 18, 2020
5 Answers
2.2 k Views
Zeid asked on Oct 29, 2019

hello!

im a mechanical engineer with 2 years of experience, currently pursuing an MBA in the US.

my question is, is my low experience level a hindrance to getting a case interview with big consulting firms? I'm only applying to entry level jobs, where experience is not necessary and its said that its probably better if i have no experience at all.

any insights on this matter would help, and your advice is appreciated.

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 29, 2019
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi Zeid,

2 years of experience + an MBA is great to enter in MBB with a non-entry level position ("junior associate"/"associate" in McKinsey, "consultant" in BCG and Bain).

Moreover, you can find multiple paths suitable for your background (maybe in your case operations and implementation). Here you can find post MBA paths available in McK: https://www.mckinsey.com/careers/students

Best,

Antonello

Was this answer helpful?
Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 30, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.000+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ InterviewOffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching
Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous replied on Nov 01, 2019

Dear Zeid,

I can tell you my experience.

I also have a background in engineering, but right after my gradution I've applied at McKinsey as Business Analyst without any prevous working experience. After almost 3y as Business Analyst, I have been sponsored for an MBA that guarantee my Associate level.

Your case: 2 year of experience + MBA should allow you to apply for example at McKinsey not only at entry level, but directly at Associate level. What need to be assesed are your hard skills (data reading/performance evaluation/sensitivity analysis) and soft skills (management/leadership/autonomy), that are required at Associate level. Happy to deep-dive on this if you are interested.

Hope it helps. :)

Giulia

Was this answer helpful?
1
Vlad
Expert
replied on Oct 30, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Absolutely not! Your experience is more than enough. There is another problem:

  • Non-MBB firms will be happy to invite you
  • For MBB firms, the prestige of an MBA is important. While they hire in all schools, most candidates are hired from the top3 schools, while the other school have intense competition

What you can do is get a referral either from a current employee or one of your classmates who is the former MBB employee and can put you in a list of the on-campus recruiter

Best

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Nov 18, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

It would depend a bit on the MBA you are doing.

However, overall yes. The more experience, the better chances.

Good luck!

Was this answer helpful?
Antonello gave the best answer

Antonello

Premium + Coaching Expert
Content Creator
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching
261
Meetings
10,370
Q&A Upvotes
107
Awards
4.9
108 Reviews
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely