Hi Jacopo, 

Yes, you can definitely do it with a MiM. 

In the end, it's not the MiM that makes the difference, but the value proposition that you convey through your application package. 

That means that:

1. Your CV should show clear evidence of you having both experience and knowledge within Operations.

2. Your Cover Letter should provide the motivation as to why it is that Operations interests you so much. 

It would also help to network with recent hires in the Operations practice and figure out from that what made their application successful. You can use the following guide to conduct these discussions:

• Your Guide to Consulting Coffee Chats

Last but not least, make sure that you apply broadly for Operations roles. Even if MBB is your focus, start by applying to other firms to sharpen your skills. You can use the following guide to design this sort of strategy:

• Maximising your chances of getting a consulting job during an economic downturn

Best,
Cristian

Hi Jacopo,

You can definitely break into the Ops practice with a MiM, though you'll have to think carefully about how to position yourself in applications and how to talk to recruiting about your desired role!

Regarding your latter question, it seems like you are weighing up the appropriate factors, but no one apart from you can make that determination. You are right that it is easier to break into consulting from a more prestigious school, so you need to evaluate that + the location factor vs. the interest factor, and decide which is more important for you. There is no right answer, and it is possible to break into consulting with degrees from a “less prestigious” school too, if you go about it the right way.

Hi Jacopo!

Yes, it's possible to break into the Ops practice. That said, you are more likely to be pegged as a generalist. Especially for MBB, they prefer to hire and have you be generalist for a few years. Ops would be either later in your career at MBB or right away for certain boutiques/specialist firms.

Here's some more info on getting internships + full-time offers: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/how-to-get-a-consulting-internship-tips-and-tricks

Hi there,

I suggest you take a very outcome-oriented approach here - think where you want to be in a few years, then backsolve for what's the best way to get there - in my view, would be a MiM, let me explain:

1. If your primary goal is to get into McK or BCG, pick the option that will make it easier to get hired by those companies
2. Both firms highly value engineers, even if they don't have any business background. What they value even more though is candidates that have a track record of combining both disciplines, as it signals stronger business acumen and judgment from the start
3. Given you already cover the engineering side, a Masters in Management can be a great way to pick up the business side
4. In addition, MiM traditionally have a stronger reputation and track record in placing students into MBB firms. So, subject to the exact school, you will likely get more recruiting exposure to the top firms than you would from a more technical degree

Hope this helps.

Regards, Andi

Ciao Jacobo,

Thinking outcome oriented here might help you in making a decision: 

• Goal / objective of master: Why do you want to do a master? I am aware that it feels like a must in Italy, but technically it's not. So do you want to maximise chances to get into strategy consulting, deep dive in a certain field or have an “easier", less study and more personal growth experience?
• Where do you want to work? Be aware that consulting outside of Italy will be an uphill battle given the language barrier. So if you want to start your career in another country, choosing a university in the same country makes a lot of sense. In that case, Italy can be your second option during the application. 

Hope it helps, good luck with your future.

Best, Daniel