First year Economics student looking to break into Consulting, specifically MBB in London. Any advice? Any 1st year summer internships you'd recommend?

Prior to university, I've worked on multiple pro-bono consulting cases (student-led projects) which I enjoyed and so I have some level of understanding of the field as well.

Appreciate any help, thank you in advance!

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You’re early! 😉 You should look to apply for the various first year / second year programmes that exist (BCG Insight Programme between your first and second year, McK Discover + others) and then as others have said, internships in your penultimate year (though for full time roles in consulting you don’t need to have consulting internships, so if you’re also interested in startups / finance / banking internships may be the best time to try those).

Take part in and join the committees of campus societies or the sports you enjoy, and that way you can show/demonstrate the leadership and teamwork skills firms will also be looking for. Most importantly enjoy your time on campus!

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I wish someone had told me that you need to start planning your career from the moment you turn up at university...

There I was naively focussing on studies.

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Disagree C1, at least for MBB the intakes have been getting more diverse if anything.

You have to excel, but the generic 'do lots of things to pad my CV' tend to be looked at with accurate skepticism now.

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Just so you’re aware, we don’t do undergrad internships in London. But McK and BCG do. We do have campus events in the autumn though, case workshops, etc. So, when it comes time to apply for FT positions, we’ll be around.

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I see, thanks for letting me know!

Everybody’s said what you need to do already, load your cv with insight weeks, consulting challenges and then landing the internship in your penultimate year will be crucial. Before that, try and get something in your 1st year summer either a job in a commercial setting or a pro-bono experience. Working the summer camps in America can be good for demonstrating things like teamwork and problem solving and the experience is fun too.

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Our internship programs are only for penultimate year students and I expect that’s the same across MBB/T2.

Some other ones to consider are lower tier or boutique consulting firms, they might be open to a first year student. Any FTSE 100 companies, ideally in a commercial/ops/finance role. Any role is PE/Finance would also be looked at favourably.

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Only thing to add from what others have said is: do some cool stuff which isn’t academic related. Be a well rounded individual with interests & hobbies. All the academics etc is table stakes (and frankly boring) when I’m doing CV review.

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I’d even say the academics barely matter beyond course and uni. Get the low 2.1. Playing in the rugby or hockey teams, rowing squads or charitable societies will always be as important.

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Thank you all for the generous advice! I really appreciate it! I'd definitely use them and start early! Will also explore my interest and hobbies further rather than just filling up my CV!

Not at an MBB, but got to the final round of interviews. I agree with what a lot is people have said in the thread. Also went Warwick actually. Warwick Consulting society offers some great pro-bono consulting work, while I was there got to work with the National Grid and O2.

Consulting internships can be few and far between. Especially compared in finance. So I applied to both consulting and finance internships. Ended up doing finance which definitely helped with gain interviews at JP Morgan, BCG, Mckinsey, EY-P and Kearney.

Hobbies are also a big thing for sure, I was captain of sports teams and played Mens 1s Team BUCS (Which not everyone can do obviously). But finding a society or sport you enjoy and taking a leadership position helps you look more well rounded.

I'd also highly recommend applying to BCG Mentorship Scheme in your final year (though it's far away). Other firms might do it but that's what I was on in my final year at university. The experience was extremely help in crafting my CV, CL and case studies skill. Though I'm not at an MBB, I am in strategy consulting enjoying it so far, getting to the interview alone is hard enough. So making yourself look well rounded is key.

Find ways to differentiate yourself. Wasn't too hard for me I was studying chemistry. Have you considered a placement year or a year abroad also? Gives you another year to apply to 1 Year targeted events too. I did a lab placement abroad. Plus can show a lot of skills regardless of industry. Though MBB don't do placement years in consulting other firms do. You can use that to leverage yourself when applying to MBB.

Honestly surprised you know what you want to do this early on! I know I didn't first year at university. Don't put too much pressure on yourself and enjoy Warwick! Many more years ahead.

Feel free to DM me if you want to talk about it.

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