Bain & Company Hi, I'm a first semester student in Germany studying business administration and I'm currently being recruited for a working student position at Boston Consulting Group in Germany as a recruiter. Given that I want to work as a consultant at an MBB after graduating, I am confused on whether this job will help me reach my goals. Should I take the job at BCG or do an internship in Audit at a Big4 (which are the only ones that I am eligible for)? Thanks. McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company
Totally fine on this gig. Be transparent with your team about your goals, and they should navigate you. Also try to build some network in the BCG. Its early stage of carrier, so it’s very easy to flex.
Pro
I think I’m this case it’s a bit better to try and get your foot in the door at BCG. Build a strong reputation while also vocalising your interests
Rising Star
This is a difficult choice (on one hand, both are experiences and some experience is better than none; on the other hand both are quite distant from consulting)
Interning at BCG at least puts you in the same environment as consultants; you'd be able to interact with them and even get some perspective of what the recruiting process looks from the inside.
Audit is not similar to consulting at all, and chances are you won't interact at all with KPMG consultants. But, it is "professional services" so you may see more of the client-facing interactions (although in audit client contact is limited at junior levels, let alone intern level). You'll also be able to look at companies' financial statements and reports which would be a beneficial experience when you get to consulting.
As a first-year, i don't think either of these experiences would have a massively negative impact on your chances post-graduation. While both can add at least something to your CV and story, neither is purpose-fit for consulting roles. Don't worry too much about your decision either way, between them there is no "bad choice".
I'd do auditing. At least it's client facing. At an internal recruiting role, it will be best impossible for you to switch. People with know you as the HR intern, not as a consulting intern.
Working student is fine, will give you very specific stories for the interview why you want to work at BCG. But you will work for the business service or knowledge team so you need to be clear that it’s no where near the same reputation like doing internship at BCG on a case team. You should see it as a working student job but still chase better internships in the semester holidays.