International new grad with no prior consulting experience, looking for tips to enter consulting industry

Question

I am an international student who recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics and Data Science in December 2024, and I’ve been navigating the early stages of my career while exploring how to break into the consulting industry.

Although I don’t have prior consulting experience, my background spans several industries: advertising, entertainment, nonprofit(start-up), and data analytics. Through internships and research projects, I’ve gained a variety of skills, but what has resonated with me most is the fast-paced, problem-solving nature of environments where I get to work closely with people.

After attending several consulting firm info sessions, I was drawn to the personal growth opportunities in this field — the steep learning curve, the client-facing work, and the sense of achievement that comes from solving real business challenges.

I’d love any insights on the following:

Is it still possible to break into consulting with a non-traditional background like mine (esp under current market condition)?
Since I graduated in December 2024, would I still be eligible to apply for new grad, full-time consulting roles in 2025?

Thanks so much in advance — I really appreciate your time and advice!

Answer 1

Hi there,

It is of course possible to break into consulting. Your background is, on the contrary to what you think, not uncommon in consulting. There are many consultants who graduated from economics major; plus, data science can be quite useful in consulting. So no worries about your background at all. Key is how good your resume looks to pass the screening bar.

Since you graduated already, usually you won't be able to follow the school / campus recruiting cycle. The best would be to check with the firms' recruiting teams for specific details.

Best,

Emily

Answer 2

Hi!

To answer your questions:

Yes! Economic downturns and uncertain times have always occurred, and while they may slow down recruitment, it doesn’t mean your chances are lower.

Your background is very suitable for consulting, it shows strong analytical skills and the ability to work across different industries.

It depends. It depends on what the recruiting team allows. Since it’s already mid-year, I’d recommend reaching out to them directly to confirm. That said, recruitment happens year-round, so send in your application when you’re ready.

What I’d recommend:

Tailor your CV to highlight:
- Your analytical skills
- Any leadership roles
- What you’ve accomplished (include numbers or metrics where possible)
Network!
- Cold-message people on LinkedIn
- Use your school’s alumni network, have any peers gone into MBB? Grab a coffee and ask them how they did it.
- If you’re still a grad, your school may have a consulting club. Reach out to those members.
Start preparing:
- When practicing cases, do them with people who know how to give good feedback, quality over quantity.
- Once you’ve learned some frameworks, watch a real case to get a feel for the process. Here’s a great example (imagine this happening online):
  👉 YouTube – Real Case Interview
- Use the free resources on PrepLounge:
  - Case Interview Basics
  - Mental Math Practice

Good luck and happy to chat!

Answer 3

Hi there!

Thanks for sharing an overview of your experience.

To answer your question directly, yes, you can join consulting without a traditional background. I also went through the same track, and I've seen this already with plenty of candidates. What you need to signal instead is that you have the skills that they are looking for and an avid interest in consulting. Business knowledge matters less.

There are a few materials I've created for candidates in your situation which you might find useful:

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi there,

Generally, yes, it’s possible. That said, when applying to firms in the U.S., certain prerequisites usually need to be met: the reputation and pedigree of your university and program, your GPA, relevant work experience, and a clear growth trajectory across jobs or internships.

If you’re open to sharing a bit more about your background, I’d be happy to offer a more tailored assessment.

All the best,
Florian

Answer 5

Hi,

Good to hear you are interested in consulting.

1) Yes, it's definitely possible to break into consulting. MBB firms are looking for candidates with a more diverse background who can bring something different to the table.

2) It will depend on the availabilities and possitions already filled. Best to reach out to HR of the specific office/firm.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Mattijs

Answer 6

Hello!

1 - It's definitely possible to enter the consulting industry with your background - you also have the additional chance to join BCG and McKinsey's data science and engineering teams (e.g., BCG X) if you want exposure to consulting whilst building on your experience
2 - It's possible, however some firms give 1 year runway post-graduation for fresh grads, before they are considered experienced hires, so ideally you need to apply before December 2025.

Best,

Answer 7

Yes, perfectly possible to break into consulting, particularly given your background. I would not consider your background to be non-traditional, by the way.

Yes, you should be able to new graduate roles at this point in time.

Answer 8

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your questions:

First of all, it is certainly possible to get into consulting with your background, which does not seem to be uncommon. However, it depends a lot on your specific background and experience, such as your university, GPA, internship roles, etc.
Moreover, since you graduated at the end of last year, most consulting firms will most likely still consider you for entry-level positions in 2025. I would strongly advise you to contact the recruiting departments to know for sure.

You can find more on this topic here: How to succeed in the final interview round.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to best prepare for your upcoming pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen