MBA at 35: Path to MBB Consulting Without Corporate Experience?

Hi,

I've screened experience hire profiles before during my time at BCG. Given your profile I think it would be hard to transition to MBB. There are several markers that firms typically look for as proxy for the profile of people they are looking for, and your experience does not line up with that, at least for the generalist role

I understand you are tired of design, but probably if you are aiming for MBB you could see if you can qualify for something like BCG X / Digital Ventures, doing a design related role

Alternatively - T2 or boutique consulting firms could be an option

Hi Andres,

First of all, congratulations on your career trajectory thus far!

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

• First of all, no one can seriously answer the question of whether or not you would be invited to the interviews until you have tried.
• Moreover, while your background may not overlap much with the typical work of strategy consulting firms, your brand (strategy) expertise may still be of interest to them.

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 applications, pre-interview assessments and/or interviews, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing your background! Transitioning into consulting at 37 with a local MBA and no direct corporate experience is challenging but absolutely possible with the right approach. MBB typically hires MBAs into associate-level roles and prioritizes candidates with strong business experience or top-tier MBA backgrounds. However, your extensive leadership, client management, and problem-solving skills—combined with your sociology and anthropology expertise—can be valuable differentiators. The key will be demonstrating strong business acumen, quantitative skills, and a structured problem-solving approach.

A local MBA can help, but make sure it has strong networking opportunities and a track record of placing graduates into consulting. Beyond MBB, Tier 2 firms such as EY-Parthenon, Strategy&, Roland Berger, and Oliver Wyman could offer strong entry points, as they may value your unique background in brand strategy and transformation.  Your experience leading teams, working with major corporations, and managing complex projects aligns well with consulting—what’s missing is the corporate finance and business case-solving exposure, which an MBA or targeted upskilling can address. If you’re committed and strategic about this transition, it’s absolutely feasible! 

Please feel to reach out if you need more guidance / help to prep! 

Best,

Evelina

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your background and aspirations. Transitioning into consulting at 37 with an MBA, even without direct corporate experience, is feasible, but it will require strategic positioning of your strengths.

Here’s what firms, especially MBB, will look for:

1. Leadership & Client-Facing Experience: Your experience leading teams and managing client relationships is highly valuable. Consultants need to manage clients and projects, which you’ve already demonstrated in your current role. Make sure to highlight these skills in your CV and interviews.
2. Transferable Skills: While you don’t have corporate finance experience, your background in managing teams and working under pressure is highly transferable. Consultants are problem solvers, so frame your experience in terms of how you've addressed business challenges, driven results, and influenced decision-making.
3. MBA Choice: While an Ivy League MBA helps, it's not a requirement for MBB. A local MBA can still add value, especially if it’s a reputable program with a strong network and strong placements in consulting. Firms value your diverse perspective, and your entrepreneurial experience will stand out as well.

To improve your chances:

• Network aggressively with current consultants to gain insights and possibly referrals.
• Learn case studies and consulting frameworks to ensure you’re well-prepared for case interviews.
• Tailor your story: Highlight why consulting excites you, what skills you bring to the table, and how your experience sets you up to excel in consulting.

It’s not an easy transition, but with the right preparation and focus, it’s certainly achievable. Best of luck!

Hi there,

To be fully honest (and not to provide a sugar-coated AI answer), your profile is too far detached from what MBB firms look for at that level of seniority and I don't really see a way to make it fit.

This is by no means an insult to your professional development, just highlighting the mismatch I see with MBB requirements and reality.

What could work are smaller boutique firms with a very specific focus, where your experience can be leveraged.

All the best,

Florian

Hey!

I would argue it is challenging but not impossible. From my experience, your leadership, client management, and problem-solving skills are valuable, but you'll need to bridge gaps in corporate finance and structured problem-solving.

I would advise to: 

1. Target firms with strong LatAm presence (MBB may be tough, but Tier 2 & boutique firms could be more open).
2. Leverage your network—referrals are crucial.
3. Consider executive MBA programs or specialized consulting prep to strengthen your business acumen.

If consulting excites you, go for it! Feel free to reach out for more advice. 🚀

Alessa

Hi there!

I have worked with people with a non-conventional background that were hired in their field of expertise after their 35+. E.g.: an EM that only worked with banking projects in collections workstreams due to his past experience in this field (as a top performer and former owner of collections business), an AP that used to be c-level of an automotive industry and mostly worked with projects in this industry; and a lead designer that kept being a designer (his field of expertise prior to consulting) but working across projects. 
My point is that maybe you can leverage your existing experience to contribute to projects that may need it. That being said, (1) you wouldn’t need a MBA, (2) you would need to find a geo and company that would be interested in your profile. 
If I were you, I would start networking to find people that broke into consulting as experienced hires and have non-conventional backgrounds. To do so, see if you have first connections on LinkedIn that are connected to consultants and could present you them. By telling your story, these consultants may refer you to cases like the ones I mentioned and you’ll be able to understand the right path and approach to become a consultant given your experience.
Best of luck!

Mari

Hey there, 

Let me put it this way... Consulting firms are somewhat age agnostic... Coming in at age 37 will not deter them from accepting you, but it will be more of a "you" consideration (i.e. if work-life balance makes sense for your cirucmstances etc)

Consulting firms accept a vast array of profiles, not just those with corporate experience! So don't worry about this being the only measure to satisfy :-)

Make sure when you apply, you show in your CV and profile evidence of problem solving and generating a lot of achievements and impact

All the best