Pursue Master’s or Try for MBB Without It?

Question

Hello Everyone,

I’m currently 27 and considering pursuing a specialized master's (not MBA) in Europe to improve my chances of getting into MBB. I already hold a B.E. in Industrial Engineering and an MSBA (Master of Science in Business Analytics) with top grades, and I have 2 years of experience, all outside consulting. Despite this, I’ve been struggling to get recognized by MBB in the Middle East, where the general trend is to enter consulting at around 22. Typically, candidates here secure an internship a year before graduating their engineering degree at 21 and then commit to an MBB offer the following year.

I’m wondering:

Should I pursue a specialized master’s at this stage?
If so, which types of programs/universities would best position me for MBB recruitment at this age?
If not, do I still have a chance of breaking into MBB without another degree?

Any insights or experiences would be much appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi!

I don't think that your age should worry you so much — I've known a lot of consultants who get into an MBB firm at 27 and later. Ultimately, your success comes down to:

1) Your ability to demonstrate that your past experiences have prepared you for a life of diagnosis and problem-solving — and especially with dealing with diverse problems and challenging circumstances and handling that pressure well.

2) Your ability to adapt to dynamic situations and still find a way out.

3) Your ability to prove that you've had a track-record of taking on challenging situations, implementing efficiency-driven changes to them, and thereby improving overall outcomes.

If you've already got a Master's degree under your belt, I'm not sure you necessarily need to do another one (although in consulting, which university you went to, or where you studied, can make a big difference). So, that would be a factor perhaps to consider. But you definitely don't need an MBA in order to land at one of the top consulting firms.

Please feel free to reach out for more specific advice. I'm very happy to help review your existing resume and advise you on potential next steps.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there,

1) Should I pursue a specialized master’s at this stage?

Is the main goal of the master to get into MBB? If so, I would target a top MBA rather than a Master if you want an additional degree. This should increase your chances and allow you to join at the post-MBA position.

2) If so, which types of programs/universities would best position me for MBB recruitment at this age?

I would target a top MBA for which you see a track record in the Middle East (eg INSEAD).

3) If not, do I still have a chance of breaking into MBB without another degree?

Yes, but it is difficult to comment on the chances without more information. You may (i) apply now and, if it doesn’t work, (ii) apply to a top MBA (assuming it would be useful for your career regardless of MBB) and apply again after it.

Good luck!

Francesco

Answer 3

Hi there,

Another specialized Master's will not move the needle. If you invest into another degree, I'd definitely go with a well-recognized MBA. Everything else would not move the needle much and is bad in terms of time and financial investment.

All the best,

Florian

Answer 4

Hi there,

In addition to prior responses highlighting a target school MBA as the most pragmatic option for you to get into MBB at this point, you may consider networking and applying to get into Tier 2 / Big 4 firms to gain consulting experience that would make your profile more attractive to MBB.

Fathu

Answer 5

Hi there,

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

First of all, if you’re certain that consulting is the right profession for you, I do not see any reason to stall by doing a Master’s degree.
Moreover, as you’re struggling to get invited by consulting firms, I would highly advise you to consider working with an experienced coach like me on your application files, as there is a high chance that your application is not set up for success.

You can find more on this topic here: How to deal with a rejection from a consulting company.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Answer 6

Typically, in depth screening is completed by the ACs / Consultants at the office that you are looking to apply to on... (read entire answer)

Typically, in depth screening is completed by the ACs / Consultants at the office that you are looking to apply to once you have made it past the initial filters. HR will assist... (read entire answer)

Answer 7

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best... (read entire answer)

Let me take a crack at this (in English) since no-one has addressed this. Top consultancies typically want the best people regardless of their background. Yes, some roles are... (read entire answer)

Answer 8

This is a great, great question... that I suspect no-one can systematically answer :) Unless you have spent significa... (read entire answer)

This is a great, great question... that I suspect no-one can systematically answer :) Unless you have spent significant time working for or with all three, how can you truly com... (read entire answer)