Hi... I want to pursue a career in management consulting for a top ranked firm (my fav would BCG), I have MBA in finance from a good school in india (non-IIM) and have done bachelors in IT. As far as my work-exp so far, I have worked at Merrill Lynch India for couple of years in institutional sales for ML Mutual funds in India, and the for the last year have been in a large Pension Fund company in NYC, as front office support working for portfolio managers of various strategies. I am debating if i should go back to Grad school for another MBA in order to step into these companies, or are there other ways of getting my foot in the door. Would greatly appreciate some feedback from a current consultant.

If you can get into a top-ranked US MBA programme, that is likely to be your best short-term option. It would be fair to say that you're older than firms would consider for graduate entry, but don't have the depth of background in consulting to get in as an experienced hire.As a long-term option, you could remain in financial services and work hard to build a reputation for yourself. If you aim for a management position and gather a few years experience there, you may be able to make a mid-career change into consulting.

why would anyone want to do TWO MBAs?

Proliferation of the education industry perhaps?

I would suggest to look for opportunities in India offices of these firms first. Try to talk to some folks in these offices first and have a good story around why you want to move to management consulting from finance.You experience would be relevant there. If you go for a second MBA try a top European or US program for the global brand.Good Luck,Consultingjunkie.com

Thx for ur advice... I cannot move back to India as my family is here.. Instead of a full fledged MBA do u think i could consider doing some masters programme/certfication in Strategy from a Top notch school? I wish I could get some information on the batch placement profile for these programs..

Waste of time. none of the top firms care about random certificates.They recruit people, broadly speaking, in two ways:1) From undergrad or postgrad top-ranked institutions2) People with relevant experience of use to them, eg doctors, people from the likes of P&G and other blue-chip companiesIt seems that you, unfortunately, fit neither of these.Going back to business school would theoretically make sense, and your work experience to date would suggest that it would give you the leg up you need to have a shot. Except you have an MBA already and so I would imagine that all of the top schools would have some significant concerns with your application. Certainly I would if I was interviewing you for my B-school.The other option, to gain more (relevant) experience, would also make sense, but I don't know how you go about getting it from where you are now.Maybe you should try both routes and see what you end up with. I would definitely have a plan B and a plan C though, as it may well be that it doesn't work out for you as you would like. Not everyone can work for BCG.

It is clearly an expensive route, but a friend of mine had a similar background to yourself and went to do a second MBA at LBS. While he was older than some he has made good progress since as a consultant. The investment was huge and he has worked incredibly hard to get where he is, but it is possible. Not necessarily the right move for everybody of course.

I think he should do a third MBA. Two MBAs just isn't enough these days.

Its better, usually, to treasure your initial MBA and realise that top consulting firms normally recruit based on your experience and qualifications.

"Its better, usually, to treasure your initial MBA and realise that top consulting firms normally recruit based on your experience and qualifications"The whole point of this thread is that his experience and qualifications are not good enough right now to take him where he wants to go...

Thx for ur advice guys... I think the best option would be to go for another MBA...I have a priniciple in life that I have follwed always' with HARD WORK and DETERMINATION nothing is impossible'...