Hi there,I am graduating this summer, and would like to get into strategy consulting.I had a go at securing a grad placement with MBBB, but only got as far as 2nd round with Mck, Bain, BCG.I'm am unsure about what to do next. Assuming I still want to get into MBBB or niche strat firms, what is my best bet: keeping trying with a few more firms, even apply for a 2nd time with MBBB this coming milkround? or, should I go into an industry role and then try again in a few years, possibly after doing an MBA. If so, what graduate-level industry roles would put me in the best possible position for this?Thanks !

if you do not get in at graduate level, you should probably go the industry + MBA toue in and join in your late twenties/early thirties at a much more senior level. I still have memories of people I know at school who became part of DORC - double Oxbridge reject club. The same principle applies. I suspect the waiting time is pretty long and it would be a little depressing to join in a couple of years time only to find yourself reporting into someone less experienced than you as could be the case. If you do go the industry + MBA route, you must make sure you get some sort of commercial/strategy/project management type of role (avoid accounting or IT for these purposes) with a very reputable/established company. If you have an interest in FMCG, try to aim for a Unilever/P&G or equally well known firm. If you fancy yourself in telecoms, get into a Cisco, T-Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, BT etc. This way, you have a chance of getting snapped up later in your career. For experienced hires, your background has to appear on presentations. You will not get in if you spend the next few years doing extremely rewarding work for Botchit and Scratchit plc.

What about starting in Industry and then move to Consultancy at Manager level? Does it make sense to be in IT consultancy and then do an MBA? Are MBAs valued?