Hi I was wondering if you could help me I have just Graduated with a 2.1 in Marketing and I really want to pursue a career as a Strategy Consultant I'm finding it very difficult to get any where even into a grad scheme as I don't have A levels as I went down the HND route. I have a big passion for this field and would like to specialise in Technology, I think the main problem is I didn't go to an Ivy league uni Leeds met is hardly known for being in the top 20 what can I do to help my self get on the path??

Harsh but true: A 2.1 in Marketing from Leeds with no A-levels is unlikely to impress a strat house. Focus your efforts elsewhere (maybe building expertise in technology) then do an MBA at a first-rate institution and get top-marks.Joining a strat house is something that you should be targetting 4-5 years in the future -- applications at this stage are unlikely to be successful.

Thanks for that straight talking answer I like to hear the truth means i can get on with it. Once again thanks.

Unfortunately this is probably true. The rights and wrongs of the academic elitism have been debated quite a bit on this board - but whatever your opinions on it, it seems to be what happens. I got a First from a redbrick not too far your own in a "hard" subject, plus the A-Levels and all that, and I don't think the strategy consultants would look at me either. However, it hasn't stopped me working at a reasonably large and prestigious place from which one day I might just possibly be able to make the move. The solid work exp then MBA route then a spot of consultancy might work for you though. The Technology side is not really my bag but another option would be a more IT-focussed place?

Thanks for your thoughts there I am just glad to see that it wasn't me just making this up in my head I thought my 2.1 would absolve me from my lack of A levels but I was wrong!! Oh well the fight goes on.

"......a more IT-focussed place?"Such as?

Well, at Accenture you might encounter the same sort of problems re A Levels...but I don't know how it is at somewhere "IT-focussed" like one of the places more occupied with systems integration - LogicaCMG perhaps - if you could demonstrate your skills and enthusiasm for technology? I would have thought that at least they wouldn't be so hung up on the Oxbridge degree - perhaps this might also be of interest as a way of starting one's career?

Accenture / IBM / CSC / Logica / any of the other big IT houses.