Hello,I am currently a final year university student studying Business and Marketing and predicted a high 2:1 degree. Whilst studying I am also contracted on a part-time basis to two firms, one is a student consultancy working on real-life projects for external organisations and one is a defence company for which I offer consultancy advice and project SME. I am extremely enthusiastic about a career in consultancy and feel I have more experience for someone my age (22) than many others in the marketplace. However, I am finding it very difficult to source consultancy companies offering entry-level opportunities. Can anyone help with my search? I would appreciate any advice or guidance. Many thanks,Nick Smithnsmith3003@gmail.com

In what SM can you possibly be an E?

We are all thinking it so I'll go ahead and say it... You are 22, not even graduated yet. so what on God's clean Earth are companies paying you for 'consultancy' - consultancy in what exactly?! What's good on daytime TV?I reckon you are trying to sell yourself as something between a raw grad and an experienced hire, when in fact you are a raw grad - and a pretentious one at that. Apply for grad schemes along with your peers and forget this 'entry level consultant' nonsense before you waste more time and it's too late.

Aaaaagh, the innocence of youth!

I don't understand how you are unable to find firms with entry level positions. Surely all the major firms have grad schemes and all of them are interviewing right now?If you are trying to find niche firms that you will offer you a "better" experience with more client contact etc, where you can "really make a difference at a strategic level", then you are most likely wasting your time. You need to join a good firm and learn how things really work before you will get much interest from the smaller guys - they will want you to be trained up first.And what university are you at? Given that you don't say and that you are studying "business and marketing" this might be relevant too I fear

'real-life projects' - I like that!You're a pup....

I like the reference to the "high 2.1 degree". The "high" bit is the "cherry on the cake".

Are you not familiar with the concept of graduate schemes?

I must check my degree certificate to make sure it says "High 2:1" on it!

I got a low 2:1, which to my annoyance my university insists on calling a 2:2

2's a higher number than 1, right? So, I must have got a high 2.1 as well - almost a 2.2 in fact