Should you do an MBA before joining consulting?
Does doing an MBA substantially improve your chances of getting into consulting in 2023? And does it really help you once you’ve become a consultant?
Does an MBA help you break into and succeed in Consulting?
The answer is: it depends. In the UK, only 21% of consulting hires had an MBA.This rises to over one third for consultants in America.
That means that about 80% of candidates can still get hired into top consulting firms even without an MBA.
It’s important to note that having an MBA isn’t defined as an entry requirement to top consulting firms. As you can see from the stats, it also isn't an ‘unspoken’ requirement either since most people become a consultant without an MBA.
This blog will give you advice on whether it’s really worth doing an MBA before joining consulting.
Is an MBA Necessary to Break Into Consulting in 2023?
The Benefits
Strong business foundations and industry exposure
Access to recruiting pipelines, especially at target schools
Chance to hone analytical and communication skills
Powerful alumni network
Alternatives
Hands-on experience builds more valuable skills than classrooms
Firms' intensive training programs equip new consultants
More affordable options such as self-paced study or part-time MBA alongside your consulting career
Soft skills are just as important as academics
The Bottom Line
If you came to this blog worried that you had to do an MBA to stand a chance of getting into consulting then you can leave reassured. Most people don’t do an MBA before coming to consulting and have extremely successful careers.
However, if you came looking for validation of your choice to do an MBA before breaking into consulting then you can be reassured that it will add value to your consulting career and may even give you a bit of an edge.
