Pre-MBA Employment: Manager, Honda Motor Company, London/Japan
Post-MBA Employment: Associate, McKinsey & Company, London

I studied automotive engineering at university, then joined Honda Motor Company and spent a three-year assignment in Japan before returning to the UK. My final position prior to starting my MBA was as Manager of the UK Purchasing Project Management Group, where I managed three teams of project managers in charge of new model introduction and mass production. Following graduation, I will be starting as an Associate at McKinsey & Company in London.

The recruitment process at McKinsey was pretty gruelling with five interviews and a test. The School’s sector consultants not only provided excellent advice about getting an interview and surviving them but also gave me a feel for what a consultant actually does on a day to day basis. The Careers Service was also important in increasing my knowledge of the consulting sector through frequent informal discussions and the many employer presentations held at the School.

If you’re considering a move into consulting, think about it thoroughly and ensure that prior to starting the course you have fully investigated the industry. You need to sound credible when talking to recruiters; they can quickly spot someone who has not done their homework. Think carefully about what you can offer them. If you have many years in one particular industry, consider leveraging that and speaking to a member of the consultancy who deals with that function. It provides a nice “in”.