The email below came from a first-year MBA student who is interested in pursuing a summer internship with a Big Three consulting firm (McKinsey, Bain, or BCG) as the start to a career in emerging market consulting. In his email, the student stated that a potential issue for him is his low undergrad grades, which he plans to address either verbally or with a cover letter.

This was a tough email to address because I actually noticed a different big issue than the one that he described in his email. It took me a while to figure out how to handle this one, but, ultimately, I had to go with my gut on it and say what I really thought of the situation.

I’ll state upfront that some of you may not agree with the perspective that I share in this video. This is one instance where I stand behind the fact that this is my site and that I’m only offering my own opinion. I will let the video below speak for itself, but I will say that I was being completely honest in describing my read on this member’s question.

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TL wrote:

Hello Marquis,

I am a first year MBA student at Howard University with a concentration in Management. I am interested in ‘emerging market’ consulting,specifically, Africa. I am from Nigeria and I actually grew up there before coming to the US in 1997. My plan is to prepare now for an internship with one of the Big 3 next summer. I am going over cases and reading McKinsey’s latest report on Africa.

One issue I may have is low undergrad scores. I plan on addressing verbally or on cover letter by explaining that that was 10yrs ago and I am now a more focused individual.

Any other suggestions/tips would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

TL

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My video response:

MBA student targeting Big 3 with challenges from Marquis Parker on Vimeo.

Key points:
- I believe that it will be tough for TL to get into a Big Three consulting firm; Key issues include:
–> Not attending a B-school that core recruiting campus
–> Low undergraduate grades
–> Fierce competition from highly-qualified applicants

- Key questions:
–> Does TL really need to work at a Big Three firm to get into emerging market consulting? In my opinion, NO
–> Are there other avenues for TL to reach his career goal? YES, including working in industry, large Non-Big-Three consulting firms, boutique consulting firms, and international or economic development work

- Potential approach to getting the right summer internship
–> Start networking like crazy NOW
–> Consider other consulting firms and industry options
–> Start practicing consulting case interviews immediately