Best Consulting Firms for Business School Grads

Find out which consulting firms top this year’s list of the best places to work.

Which are the best consulting companies to work for? Should you go to business school if you want to be an entrepreneur? What traits do recruiters look for in MBAs? Which top business school just constructed a $75M dormitory? Catch all the trending stories for future business leaders.

The best consulting firms

Business school graduates continue to flock to consulting firms which, with their high starting salaries, prestige, and challenging projects, have long been an MBA favorite among industries. Career information site Vault.com recently ventured to rank these consulting firms to see which is the best to work for. The ones they’ve listed at the top won’t surprise you—but will instead confirm that MBAs are flocking to these companies for good reason. Bain & Company and the Boston Consulting Group were ranked first and second respectively, climbing just a notch over last year’s ranking. McKinsey & Company fell from first to third place, although it’s tight between the three major consulting firms. “It’s the people that are the differentiating factor. There are huge learning opportunities due to the collaborative nature of the firm,” said Veronica Collins, a Wharton MBA and former case team leader at Bain. The survey included responses from 17,000 consultants. (Business Because)

Do entrepreneurs need an MBA?

Apart from those looking at consulting firms, many would-be business school students have aspirations of becoming entrepreneurs to create the next big thing to change the world (and make a profit in the process). There’s actually been a bit of a debate about whether an MBA is even necessary if this is the career path you are set on. Whereas an MBA is essential for a job at, say, a consulting firm, it’s possible to succeed as an entrepreneur without such qualifications. Here are a couple of things to consider if you are an aspiring entrepreneur who’s not yet sold on business school: 1) Business schools have fantastic incubator programs for people like you, and your business school can help connect you with a mentor to inspire and guide you. 2) Business schools will teach you not only how to launch a new venture, but how to make it grow. Business school can teach you all about risk taking—when it makes sense to take the plunge, or when it makes sense to wait. (U.S. News & World Report)  

Marketable traits for business school grads

Keeping on the theme of post-graduation careers: What personal and professional traits do companies look for when deciding on which MBAs to hire? Well, according to the Graduate Management Admission Council, it all depends on the field. For example, the top trait consulting firms look for are whether the candidate is a good fit with the company’s culture. They also look to see if the candidate is “adaptable” and wants to “make an impact.” In the energy and utilities industry, recruiters look for “leadership potential” and “business ethics.” In the nonprofit and government sector, recruiters put “make an impact” at the top of the list. “Consulting has been around for decades and is known for branding, so if you don’t fit the ‘brand,’ it’s not going to work—they already have their way of solving problems, dealing with customers, etc.” says Carolyn Davis, associate professor of management in the Department of Business Administration at Morehouse College. (GoodCall)

Luxury MBA dorm

These are nice digs… if you can get in. The Stanford Graduate School of Business is about to open Highland Hall, a luxury dormitory for its new students. Yes, MBA students live in dorms. And forget about the cramped dorm rooms resembling a prison cell that you might have lived in during college. Instead, think posh resort, complete with artwork and housekeeping services. The 145,000 square foot dorm cost a hefty $75M, which was actually under budget. “Alumni come here and immediately say, ‘Oh, can I come back to school? This is really great,’” said Bernadette DeRafael, director of facilities and hospitality at Stanford GSB. The new dorm makes it possible for all first year students to live on campus, the first time in the school’s history. This kind of dorm can serve as a powerful recruitment tool for new students. Tell us: Would housing facilities significantly factor into your decision of where to attend? (Poets & Quants)

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