Not much work experience, should I talk about entering consulting?

Question

Hi everyone,

I don't have much work experience, just a few years of lab work. 5 publications in medical journals.

Should I talk about how I want to do healthcare consulting?

I am 27 now, and I had a physical illness that required treatment for many years (cancer, in remission now). So I don't want to waste any more time to be honest, and want to apply this cycle.

Is it true that post-MBA consulting does not require much work experience? If so, would it be better to seek that as my post-MBA goal in my essay?

I ultimately want to work in oncology drug R&D, as that is the field I am most passionate about. But without work experience, would healthcare consulting be more realistic post-MBA, and then go into pharma?

Thank you all so much!

Apphelp · Answer

Hi kingturtle,

There are a lot of career opportunities post-MBA for students from a healthcare background. Healthcare consulting is just one of them. A lot of pharma also hires directly from B-schools and a working knowledge of the healthcare sector definitely helps.

Clarity of career goals and the ability to demonstrate that you have the strengths to achieve the career goals form the backbone of your application. You should be able to bring out examples which answer the question why consulting and how do you reach your long-term goal. We recommend you talk to friends, family and alumni who are with a similar background to figure out your strengths that will help you reach your goal. You should ideally pick up a career path that links your background, short-term goals and your long-term goal of Onco R&D.

We'd like to know a little more about you to help you define career goals in your essays. Feel free to reach out to us.

StratusDonna · Answer

99Colleges · Answer

Hi kingturtle,

Healthcare consulting to pharma is a circuitous route when pharma companies too recruit MBAs. Uncommon paths require articulation.

souvik101990 · Answer

I agree with  99Colleges . If you have pharma companies (big and small) recruiting from campus why do you feel the need to go the route of HC consulting? Look at Wharton and UNC, as from what I know they seem to have great healthcare programs. Meanwhile try to answer GSB's former essay B. Why do you REALLY want to get an MBA?

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Communicate what you actually want to do, its always best to be authentic when crafting your career goals. If you have questions about the viability of stating an interest in HC Consulting they will to. Just state what you want to do and make sure it is a path that is somewhat common for MBAs to pursue. Do your research and see if you can identify other MBA who have done something similar. This could also be an opportunity for you to standout in fact from the droves of others applying to b-school

Not much work experience, should I talk about entering consulting?

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