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Would getting an internship at one consulting firm decrease my odds of getting a job at another one

I am not sure which consulting company I want to work for between the caliaber of EY, Deloitte, ect. I also know that one of the reasons that the consultants like to hire young people is that they do not have much experience to bais their problem solving and therefore I was wondering if the experience at a different company would be seen as a negative. #business #internship

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Jacob’s Answer

Hi Kyle,


That's a great question! As an associate at PwC, I am familiar with the process of applying for internships and jobs at the Big Four.


For a start, don't worry too much about which firm you want to work for. I know that sounds counter-intuitive but you will be surprised at how similar all the firms are. Focus on where you want to work (they are all over the country) and what industry interests you (banking, media etc.). These factors will have the biggest impact on your experience, so pick the firm that is best at providing you what you want.


Specifically regarding your question, at the Big Four firms, all experience is seen as a good thing! Switching firms, or working for a different firm than the one you interned at will not be seen as a bad thing at all...as long as it is for an appropriate reason. Leaving because you were terrible to work with, got fired during your internship, or weren't even offered at job at the end will be seen as a major red flag. However, switching firms because you wanted to live in a different city, or different industry will not be seen as a problem at all. That's why I say to focus on those two factors first.


Yes, each firm has a slightly different way of doing things, but this is easy to learn and firms won't be concerned. I have worked with many people who started at different firms and have ended up at PwC. These people are valued BECAUSE they were somewhere else and thus are seen to have unique experience.


I hope this helps!

Jacob recommends the following next steps:

Decided what city and industry you want to work in.
During your recruitment, ask each firm specifically what they have to offer in your preferred city and industry. (Who are their clients, are they growing, how is their business changing etc?)
Where ever you decide to intern, don't worry about getting it wrong. You will always have a chance to switch later and your experience at a different firm will only help you!
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Brittany’s Answer

Hi Kyle,

I am going to echo Jacob's answer here -- all Big Four experience is great experience! Each firm has slightly different methodology and tools to complete very similar work. Learning to work with a project team and lead a client through transformation can translate to any of the Big Four firms and beyond. Participating in events with different Big Four firms can also help you evaluate which one may be the best fit for you. When I was in school, I accepted an internship with PwC but participated in a case study competition with Deloitte the semester prior to starting the internship. It helped me gauge some of the subtle differences to determine where I felt that I fit in the best.

Typically at the end of a Big Four internship there is a full-time offer (if you play your cards right). So, in a way, think of your internship interview process as your full-time interview process. If you get the offer at the end of the internship, there often is not a lot of time to continue "shopping around" at other firms. So it is important over the course of the internship to really evaluate whether you envision yourself there long-term or not. If you do see it as a good fit for you, then don't waste your own time & energy or that of a recruiter by entertaining other options too much. (Don't burn any bridges either in case you do not get a full-time offer). If you do not see it as good fit for you, then continue to cultivate your network but maintain your integrity to give 100% at the internship until you finish it out. You never know when you may encounter those people again or who-knows-who across firms. Your integrity is linked to your personal brand!

Hope that helps!
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Sher’s Answer

No it should not; what will matter is what you do at that internship! If you end up making an impact or learn some valuable skills, you will have plenty of opportunities to go to a different firm if you feel as though you don't fit where you interned. I interned at a different firm before joining the one I am at now, and I believe that my internship experience definitely played a role in getting to where I am now.
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David’s Answer

For sure not - having experience in consulting at a different firm would be a positive, not a negative for your application. In practice, you're most likely to get an offer from the firm that you were an intern with (as other commentors have noted, the internship is often treated essentially as part of the interview process for full time roles, so if you do well in the internship you have a good chance at getting a full time offer from that firm). That said, none of the big 4 would look at experience at another firm as a negative

Best of luck!
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David’s Answer

Any consulting experience, especially with a Big 4 company, will only help you when applying for other consulting jobs. The companies are separate from the people who work at them. You will find lots of people that change jobs to a competing company in the course of their careers.
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Simeon’s Answer

I am a Risk Assurance Associate at PwC and can tell you that there are many employees who switch between the big four accounting firms. I wouldn't believe the whole bit about bias being the reason that the big four hire young workers. Young professionals tend to be very ambitious and, therefore, very hard working. Working at the big four also comes with opportunities to enter industry companies, so young workers are even more eager to get in and boost their resume at one of the big four.
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Mitch’s Answer

Absolutely not! An internship makes you more well-rounded and builds your network, which is paramount in the world of consulting. Procuring an internship is already an amazing accomplishment, and doing it for a top tier Consulting firm makes you stand out amongst other candidates.

As a current manager at Deloitte, I can only speak to my experience as a Deloitte hire. However, consulting is a respected industry that covers numerous sectors and breadths of experience. I would recommend focusing on understanding and honing core consulting skills, knowing what your strengths are (read: things that give you energy), and figuring out your purpose and how it can be applied to or enhance your future career.

Best of luck with securing an internship and beyond!
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