Curiosity, leadership and the ability to collaborate are just a few of the skills Boston Consulting Group (BCG) looks for when they hire consultants. In terms of intellectual chops, BCG states that “superior academic credentials are a necessary—but not sufficient—requirement.” Due to the variety and scope of their projects, BCG seeks both generalists and subject matter experts in its MBA hires. The resulting mix of talent creates a caliber of colleagues that for Vinnie Sood, Wharton MBA ’16 and project leader at BCG, is a highlight of working at the elite firm. In this edition of Real Humans: Alumni, Sood offers his perspective on how the Wharton MBA prepared him for consulting and what stands out in the culture at BCG. Read on for his story.
Vinnie Sood, Wharton ’16, Project Leader at BCG
Age: 30
Hometown: New York, NY
Undergraduate Institution and Major: NYU – Mathematics & Economics
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Wharton, 2016 – Real Estate & Finance
Pre-MBA Work Experience: 4 years, Corporate Retail
Post-MBA Work Experience: 3.5 years, Management Consulting
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I wanted to transition into consulting and continue my business education.
Why Wharton? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
Wharton was a leading institution across my key areas of interest (retailing, finance, real estate) with a robust and engaged alumni community. Academic programs (coursework & professors), culture (classmates, extracurricular activities) and proximity to NYC were priority factors.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career?
Coursework, discussions with classmates and relevant extracurricular activities that provided an opportunity to consult for local non-profits.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned at BCG, providing me an opportunity to experience what the role and career would be full-time.
Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
BCG has a great culture and focus on development, providing an opportunity to grow within an organization that is committed to your success. I wanted to work at a firm that was committed to delivering value for its clients as well as its own employees. The culture and people are what I love most about BCG!
Advice to current MBA students:
–One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
Network often, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! It’s as much of an interview process for you (what firm is the best fit?) as it is for the companies. Companies are looking for students that want to work for them and can clearly articulate why.
–One thing you would change or do differently?
Take advantage of opportunities to visit the offices of companies. Some of my best conversations were with employees in the office of the organization I was recruiting with—gave me the chance to really see how they operated.
–Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
How flexible BCG was, and how much we want to accommodate recruits. I recall mentioning in passing my inability to attend an event to a recruiting—to which she immediately signed me up for an alternative session that worked better with my calendar.
–What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
Have fun! You get a chance to meet so many interesting people and learn about their career paths and what drives them—take the time to get to know what makes them tick.
What’s the best thing about working for your current employer?
The people I work with, across both BCG and my clients.
