Booz Allen Hamilton: An insider guide - Gymkhana

ConsultantsOn the JobIn 2004, Booz Allen will be recruiting MBAs and others with advanced degreesinto its commercial business almost exclusively. Undergraduates from leadingcolleges and universities are more likely to find opportunities on the governmentside of the firm. Undergraduates enter the firm with the title of consultant.According to one recruiter, “The profile of the type of undergraduate we recruitfor WTB varies. We look for technical people, especially those with electricalengineering and computer science degrees. We also look for people with businessbackgrounds who can do analysis.” Though not common, there are alwaysexceptions, as one WTB insider explains, “We tend to look for engineers, computerscientists—people who have information systems and telecommunicationsbackgrounds. But I have somebody on my team who has a bachelor’s and amaster’s in philosophy, because the person is very logical.”The move away from hiring consultants into the commercial side of the firmreflects corporate clients’ preference for having more senior people on projects.However, the general lack of consultants on projects has not gone unnoticedby associates (MBAs and other advanced-degree holders). “It’s a reflection ofthe market, but it’s unfortunate because it piles more work onto associates,”says one. That said, a few consultants are still doing work within WCB, and thework they do is similar to that of associates, including the following:• Conduct industry research• Develop analytical approaches to solving business problems• Run computer models• Interview clients30