Consulting Club at MIT (CCM)

The Consulting Club at MIT was established in early 2008 following the experiences of its founders in their attempt to transition from a graduate, academic career to the world of management consulting. We recognized that consulting firms have become increasingly interested in recruiting students with advanced, non-MBA degrees and that these students are showing a growing interest in management consulting.

CCM is a student organization with an active member base of 700+ graduatestudents and postdoctoral researchers. CCM organizes various events such as case practice sessions and business discussions to facilitate a seamless transition from graduate school to a career in management consulting. Everysummer CCM offers the possibility for its members to apply for VCG, a short intensive training (mini-MBA) in strategy consulting that culminates into a 6-week project at a fast-growing company. The company in turn benefits from a thoroughly supervised team-work of dedicated MIT students.

The CCM focuses on fostering relationships among students interested in consulting and on offering them training. We further attempt to link between students and consulting firms. Lastly, we also recognize the importance of connecting students with alumni and alumnae who have gone into the world of consulting.

The CCM is managed by its Executive Council, a core group of dedicated graduate students, who are charged with organizing events and pulling together resources for the benefit of their peers.

Consulting firms help companies strategize, find solutions to organizational problems, and become more competitive in the marketplace. As a graduate student thinking about making the leap to management consulting, you should consider several aspects of the transition: first, whether you will enjoy working in consulting and the lifestyle of a consultant; second, how this transition fits in with your broader career goals and ambitions; and lastly, what type of effort will be required of you to make the transition and what is your likelihood of success.

Making the transition into consulting is not always easy. Consulting firms do look for grad students, as we perform very well within their ranks. But top firms can also afford to be choosey about who they take on, which is why it's important to be well prepared for the application process. Preparation should include general business and consulting-specific skills. Read further on our wiki how to take the first steps on your way to the world of consulting.

CCM aims to provide opportunities for students to learn about careers in consulting. The consulting club organizes case study workshops, resume workshops, practice case study interviews, case competitions, and networking opportunities.

Many events are co-organized with top consulting firms. These events also provide an opportunity for both firms and students to interact with each other. We also help consulting firms organize special events and seminars to help recruit students from the MIT campus.

The Volunteer Consulting Group is a 6-week project that takes place in June-July and where a group of 5 to 8 MIT/Harvard students applies business knowledge and analytical skills to a business case challenging a company in the Boston region. Our teams utilize MIT’s extensive resources and mentorship from top consulting firms, notably McKinsey and BCG, to conduct research and deliver business-oriented solutions. Each group is coordinated by a CCM engagement manager who plays the role of intermediary between the company and the team of consultants.

Organizations commit to providing a real business problem and sharing information relevant to the case with CCM. All information provided to CCM remains confidential. Company representative(s) can discuss the progress of the engagement during weekly meetings with the team. VCG managers will work with the organization to define a viable case that will provide value to both the organization and CCM members.

Over the past several years, we have had a very successful track record of engaging companies with talented students and helping to provide business-oriented solutions. Below we provide a snapshot of past projects that resulted in key impact for our client's growth and overall business.