How My Music Major Led to an Internship at BCG

Starting college as a music major at Brigham Young University, I never envisioned a path into consulting. With a focus on cello performance, I assumed the consulting field was reserved for those pursuing economics or finance.

My perspective shifted when a message arrived from BYU's Management Consulting Association. As the Filipino Club's secretary, I was approached about a cultural exchange initiative. Conversations with club associates sparked my curiosity in consulting.

Deciding to seek an internship meant bridging a significant knowledge gap. Without a business foundation, I dedicated substantial time—between March and June of my sophomore year—to intense preparation. Using resources like RocketBlocks for interviews, attending bootcamps at Leland, and hiring a mentor, I devoted over 200 hours to my preparation.

Reaching the age of 22, I began the interview process. BCG started accepting applications, and by submitting my application in July, I secured an interview and received an offer by early August.

Initially, I worried my music background might be a setback. Attempting to sound more corporate, I used jargon I barely understood in hopes of fitting the consulting mold.

However, I came to appreciate that this wasn't the ideal strategy.

As a cellist, I regularly perform under stress, becoming familiar with recovering from public errors. Collaboration is another strength; daily ensemble performances necessitate adapting to various contributors. Precision in details, like intonation, is a daily pursuit. Music students routinely receive and apply constructive criticism, fostering resilience and adaptability.

Recognizing the Unique Value of a Music Background

BCG values a strong feedback culture, which I highlighted as beneficial during my interviews. My musical experiences instilled a capacity for resilience, discipline, and creative problem-solving under duress.

Navigating New Challenges

One surprising element in BCG's process was the AI chatbot, Casey, responsible for the first round alongside a human interviewer. Engaging with Casey involved handling large datasets but lacked interactive dialogue.

For future candidates, I advocate for finding a coach. Quality mentoring transformed my approach. It's more important to practice effectively rather than repeatedly.

Building internal advocates is equally crucial. Though I interacted with only a small group of five BYU alumni, cultivating these relationships led them to support me through the recruitment process.

Although I eventually added an economics major to broaden my understanding of business matters, that wasn't what secured the internship offer.

Success can often be perceived as excelling at what everyone else is pursuing. Yet, I believe my distinct background, rather than being the top candidate, was my defining advantage.