Why McKinsey?
McKinsey was one of the first consulting firms to recognize the contributions of those without traditional business training, and actively recruit candidates with advanced professional degrees (APD). Today, nearly half our consultants have a doctorate, law, medical, or non-business master’s degree.
Who do we look for?
Working toward your advanced degree means you already have many of the skills you need to succeed here: problem-solving, intellectual curiosity, industry knowledge and technical expertise.
Some people with advanced professional degrees leverage their training in related fields; for example, many doctors now work at McKinsey on healthcare reform, in our Pharmaceutical & Medical Products Practice or in our Healthcare Solutions Practice. Others use McKinsey to explore new areas and grow both personally and professionally.
What roles are available?
APD candidates typically join us as associates or junior associate consultants (positions vary based on office and experience), or in more specialized positions in analytics, digital, or other technology sectors. Our roles include generalist consulting, practice consulting - focused on a specific function or industry (e.g., digital, implementation, operations), and technology roles such as data scientists, software engineers, product managers, data engineers, designers, agile coaches, or digital marketers.
If you are pursuing a master’s degree and have earned an undergraduate degree fewer than four years ago, you will join as a business analyst if you pursue a consulting role. If you hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least four years of work experience, or completed or expect to complete your master's degree within four years of receiving your bachelor's degree, you will join as an associate. For specialized roles, your tenure will vary by position.
APD candidates may also consider applying for an associate or business analyst internship position depending on their degree or work experience, usually for the summer prior to the penultimate year of their degree. Medical students, interns, and residents may apply up to two years in advance of completing their degree.
Most APDs apply for full-time positions during the summer or fall prior to the penultimate year of their degree to take part in interviews in the late summer or early fall. Timing may vary by region. We recommend checking your campus calendar for specific dates and deadlines. Hiring for specialized roles may happen through either campus interviews or a separate process, so please check with your recruiter for more details.
How will you grow?
Our commitment to development and support will help you confidently transition to the business world. In fact, we’ve created a program called Business Essentials - a distinctive and immersive learning experience that equips all new client-facing colleagues with the foundational business capabilities they need to confidently and competently participate in team and client discussions from day one.
It is individualized to your background and experience, and will introduce you to a set of curated core business principles and their application within the McKinsey context and frameworks through a blend of on-line modules, virtual classroom sessions and an in-person capstone event.
What comes next?
There is not one path at McKinsey but many and your career path at McKinsey depends on your interests and goals. You may decide to specialize to build on the expertise you developed in graduate school or in your past career, or you may apply your skills in new areas and broaden your exposure. Whatever path you create for yourself, you'll continually be challenged to grow.
Many people grow their entire career at McKinsey and some stay for a while and move on. McKinsey alumni have gone on to create companies, start not-for-profits, run large businesses, and pursue their passions in the arts, among many other endeavors. The common thread is that they have McKinsey as their springboard and as their constant network.
Have more questions?
Want to know more about making the transition to a consulting career? Wondering how to prepare your application as an advanced professional degree candidate or what to expect in your interview process? Read more here. See our calendar of events.