<p>so, I am a senior in highschool right now, and I will be attending NYU in the fall.</p>
<p>I am really hoping to work in the consulting area after I graduate from college</p>
<p>and I started looking for internships in NYC.</p>
<p>Generally, how hard is it to get a nonpaid internship at medium to medium small firms?</p>
<p>I e-mailed the firms, but I have yet to get any answers..</p>
<p>I've only considered consulting on a few occasions because I landed a few interviews. I'm guessing it was my extra circular activities(started/own a few small businesses). But from what I have seen, the traditional route is....</p>
<ol>
<li>Winner of academic competitions in Business/Management areas</li>
<li>Extensive participant in case study competitions</li>
<li>Exceptional communication skills, recommend taking a few public speaking courses and written communications courses.</li>
<li>Keep your GPA high and keep trying.</li>
<li>Lots of business related courses, marketing, sales, advertising, etc etc.</li>
</ol>
<p>The consulting arena is affected by what's going on wallstreet too. Just think, if firms are having trouble getting money, are they likely to hire consultants to build and implement new systems? No....</p>
<p>But, of course, cutbacks aren't going to be as drastic.</p>
<p>This is actually a good time to get an internship if you're willing to do it for no pay as the small firms are laying off paid employees.</p>
<p>I did a nonpaid internship after HS graduation. The photocopier and I became bff. </p>
<p>The only thing I learned was how to use a Xerox WorkCentre Photocopier like a pro. </p>
<p>I ended up getting a 500 stipend at the end of the 3 month long internship...</p>
<p>thanks all for your inputs!</p>
<p>I only received two more emails since posting from small firms saying that they don't get summer interns, even if its non-paid.</p>
<p>argh</p>