<p>I attend a state school that is in the top 30 USNews, so I wont have top connections to get into goldman sacs level companies. I have some idea what I want to do-consulting or law. here are some factors</p>
<ol>
<li>i love group work</li>
<li>social interation is a strong point, same as group i geuss</li>
<li>love meeting new people</li>
<li>not great math skills, algebra/calc was never a strong point</li>
</ol>
<p>Are jobs like consultant available to people like me? I am majoring in political science at a non elite university...... Or must one HAVE to have gone to HPYSM to get a top consulting job?</p>
<p>If so, should i go to an elite grad/law school to gain prestigious credentials/make connections? Would jobs like consulting be open then?</p>
<p>Group work, social interaction and meeting new people are all major elements of the very broad consulting industry.</p>
<p>As is the case in most industries, where you go to school only limits you based on who recruits there. The reality is that top level consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) only really recruit at top undergraduate schools since they can easily fill their open entry-level slots with students from eight or nine schools. That said, if a company recruits at your school, only your GPA and prior experience matter; school name doesn’t.</p>
<p>If you are at a top 30 school, you will get looks by many top regional and boutique consulting firms, but I’d doubt that the top national/international consulting firms would recruit below the top 15ish. Regional and boutique consulting jobs are fun, though, so don’t think that you are missing out on a TON by not getting an absolute top job.</p>
<p>Not true - I visited Goldman Sachs - chicago branch in January and they definitely hire students from non-top 15 universities. The people who led my student group around were Michigan State grads, and 2 of the younger entry level-workers who spoke with us graduated from Indiana U. They did say they recruit primarily from top universities, but if you have the qualities they are looking for, you can absolutely get considered by most firms. </p>
<p>Political science by itself isn’t really going to get you into prestigious wealth management/investment banking firms like goldman sachs though. You need to major in finance, supply chain management or economics (consider a double major?). Truth is most consulting places want heavy quant -expertise as well. But you might still be able to get your foot into the door. Take a look at a firm like Capgemini. They are a super young, chic global consulting firm and they hire all majors (they also recruit at big state schools). If you go to a big state school there almost certainly are consulting firms that hire/recruit at your school directly - talk to these recruiters about what they are looking for even if they aren’t directly hiring from your major. Check out your school career website or speak to your school career center. Law school will definitely open some doors in terms of getting into this field, but is a pretty hefty investment with not enough guarantees. </p>
<p>Finally - get yourself involved. If you don’t have a “real job” either get one asap or become super involved in your school’s student investment association (they might even have a student consulting org or two at your school). School/academics can only get you so far in the consulting/law fields.</p>