From the Warwick MBA to Management Consulting: How the Journey Prepared Me

Before joining the MBA, I worked in real estate consulting at one of the world’s leading global advisory firms. It was a highly rewarding experience that shaped my analytical and client-facing skills. Over time, I became increasingly curious about solving broader business challenges across different industries—something that management consulting uniquely offers. That curiosity became a clear career goal, and the MBA was the right next step to make it happen.

So, when I joined Warwick Business School (WBS), I knew exactly what I was working towards. What I didn’t fully appreciate was just how well the Full-time MBA would help me get there.

Learning to think like a consultant

Some of the most powerful modules I took—Strategic Thinking, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Managing in the New World, and Mergers & Acquisitions—weren’t just about content; they were about changing how I think.

These classes pushed me to look at business problems through multiple lenses. Whether it was analysing a failing strategy, exploring new markets, or understanding the dynamics of a merger, each module built on the kind of thinking consultants use daily—structured, analytical, and commercially sharp.

We weren’t just learning frameworks—we were applying them to real scenarios, debating bold ideas, and constantly challenged to back up our thinking. The professors? Top-notch. They didn’t just teach theory—they brought real-world insights, tough questions, and plenty of stories from the field.

Additionally, external lectures from industry experts provided invaluable real-world insights, helping bridge the gap between classroom learning and actual business practice. These sessions helped bring theory to life and gave us a deeper understanding of the challenges consultants face.

Leading, listening, and navigating difficult conversations

One of the most underrated parts of the MBA for me was how much leadership and team dynamics were front and centre.

The LeadershipPlus and Organisational Behaviour modules gave me the tools to understand how I lead, and what that means when working in diverse teams. Through countless group projects, I found myself switching roles—sometimes leading, sometimes listening, often doing both.

I learned to:

• Adapt my style depending on the team and situation
• Have the tough, honest conversations (the kind that consultants can’t avoid)
• Give and receive constructive feedback without losing momentum or trust.

The diversity of the cohort played a huge role here. Working with people from different industries, backgrounds, and cultures helped me develop the emotional intelligence that consulting demands.

Building the consulting toolkit

The technical skills matter—but so does preparation. Warwick gave me both.

The CareersPlus team worked closely with me on everything from CV structure to refining my personal story for interviews. I also had access to an AI-powered platform that provided instant, personalised feedback on my CV—hugely helpful in tightening the narrative and aligning it with consulting expectations.

For case interview prep, the Case Study Club was a major resource. Practising live cases with peers helped build my structure, communication, and confidence. We also had access to CaseCoach, a fantastic platform with a wide range of cases and expert guidance to help fine-tune technique. It made a big difference in getting consistent, focused practice.

The alumni network was another powerful resource—open, responsive, and incredibly willing to share their own experiences, provide tips, and offer guidance during the recruitment process.

And importantly, the MBA helped me build strong networking skills—how to make meaningful connections, have impactful conversations, and turn brief interactions into long-term relationships. That played a big role in opening doors and building momentum.

A focus on sustainability

Sustainability became a core focus during my MBA journey. From the study trip to Nova Business School, where we explored sustainability initiatives in Portugal, to multiple group and individual assignments based on sustainability-related scenarios, the MBA gave me the chance to dive deep into this important area.

My dissertation with IBM was a qualitative analysis of the measurability of the impact of consortia in solving digital sustainability issues. This exploratory dissertation helped me understand the challenges of measuring sustainability impacts and the roles different stakeholders play in these efforts. The insights I gained from this research not only helped me in consulting interviews, but they’ve also been invaluable in my current role. I continue to be actively involved in sustainability-focused communities and regularly upskill myself in this area.

Final takeaway

Looking back, the MBA gave me the space, tools, and support to grow into the kind of professional I needed to be to take the next step and secure a Management Consultant position at a Big Four. Consulting is a demanding industry, and this journey helped me approach it with confidence, clarity, and a much broader perspective.

I’d like to give special thanks to my professors - John Colley, John Lyn, David Elmes, Graham Smith, Maja Korica, Jose Bento da Silva, and Hossam Zeitoun. I'd also like to acknowledge those who I worked with from the CareersPlus team —Nuo Xu, Kate Bronserud and Danilo Di Salvo.