From Cello to Consulting

Brigham Young University junior Grant Hill, who is pursuing a double major in music and economics, has secured a 2026 summer internship with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) despite initially believing his unconventional background would hinder his consulting prospects. Hill’s journey into consulting began unexpectedly when BYU’s Management Consulting Association reached out to the Filipino Club, where he served as secretary, sparking his interest in the field. Recognizing his lack of business experience, Hill dedicated 200-300 hours to intensive preparation using platforms like RocketBlocks and Leland bootcamps, and even hiring a personal coach. His efforts paid off when BCG became the first consulting firm to extend an offer after a streamlined application process in July and August.

Initially, Hill attempted to conform to traditional business stereotypes by using industry buzzwords, but he soon realized his music background was actually a unique advantage. As a cellist, he highlighted transferable skills including performing under pressure, collaborating in ensembles, obsessive attention to detail, and resilience in receiving and implementing critical feedback—all qualities that align perfectly with BCG’s strong feedback culture. His experience with BCG’s innovative recruitment process included interacting with an AI chatbot named Casey for half of the first-round interviews, which he found less valuable than human interaction due to the lack of conversational feedback.

Hill’s success story offers valuable insights for aspiring consultants from non-traditional backgrounds. He emphasizes that quality preparation trumps quantity, recommending investment in professional coaching and building genuine relationships with firm advocates. His experience demonstrates that differentiation often outweighs conventional excellence in competitive recruitment processes. By declaring an economics major late in his academic career primarily to prepare for the internship rather than to secure the offer, Hill reinforces that unique perspectives and transferable soft skills can be more impactful than standardized qualifications in landing coveted positions at top consulting firms.


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Forrás: https://www.businessinsider.com/advice-internship-bcg-consulting-2025-10.