Hi,I am currently an undergraduate and was wondering if people would make a few points on some hypotheticals I am working on.As a career I want something intellectually challenging and well rewarded such as consultancy. Although my degree is in Electronic Engineering I really do not want to end up with a technical career. Ideally I would take a post with MBBB but obviously this is not that easy. I will apply and I think I stand at least a bit of a chance but who knows? I know alot people extoll the virtues of getting some experience before moving in to consultancy. Can anyone suggest the kind of career which would prepare for a top MBA and a post in tier 1 strategy after a few years.I am interested in the Aldi graduate scheme mainly because of the seemingly high responsibility, opportunities open to graduates and yes before people say it the salary is extremely attractive. Would this along with fairly good academics (A Level AAB, 2.i at a good uni) leave me with the kind of profile that would a) be attractive to recruiters post mba b)be attractive with regard to admission on MBA?Thanks

anyone?

anyone?

I hate to laugh but mu-ha-ha-ha-haaa!You have lightened the load of my dreary day.1. Stay away from Aldi, if you pay many peanuts you still get monkeys - you will actually be filling shelves for a living. Seriously.2. Strategy is extremely hard to get into. You need the right education, the right blood group and a connection to the pope to stand a chance. Well maybe not, but it is that hard because the numbers applying are so high.3. Widen the net, look at Consulting as a career but look across the broad spectrum of roles on offer, choose a few you would be happy with and apply apply apply apply and apply again.4. If that doesn't work join the monkeys!

I'm sure you are a decent person anon, but bringing up the Aldi graduate scheme and MBBB firms in the same post doesn't do anything positive mate.Trying as much as I can not to bring any disrespect, but there is no other reason for joining Aldi other than the money and benefits. The work will be a bore and your career prospects will be severely limited. To many, the reason for joining Aldi is obvious and it will undoubtedly be seen as a negative thing as it shows complete disregard of career progression.Have a good read around these forums. Work hard and hopefully you'll break through into a decent MC firm and gain the necessary experience to advance your career.

Ok, yeah, I accept these comments. I equated money with responsibility and hence career progression (obviously I was wrong). Thanks for the advice and warning.

Are you not applying to the likes of Accenture, Deloitte, EY BAS, PA and Cap like the rest of the herd? A more realistic option than MBBB and good development and experience potential. I'm still not sure if you were being serious with Aldi comment. McDonalds recruit grads. They do a management training scheme. It would probably be viewed in the same vein as Aldi. Nobody wants McJob - well not in this forum anyway.

Ok, look I was serious. It is not because I underestimated MBBB but it is obvious that I overestimated the value of the scheme.My thinking was that it might be beneficial to get some experience behind me before going into consulting. People always talk about how experience in FMCG, FS, or telecoms followed by top MBA is a great way to get into consulting. I am confused as to how I will be seen as any different to the 1000's of other grads in these sectors, how will I get on a top MBA? Naturally I started looking for top graduate jobs within these sectors and as I understood it Aldi was very much a meritocracy. I thought if I got my head down and did well then I would be in pole position in the company and when looking to study a top MBA. However it has been made clear to me that the scheme does not have the reputation to make it suitable for my purposes. I thank those that made that clear to me, as this was the information I was looking for.Now obviously I will apply to the strategy side of the big 4, their competitors and MBBB but I am still looking for an insight into a slightly different career route. (I assure you it is not because I do not think I will get a job with the above but merely to broaden my options) So, guys you have shot down my original suggestion (with good reason I presume), now what I am asking you to do is suggest alternative industry schemes that would impress you upon reading them on a CV.

I guess this is a consultancy forum so you can expect roles outside consultancy to be treated with disdain. Aldi will draw more on your people skills than intellectual skills. However in the real business world the people skills are often more important.Most consultants could not run a sweet shop......and in my experience there are more senior executives with operational background than consultancy background.

From what I hear anyway, they will work you like a dog in that particular grad role. As a pseudo area manager, most of the time will be spent in your Audi (probably left over by some who left the grad scheme) and treating with complaints and the like.Sure, some aspects may not be that different from Consultancy (hours, travel) but there isn't much for career progression and exposure to new challenges.But if that doesn't bother you, go ahead with it ;)

To the previous posters:Thanks for your input on the Aldi scheme, I have accepted all of the comments with good grace. Now get over the Aldi scheme, what I am asking about is other schemes. You were very opinionated when all that was necessary was to slag something off, so now what I am asking you do do was use the knowledge that allowed you to slate something to suggest alternatives.Go on challenge yourself! Dare I say it 'Be a Tiger!'

P.S. 'Another View' , thanks for your input.

I actually interviewed for the same graduate scheme many years ago. I never forget the eerie sight of hundreds of Audi A4's with sequential number plates in the car park. The theory is that if you only have one type of potato you can order several times as many of them as your competitors, knock the price down and hence make higher margins. Also, you will be put in charge of a store or several stores and told how many man hours you have available to you. This figure will be some way below what you actually need and guess who will make up the difference.I too had very good A levels, a 2:1 from a good level university but got dragged into retail when I first graduated. I managed to get out a while later and effectively had to start again. I am now in my early '30s and work as a head-hunter. I am hopeful that I might get a proper job by the time I hit my '40s.....Join either a 2nd tier consulting firm before doing your MBA or go to a bank/telecoms firm, reputable IT company. Trade of your skills, if I were you, but let the MBA take you a more strategic route.