Consulting interns usually do real project work rather than simply shadowing. Depending on the team, that can include research, Excel analysis, slide drafting, interview notes, market sizing, data cleanup and preparation for internal or client meetings.

The tasks may look small individually, but they feed directly into the team's deliverables. An intern who produces reliable analysis and clean slides can become useful very quickly.

You may also receive more guidance than a full-time analyst because the firm is evaluating potential rather than expecting complete independence. Asking focused questions and applying feedback quickly matters a lot.

Do not judge the internship by whether every task feels glamorous. The best signal is whether you are learning how consultants structure work, communicate findings and operate under real project deadlines. For more detail, see the management consulting guide.

Are interns usually building slides from analysis they did, or editing decks that the team already has?

How early do interns get trusted with a deliverable that goes straight to the client?

Even a small piece of analysis sounds more interesting than sitting in meetings all summer.

The quick feedback cycle sounds like a big adjustment from class assignments.

Do interns usually get one clear workstream, or more small pieces across the case?