Why an Arts Background Gives You an Advantage at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain

Management consulting is often perceived as a field dominated by business, economics, and STEM graduates. However, McKinsey, BCG, and Bain (MBB) increasingly recognize the value of diverse educational backgrounds, including those from the arts and humanities.

Top consulting firms seek professionals who bring unique perspectives, creative problem-solving skills, and exceptional communication abilities, qualities that are often deeply ingrained in individuals with an arts background. Whether it’s a literature major with sharp analytical skills or a history graduate adept at synthesizing complex narratives, arts graduates contribute in ways that complement traditional consulting approaches.

Breaking the Myth: Do Arts Graduates Get Hired at MBB?

Contrary to popular belief, McKinsey, BCG, and Bain actively recruit candidates with arts degrees. According to McKinsey’s website, the firm welcomes applicants from a wide range of academic disciplines, emphasizing that problem-solving abilities, leadership, and strong communication skills are the most crucial factors for success in consulting.

For example, Dominic Barton, former Global Managing Partner at McKinsey, studied economics and history before rising through the firm’s leadership ranks. Similarly, several case interview coaches have highlighted success stories of philosophy and political science graduates securing offers at top consulting firms.

Consulting Firms Value More Than Just Business Knowledge

While a business or finance degree can provide a strong foundation, consulting firms prioritize transferable skills over specific academic backgrounds. The nature of consulting work, analyzing ambiguous problems, structuring solutions, and communicating findings, aligns well with the training arts graduates receive in critical thinking, storytelling, and adaptability.

In fact, BCG’s recruiting team explicitly states that they value candidates with “diverse perspectives and experiences” because they help drive innovative solutions for clients across industries. Similarly, Bain emphasizes qualities like curiosity, problem-solving, and leadership over any specific degree.

Why Now? The Increasing Demand for Diverse Thinkers

The demand for consultants with creative and analytical skills has grown due to several industry shifts:

• The Rise of Digital Transformation: Consulting firms now work on projects involving user experience (UX), branding, and behavioral economics, areas where arts graduates bring fresh insights.
• More Emphasis on Storytelling in Business Strategy: Crafting compelling narratives to communicate complex ideas to stakeholders is a skill that arts majors, particularly those from literature, history, and communications backgrounds, excel in.
• Greater Focus on Soft Skills and Leadership: Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and teamwork, hallmarks of an arts education, are now considered as important as technical expertise in consulting.

Key Advantages of an Arts Background at McKinsey, BCG, and Bain

Top consulting firms like McKinsey, BCG, and Bain (MBB) seek professionals who can think critically, solve complex problems, and communicate effectively. While business and STEM graduates bring technical expertise, candidates with an arts background offer unique advantages that complement and enhance consulting teams. Here’s why an arts degree can be a powerful asset in management consulting.

Enhanced Communication Skills

Effective communication is one of the most critical skills in consulting. Arts graduates, particularly those from disciplines like literature, history, philosophy, and communications, develop exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.

1. Strong Presentation and Storytelling Skills

Arts graduates excel in structuring narratives, a skill crucial in consulting when presenting recommendations to clients. Whether crafting persuasive arguments in an essay or delivering presentations, storytelling plays a key role in influencing stakeholders.

2. Clarity in Complex Problem-Solving

Consultants must distill vast amounts of information into concise, actionable insights. Arts graduates, trained in writing analytical essays and debating complex ideas, have an edge in structuring their thoughts clearly and persuasively.

3. Adaptability Across Audiences

From boardroom executives to frontline managers, consultants must tailor their messaging for different stakeholders. Arts graduates’ experience in analyzing texts, understanding historical contexts, and engaging in discussions prepares them to communicate effectively across diverse audiences.

Example:
 A history major at BCG leveraged their storytelling skills to create compelling pitch presentations for a Fortune 500 client. Their ability to frame business data into an engaging narrative helped secure the client's buy-in for a major strategy shift.

Creative Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

One of the most sought-after skills in consulting is the ability to think critically and solve ambiguous problems, precisely what an arts education fosters.

1. Thinking Beyond the Obvious

Arts graduates are trained to challenge assumptions, explore alternative perspectives, and approach problems with open-minded curiosity. This skill is invaluable when consulting clients on complex business challenges.

2. Qualitative and Holistic Analysis

While data is crucial in consulting, qualitative insights, such as market trends, cultural factors, and customer behaviors, are equally important. Arts graduates bring a well-rounded analytical approach, considering both numbers and narratives.

3. Innovation and Fresh Perspectives

Firms like McKinsey and BCG value consultants who can approach business problems from new angles. Arts majors, accustomed to interpreting abstract concepts and making interdisciplinary connections, often introduce creative solutions that a purely quantitative mindset might overlook.

Example:
 A philosophy graduate at McKinsey applied logical reasoning techniques learned from analyzing ethical dilemmas to structure a strategy for a retail client navigating sustainability regulations. Their unconventional approach helped identify cost-effective compliance solutions.

Cultural Awareness and Empathy in Client Engagement

Management consultants often work on projects across different industries, regions, and cultures. A background in the arts provides a deep understanding of human behavior, cultural dynamics, and societal trends, critical elements in global consulting.

1. Global Perspective

Arts graduates, particularly those in anthropology, international relations, or languages, bring a nuanced understanding of cultural contexts, making them effective in multinational consulting projects.

2. Empathy in Stakeholder Management

Whether working with clients, internal teams, or end-users, empathy is crucial for collaboration. Arts graduates, trained in understanding different perspectives, excel in stakeholder engagement.

3. Sensitivity to Branding and Customer Experience

In an era where brand perception and user experience drive business success, arts graduates, especially those from design, media, and communication backgrounds, help consulting firms craft compelling brand strategies.

Example:
 A political science graduate at Bain worked on an expansion strategy for an international NGO. Their understanding of geopolitical factors and cultural nuances helped the client develop an effective outreach plan tailored to different markets.

Strong Analytical and Research Abilities

While business graduates are trained in financial modeling and quantitative analysis, arts graduates excel in qualitative research and synthesis.

1. Pattern Recognition and Data Interpretation

Whether analyzing historical trends, literature themes, or social movements, arts graduates develop a strong ability to identify patterns, a critical skill in consulting research and competitive analysis.

2. Argumentation and Evidence-Based Reasoning

Consulting recommendations must be backed by solid reasoning. Arts graduates, trained in defending their arguments with well-researched evidence, excel in constructing persuasive business cases.

3. Rapid Learning Across Industries

The ability to digest large amounts of new information and draw insights is crucial in consulting. Arts graduates, accustomed to studying diverse subjects and synthesizing complex ideas, quickly adapt to different industries and client challenges.

Example:
 A former English major at McKinsey successfully led a market entry strategy for a tech client by using qualitative research methods to uncover hidden customer preferences that competitors had overlooked.

Adaptability and Open-Mindedness

Consulting is a fast-paced field where no two projects are the same. Firms value candidates who are comfortable navigating uncertainty, learning quickly, and adapting to new challenges, qualities that arts graduates naturally possess.

1. Comfort with Ambiguity

Unlike structured business case studies, arts disciplines often explore open-ended questions with no definitive answers. This flexibility translates well into consulting, where real-world problems rarely have a single correct solution.

2. Interdisciplinary Thinking

Arts graduates are trained to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas, which helps in generating innovative solutions.

3. Resilience in High-Pressure Environments

Consulting demands high intellectual agility, and arts graduates, who often juggle multiple research projects, deadlines, and critiques, are well-prepared for the demands of client work.

Example:
 A theater studies graduate at Bain leveraged their background in performance arts to excel in high-stakes client meetings, using improvisation techniques to navigate tough Q&A sessions with senior executives.

Preparing for a Consulting Career with an Arts Background

Breaking into consulting as an arts graduate may seem challenging, but McKinsey, BCG, and Bain actively seek diverse talent beyond business and STEM degrees. The key to success is leveraging your unique skills, building relevant business knowledge, and strategically positioning yourself in the recruiting process.

Skill Development: Strengthening Your Consulting Toolkit

While an arts degree provides strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities, supplementing your expertise with key business and technical skills can enhance your candidacy.

1. Learning Business Fundamentals

Consulting projects often involve financial analysis, strategy development, and operations optimization. While arts graduates don’t need an MBA to enter consulting, understanding core business concepts is highly beneficial.

Recommended Resources:

• The 10-Day MBA by Steven Silbiger – A quick introduction to key business concepts
• Harvard Business Review articles on strategy, leadership, and management
• Free online courses on Coursera or edX in finance, accounting, and business strategy

2. Developing Data Analysis and Excel Skills

Consultants frequently work with data-driven insights to support client recommendations. While deep statistical knowledge isn’t required, familiarity with basic data analysis tools is helpful.

What to Focus On:

• Excel: Learn pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and basic financial modeling
• Data Visualization: Use tools like Tableau or Power BI to present insights effectively
• Logical Structuring: Arts graduates already excel at synthesizing information, learning how to apply this in a business context strengthens their value

3. Practicing Problem-Solving and Case Interviews

Consulting firms assess candidates through case interviews, which test analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, and communication skills. Arts graduates are naturally strong in these areas but should practice framing their thought process in a consulting-style approach.

Resources to Get Started:

• Case in Point by Marc Cosentino – A popular book for case interview preparation
• Victor Cheng’s Look Over My Shoulder – Real case interview recordings
• Websites like PrepLounge, RocketBlocks, and CaseCoach for interactive case practice

Networking Strategies: Connecting with the Right People

Landing a consulting role is not just about skills, networking plays a crucial role in securing interviews and offers.

1. Leveraging University Alumni Networks

Most top consulting firms have alumni networks and on-campus recruiting events. Reaching out to arts graduates who successfully transitioned into consulting can provide invaluable guidance and referrals.

Action Steps:

• Use LinkedIn to find consultants with similar academic backgrounds
• Join university career fairs and networking events hosted by McKinsey, BCG, and Bain
• Set up informational interviews with alumni to learn about their paths into consulting

2. Engaging with Consulting-Specific Communities

Online forums and professional communities offer excellent networking opportunities.

Where to Connect:

• Consulting-focused LinkedIn groups
• Consulting communities on Reddit (r/consulting) and PrepLounge
• Virtual networking events and webinars hosted by consulting firms

3. Attending Firm-Sponsored Events

McKinsey, BCG, and Bain frequently host workshops, mentorship programs, and diversity initiatives targeting candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.

Examples of Exclusive Programs:

• McKinsey’s Diverse Leaders Program – Supports candidates from diverse academic backgrounds
• BCG’s Unlock Program – Aimed at individuals with unconventional career paths
• Bain’s True North Scholarship for Women – Encourages applicants from various disciplines, including arts

Final Thoughts on Breaking into Consulting as an Arts Graduate

While an arts background may seem unconventional for consulting, it offers distinct advantages in communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving. By supplementing business knowledge, leveraging networking opportunities, and crafting a strong application, arts graduates can successfully position themselves as top candidates for McKinsey, BCG, and Bain.

The consulting industry is evolving, and firms increasingly recognize that diversity of thought leads to better problem-solving. With the right preparation, arts graduates can not only break into consulting but thrive in it.