The MBA experience at MIT Sloan stands out for its distinct culture of exploration and collaboration, surrounded by an ecosystem designed to support transformative growth. In this series, MBA Career Peers share insights from their recruiting experiences to help others navigate the journey.
MBA Career Peer Beatriz Sofal (MBA ’26) came to MIT Sloan to switch from consulting into a strategy role in the U.S. consumer industry, leveraging resources like her MBA Career Advisor, MBA Career Peers, Career Central, Sloan Directories, and the MIT Sloan Network on LinkedIn to guide her search. As part of her journey, Beatriz also tested new environments through short-term work experiences, including working with a startup the summer before coming to MIT Sloan.
Tell us about your internship recruiting journey. How did you choose your path?
I recruited for strategy roles in the consumer industry. As an international student, I targeted large U.S. corporations with strong brand recognition so that gaining experience at a well-known company could strengthen my resume and open future opportunities in the U.S. job market.
I chose strategy because it builds on my prior experience in management consulting (I worked for 2.5 years at McKinsey & Company before Sloan), where I discovered that strategy work is where I enjoy contributing the most.
I also value using internships to test new experiences, since the risk is relatively small. Before Sloan, for example, I spent a year at a Series B startup to experience the day-to-day of a smaller and more dynamic company.
How did you find your internship and what was your search timeline?
I began my search in early February, when classes in the spring semester started. I interned at Michelin and learned about the recruiting process through a job posting on Career Central. I interviewed in early March and received an offer the same week.
What were the most important steps that helped you succeed in recruiting for the consumer industry?
Prepare for case interviews, especially if the interviewer is a former consultant. Performing well in a case can help distinguish you from other candidates, many of whom are also from top MBA programs or have strong professional backgrounds. Fortunately, many classmates at Sloan come from consulting/are recruiting for consulting and can help you practice. Consulting Career Peers are also a great resource, and the MCC case best-practices training provides useful guidance. However, when recruiting outside of management consulting firms, you do not need to overinvest time here given busy schedules with classes and recruiting – practicing 1-2 cases should be sufficient.
Create a list of companies you would like to work for but stay flexible. I initially hoped to work in Boston, where there are many consumer companies, but I did not receive interview invitations there. Being flexible about both companies and location opened new opportunities, which is how I ultimately joined Michelin in South Carolina. It is important to remain flexible while still staying true to your priorities. I am interested in mobility and had previous experience in this sector, so Michelin strongly aligned with my interests.
How did you approach networking for the Consumer industry and what advice would you give to others?
Take advantage of speakers who visit Sloan classes and events. For example, in Competitive Strategy, speakers from several different companies came to campus. In addition, many companies host lunch sessions through Sloan clubs each week. If you are interested in a speaker or company, attend the session and follow up with them afterward. It is much easier to receive a response from someone you met at an event than through a cold message on LinkedIn.
Another useful resource is the Sloan Directory. You can see where classmates previously worked and identify connections at companies that interest you.
Lastly, leverage LinkedIn. Reaching out to professionals who work at companies you admire can open doors. I prioritized people with backgrounds similar to mine—Brazilians, Sloanies, former consultants, or MBA alumni—since they are more likely to respond. Although the overall response rate may be low, this approach led to several valuable conversations with managers at companies I was highly interested in. These conversations helped me better understand my fit with the organization and even connected me with hiring managers.
What resources did you find most valuable in your search?
One of the most valuable resources was my CDO MBA Career Advisor. I recommend meeting regularly with the same advisor so they can better understand your goals and provide more customized support. For example, I had sessions focused on recruiting as an international student, offer negotiation, and interview preparation.
The CDO also hosted a panel on job search strategies for international students, which I found extremely helpful. Hearing advice from other international students who had faced similar challenges provided practical tips and reassurance.
Lastly, leverage Career Peers. You can schedule 1:1 sessions with them. They are a great resource for quick questions about recruiting strategy, interview preparation, and navigating the overall recruiting process.
What was your secret to success, or alternatively, what’s one thing you wish you’d known or done differently during the recruiting process?
Start early! Even if you hear that most Retail and CPG recruiting happens in the spring, many companies begin accepting resumes in the fall and you want to be prepared to engage when those spring opportunities appear. Have your resume ready, clarify your career path and the roles you want to recruit for, create a list of companies you would like to work for, and start connecting with people on LinkedIn and at Sloan. Then, check Career Central job postings regularly and have your resume ready to submit as soon as a role that interests you is posted.
I wish I had started earlier – delaying my recruiting process added unnecessary stress. For example, in early February, when I started looking for open positions at companies I was interested in, I realized that many of them had already opened and closed CV submissions for their MBA roles between November and January. I felt very disappointed, thinking that I had missed the opportunity to work with them.
Also, no matter how supportive you are of your friends, once your peers start landing offers, it is hard not to feel the pressure to find a job yourself.
Starting early gives you more options and greater peace of mind. Stay persistent; the right opportunity will come if you remain focused.
