The Beacon Fellowship

More than just a study abroad program, Beacon utilizes an elite-tier consultant as the primary instructor, and learning takes place in a several-week, intense, on-premise consulting project for a top organization, itself an impressive brand. Beacon alumni consistently excel in consulting applications and interviews because their Beacon experience uniquely (1) shows ability to perform in consulting and (2) signals interest in consulting beyond mere words, all of this gained (3) while studying abroad in a single or multi-country program. With extensive experience at the elite-tier consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, and BCG) and formal education from prestigious business schools such as Harvard Business School & MIT Sloan, Project Leads are uniquely equipped to guide their cohort of Fellows through an immersive consulting project. Beacon’s goal is to expand and challenge the students’ horizons by exposing them directly to elite-level consulting via experienced Project Leads from Harvard Business School, which will stand out on their resumes and equip them with new skill-sets. Beacon alumni reported progressing in key consulting skills, per a study that assessed them on the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes’ Competency Framework. Overall, the students believed they had progressed on 92% of these Core Competencies, which include analytical skills, consulting knowledge, business insight, assignment management, & professionalism. Beacon’s client partners range from large industry leaders and government organizations, to non-profits and innovative start-ups, each facing distinct complex challenges. Beacon filters potential clients to find projects that solve real problems and maximize the Fellows’ impact. For the duration of their Fellowship, Fellows work at the client site, developing real solutions to solve clients’ complex needs under the guidance of their experienced Project Lead.