for parents: Introduction
We know that you care immensely about your child’s safety and want to ensure that Beacon is a worthwhile investment in your child’s education and future career. That’s why we are passionate about providing the best possible experience for Beacon Fellows on-program and enhancing the career paths of high-achieving students outside of programs.
What We Do
Beacon is the only experiential education program that utilizes an elite-tier consultant as the primary instructor, and an intense, on-premise consulting project for an impressive brand to give students the ability to perform in consulting and helps to signal interest in consulting. Our team has run study abroad programs for over 15 years, and consulting specific programs for over 6 years. Beacon Alumni, after participating in Beacon and graduating from college, have gone on to work at all MBB, top-tier and Big 4 consulting firm and companies in the world. We operate short-term programs (1-9 weeks) over school breaks, aimed at U.S. undergraduates, and taking place primarily in the U.S. and Europe.
Beacon Helps at Different Stages Of the Student Journey
Beacon makes students more competitive to jobs & internships, and provides clarity about their career choice. Where does your student fall in the below matrix?
Will Beacon help with getting great internships & job offers?
Beacon can give students the elements known to drive successful applications and interviews to top consulting firms. Below, after a few box mini-profiles showing some of our alumni, you’ll see links to the parts of our website that show evidence of that success, but also to sections that explain why that success happens in the first place.
It’s Not Just Getting In; It’s Getting in AND Having Options
It’s not just about being accepted to just job or internship; it’s about being accepted AND having great options. The application and interview process is a challenging and competitive one. Help your student maximize their chances of being accepted to not one, but ideally multiple firms, by standing out with the best consulting exposure, great stats (GPA), and proven consulting competencies.
parent testimonial
Robert Vaughn | Father of Sam Vaughn, ‘19 Beacon Fellow, Vanderbilt U. ‘21, Associate at BCG
“Sam absolutely loved his experiences. He had a great time with his roommates and teammates. He learned real world, relevant modeling and problem solving. The client issues he and his team were assigned were so engrossing that he spent a good amount of his time away from the office thinking about best solutions and providing the client with a deliverable that was effective and easily comprehended and digested. Sam loved the international aspect of the Beacon. He embraced not knowing the language. Getting by and thriving in a new culture was a remarkably fun challenge for him. He made lifelong friends. (Often he and his friends would go the beach after work). Beacon did a magnificent job of selecting not just the best young minds but also personable, engaging and caring people. The host company and mentors/group leaders provided practical and meaningful work. They taught and encouraged but also trusted that Sam and his team would work diligently and provide a creative, viable and valuable solution for the client. Sam wrote only a few texts and made very few calls from Spain. As a parent I could tell he was fully engaged in his work, happy and thriving.”
Site Manager testimonial
Alicia and Fellows enjoying a group meal
Alicia L. | Site manager | ‘19 Washington, D.C. Fellowship
“As a Site Manager, I participated in two different Beacon trainings, and the first thing we discussed during the Fellows’ orientation was safety. I kept in contact with the Fellows via WhatsApp every single day and made sure that I was always available when there was a message. For me, the first layer of safety is being available and responsive to whatever the Fellows need. Also, I always made sure they understood that the buddy system is best here in D.C. and to reach out to me if they were going to do something that was off the beaten path… Since we were walking and traveling to many different places together, it was important to give them information ahead of time, e.g. our metro stop, the address of our destination, etc. I also acted as an example myself. I didn’t rush people across the street just to make the light. I stopped and waited and served as that example for them. My approach was to model safe behavior.”
What about safety?
SAFETY IS OUR PRIORITY
The safety of our participants is a priority for us. Safety level is a factor when we decide which cities and programs to open. Also, we train our on-program team members prior to each season. Our Site Managers seek to be available 24/7 to students, should students need assistance. Also, we provide each student with travel health insurance.
To learn more about best practices for safe travel, make sure to sign up for the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) administered by the US Department of State. Also, prior to deciding on which country to travel to, you can compare how different countries are viewed by the Department of State. Generally, European countries are seen as safe for travelers.
As with any program and with every country, including the U.S., students should exercise caution and prudence, and know that their own decisions will also play a large role in lowering risks and keeping them safe.
Site Managers going through safety training before the summer season.
Safety in Europe vs. the U.S.
Students traveling, domestically or abroad, should exercise prudence and engage in habits that make their experience more likely to be safe. However, the European countries in which we have programs (most but not all of our programs are in Europe) are generally as safe or safer than the US. We invite parents to search the Global Peace Index Ratings for their student’s host country. This does not mean that there are no risks (and students should be prudent), but it does mean that, as a whole, European countries have lower risks of crime, for instance.
frequently asked questions
What is the beacon fellowship?
The Beacon Fellowship is an educational business program that is designed to help current undergraduate students develop high-level, tangible skills before graduation. It allows them to not only be better prepared for the workforce but also to thoughtfully discern if the business or consulting field is the right fit for them to pursue as a career. Students learn the core from a Project Lead with experience at McKinsey, Bain, or BCG through an in-depth, hands-on project for an elite client. Past clients have included Airbus, UNICEF, and Children’s National Hospital.
what programs are available?
Every Beacon program is lead by an experienced consultant from McKinsey, Bain or BCG and takes place at or near the site of an elite client host. Past clients have included Airbus, UNICEF, and Children’s National Hospital. Visit our programs page for the most up-to-date availability.
How much does the program cost?
The program fee varies based on two factors: the length of the program that your child selects and the location of the programs. Fees cover items such as housing, the experienced MBB Project Lead, several meals each week, weekend excursions, public transit around the city, and health insurance while abroad. Please see our fees & policies page for the specific costs of each program.
Will my child be able to understand the client if they are in a different country?
There are no language requirements to participate in The Beacon Fellowship, and we do not expect Fellows to speak the language of their host city. While the employees at the client site may not speak English fluently, we do guarantee that the Project Lead will be able to communicate fully with the employees as needed for the consulting work. Each program is also lead by an experienced consultant from McKinsey, Bain or BCG and has a dedicated Site Manager on call 24/7 local to the destination city.
Will my child be safe?
The Site Manager’s primary role is to manage the safety and logistics of the program, such as helping Fellows navigate the city, planning weekend excursions, and being the point of contact for any emergencies. The Site Manager is often a resident of the city, and they work for the program on a full-time basis while the program is running. Your child will be connected with the Site Manager and the rest of the students before the program begins.
Will they be living with roommates?
Yes, your child should expect to share a room with 1–3 other Beacon Fellows in the program.
Who is onsite to help the Fellows?
The Site Manager is the main point of contact for Fellows while on program, and they are responsible for managing orientation, group communication, and the practical ins and outs of living and working in a new city. We have a network of international staff that supervise and support our Site Managers, providing additional resources as necessary.
What staff member would I get in touch with if there is a problem during the program?
The Site Manager will be the best point of contact if there is a problem, and you and your child will have their contact information before the Fellowship begins. We will also provide you with an emergency line that you can access if needed.
How will my child get from the airport to housing upon arrival?
On the first day of the program, Fellows are free to arrive throughout the day. To allow for this flexibility, the Site Manager greets each student at the housing instead of at the airport. Before the Fellowship begins, the Post Enrollment Team will provide your child with a detailed overview of the city’s transportation options and help them come up with the best plan for their specific travel itinerary. There are additional options such as coordinating with other Fellows to meet at the airport and travel to housing together. Regardless of what is best for your child, we will make sure that you feel secure in your plan before the program begins!
Will I be able to contact my child? How?
Yes, you will be able to contact your child during the program. The Post Enrollment Team can share commonly used phone apps for international communication. For example, WhatsApp is what the Site Manager will use with the cohort of Fellows.
How does the student get around in the city?
Beacon provides transportation from the housing to the client site, as well as transportation on weekend excursions. A Beacon staff member will be with the Fellows for those trips, and the group will travel as a cohort. Oftentimes, Fellows will receive a local transit pass for the duration of the program, which allows them to have access to transit options during their free time, at least within a certain range of the city center. The Site Manager will provide safety tips and suggestions for any city travel that is not part of our programming.
How many excursions are there?
The number of excursions in the program varies depending on the season and length of time that your child chooses. The Post Enrollment team can provide more details based on their specific program choice.
How many meals are covered?
All breakfasts are covered, along with two lunches and two dinners per week of the program.
What will the housing accommodations be like?
Housing varies by program and could be a university dorm, an apartment, or international student housing. We consider the safety of the neighborhood and travel distance to the client when making a final selection. Fellows can expect to have at least one roommate.