Are consulting exit opportunities driven more by firm prestige or industry expertise?

Question

I often hear that consulting provides a "universal pass" to any industry, but I suspect this "you can do anything" reputation is heavily weighted toward MBB generalists.

For those at boutique firms specializing in one niche (e.g., healthcare, energy, or fintech), how do exit opportunities differ? Does deep industry expertise at a boutique firm actually provide better entry into specific leadership roles compared to a generalist from a top-tier firm, or does the lack of a "Gold Standard" brand name limit the range of options?

Any thoughts would be good to hear

Answer 1

Hi there,

This is a very good question, and the honest answer is: both brand and expertise matter — but at different stages and for different exits.

Early in your career (first 3–5 years), firm prestige carries disproportionate weight, especially for broad exits like strategy roles, PE, VC, or top-tier corporate programs. MBB’s “universal pass” effect is real because hiring managers use it as a signal of screening and training quality.

However, as you get more senior, industry depth becomes increasingly valuable. If you’ve spent several years in a strong healthcare or energy boutique, you may actually be better positioned for:

Strategy roles inside that industry
Corporate development in that sector
Operational or transformation leadership roles
Specialist investor or advisory positions

In those cases, domain credibility can outweigh brand.

Where boutiques can feel limiting is when you want to pivot outside your niche. A generalist MBB background makes cross-industry movement easier, especially early on. A niche boutique background makes you more differentiated but less flexible.

Best,

Evelina