Career choice

Hi there, I did INSEAD and saw quite a few classmates go into asset/wealth management, so it’s definitely doable, even without a pure finance background. I know one who did a summer in asset management and then joined MBB full-time — so both are on the table if you catch up on the finance basics.

That said, MBB is still the cleaner pivot if you want options and credibility fast — especially in the Middle East, where INSEAD has strong placement (probably ~10–20% of the class ends up there).

If you're interested in finance, explore it during the MBA, but don’t overlook consulting as a solid long-term play. Both paths are valid and it just depends on what kind of day-to-day work you actually want.

Hope it helps.

Hi! I also went to a European school (LBS), previously worked in corporate banking strategy and pivoted to consulting post MBA in the Middle East, although I had an MBB offer in London too.

Given your background, consulting might be a better immediate fit as you’ve worked in strategy and are planning to get an MBA (esp. Insead is a consulting feeder school). You can specialise in financial services early on (even if starting on a generalist pathway, you can softly affiliate) before moving into the industry.

Ofcourse, recruiting for both consulting and finance roles might be possible simultaneously as well depending on recruitment timelines. Do check with MBA schools you plan to apply to.

Happy to chat further on any of these areas and good luck!

Hi there, 

With your mix of engineering and strategy experience, plus a potential top MBA, you’re in a strong position to pivot. The key is to be clear on your long-term goal. If you see yourself in wealth and asset management, an MBA plus a direct move into finance roles may be the more efficient path. If you’re unsure and want to keep options open, MBB in the Middle East can be a great springboard: you’ll gain brand, network, and exposure that still lets you exit into finance later.

So the choice comes down to whether you want a focused route into finance right away, or a broader platform through consulting that keeps multiple doors open.

Best of luck!

Hi there,

Given your background, both paths are possible, but they come with different levels of risk. With a top MBA like INSEAD, MBB in the Middle East is a realistic and strong option. The firms there hire actively, and consulting gives you a brand, training, and broad exposure. A lot of people use it as a bridge into finance in the region—whether sovereign funds, PE, or asset management—after a couple of years.

Going straight into Wealth/Asset Management is trickier. Those firms often look for people with direct finance experience, so without that, you’d likely need to lean heavily on your MBA internships and network to make the jump. It’s not impossible, just more competitive.

If your main goal is to work in finance long term, I’d see MBB as the safer way to build credibility and open doors in the Middle East. Direct entry into WAM could work, but consulting keeps more options open.

Best,
Evelina

hey there :)

If you’re aiming for the Middle East, both paths are realistic. MBB is a strong platform there, especially post-INSEAD, and it keeps doors open to wealth/asset management later. It gives you broad strategy and operations exposure, which can help if you eventually want to move into senior roles in finance or family offices. Directly entering finance (asset/wealth mgmt) is also possible, but usually requires prior finance track record or networking into those niche roles.

So the “safer” route for you is MBB after INSEAD, since it leverages your strategy background, builds credibility in the region, and leaves finance exits open later. If you’re already deeply connected in wealth/asset management, you could also try direct, but MBB gives you more optionality.

best, Alessa :)

Hi there,

INSEAD 19D here. MBB is by far the more common role coming out of this program. Here especially the Middle East is a geography that sees a lot of INSEAD MBAs going to. That said there were also people going the Wealth and Asset Management route and went mostly to Wealth Management Divisions of big banks.

Now for you specifically, if you are set on Wealth and Asset Management you might just go there directly. If you are not sure yet, use the time at INSEAD to figure it out by networking heavily and then decide. Worst case once recruiting season comes you can still apply to both.

Best,
Lukas

Hi there, 

MBB would not help you get into Wealth and Asset Management. If that's what you'd like to pursue, it is better to try to make the pivot leveraging your MBA - might be better to consider a 2-year MBA program instead of INSEAD, because the 1 year in INSEAD would past very fast, and you might not have enough run way to get into Wealth and Asset Mgmt. 

Meanwhile, you might want to start learning more finance related knowledges already, given you background is in engineering and strategy for startup. 

Best,

Emily

Hi there,

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

• Contrary to what other coaches have said, if you know that you want to pursue a career in finance, I would strongly advise against joining consulting. There may be minor overlaps, but it does not make you more qualified for finance roles.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

If you want to work in finance and in Asset Management you should take finance or Asset Management roles, not MBB.

This is like wanting to be a tennis player and asking whether you should practice tennis / a racket sport... or instead go and play basketball.