Hi
I wanted to ask about the exit opportunities after a brief stint in managment consulting for about 10 years.
I am have recieved offers from both BCG and Bain in the doha office as a experienced hire and wanted to know the exit opportunities for these specific companies in the middle east.
Thanks
Hi,
Congrats for receiving an offer for Bain and BCG in Doha! First of all, enjoy your time in consulting and do not overthink the exit options yet. It's also very much depending on the type of work you will do as consultant and your personal preference. The most common exit options for the ME are:
- Corporate strategy within large regional firms (e.g. telecom, energy, or consumer sectors)
- Government entities or sovereign wealth funds, contributing to national transformation projects
- Private equity, venture capital, or investment roles, especially in growing hubs like UAE and Saudi Arabia
- Startups (as a founder), or leadership roles in scale-ups, especially in tech and fintech
Let me know if you have further questions.
Mattijs
Hi,
Exit opportunities depend on your experience in consulting too. Which practice, which domain are you an expert on, and which role do you exit with?
Based on this information, exit opportunities vary a lot. But usually a good way to know is to see those alumni of similar background of you and see where did they land.
If you could share a bit more details it would be easier to make a judgement.
Best,
Han
Hey there :)
With 10 years, exits are generally very strong. Typical paths include leadership roles in government entities, sovereign wealth funds, large family businesses, and multinationals active in the region. Private equity and investment funds also hire, though usually more from the younger cohorts. Compared to Europe or the US, exits are more concentrated in government-related institutions and large conglomerates, but compensation is usually very competitive.
best,
Alessa :)
One more unfortunate reality I don't think was covered in the other responses, passport matters in GCC exits. Visa and client compliance make EU/NA passports smoother, while some global south passports and those tied to sanctions risk (Iran, Syria, Libya; sometimes Lebanon) face extra hurdles during sponsorship.
Beyond visas and client compliance, some employers still favor EU/NA passports and Western-educated profiles, shaped by a legacy in how “credibility” is perceived. It’s not universal, but it shows up in screening and shortlists.
Mitigate by targeting employers with strong sponsorship ability and clear HR processes, building scarce expertise in hot domains, securing senior references, and keeping ratings top tier.
If I understand correctly, you are planning to work in Bain/BCG for the next 10 years and are concerned about the exit opportunities?
10 years is a goof enough to put you in Principal/Partner tracks - and at that point you can get some good VP-level movements into core industry roles.
Once you become Partner though, exits often go down because staying Partner is more lucrative than many other opportunities.
