MBB to start up after 6 months

Hi there, 

Sorry to hear that your MBB journey feels frustrating. It is not common, and usually I wouldn't recommend, to leave after only 6 months, because there are still so many things you can learn and developments you can make. 

However, if it is affecting your mental and physical health, then it definitely calls for a serious reconsideration. Your health is more important than short term career progress. 

Best,

Emily

Sorry to hear it hasn't been a good experience to date.

Leaving after 6 months does happen, but it means that you won't really benefit from the MBB brand name on your CV, and future recruiters will likely know that it didn't work out for you.

That is not the be all and end all, though. If you've found a job that ticks all your other boxes (interest, progression, pay, etc.) then go for it. 

There's no real problem with leaving early, it's just that you will not reap the full benefits that people traditionally join MBB firms for.

Best of luck, whatever you choose.

Hi there,

If you know for sure it's not the right thing for you, then it's a mistake that you're there, and leaving is the smart thing to do. Anybody has a problem with this? Then explain them this. 

But what is important to know is that everybody struggles with the first year in MBB. I did too. It was one of my worst years. But then it took off afterwards. 

I've actually put together a guide with some advice on how navigate this first year in consulting. You might find it useful:

• Expert Guide: How to Become A Distinctive Consultant

Best,
Cristian

Hi there,

If you're confident that the startup role is what you really want, then go for it.

If you're only considering it now out of frustration, it might be worth sticking it out a bit longer. I think most of us have felt frustrated or seen our well-being take a hit at some point during our time in MBB.

Six months isn’t really long enough for the experience to have a meaningful impact on your career. If possible, try adjusting your working hours, team, or project setup to ease the pressure on your health.

If you can make it to at least 1.5 to 2 years, you’ll have built a stronger foundation: broader project experience, sharper skills, and a clear track record of performing in a high-paced environment.

Happy to chat if that’s helpful — just drop me a message and we can set up a quick call free of charge.

All the best,
Kevin

Hi There,

Without trying to sound repetitive the single most important thing will always be your health. If you are seeing mental and physical health challenges then it is absolutely the right thing to do to have that reflection if MBB is the career path for you.

In terms of leaving within 6 months, I would usually say to try and stick it out for 1 year just cause it generally will be tough to recruit with that experience. However, seeing as you have an offer you are able to overcome that hump.

What I will say is that if you are looking to move then you have to take this new role at face value:

1. Do you believe in the startup? Sounds like there probably is a market for this if they are raising money, but you should really believe in this idea especially if this is still fairly early stage

2. WLB at MBB can obviously be tough, but working at a startup may still cause you to have some longer and frankly crazier work days since you may have to wear multiple hats.

3. With you leaving after 6 months from MBB you will have to commit probably at least 2 years to this job as leaving before that may be a red flag with recruiters.

4. Compensation: Sounds like you have come to terms with the pay cut, just make sure you truly are okay with this and that you can afford the pay cut with your lifestyle.

If you are checking off all these boxes than I think it makes sense. You have to do what is best for you and your health. 

Hopefully this helps and best of luck

-Ankit A.

Hello there,

Sorry for this situation, almost every consultant has got to this point.

There are so many pros and cons here, that is hard to tell you objectively what to do. Put them in a table considering also WHY you joined MBB in the first place and weight these different things according to the impact they will have on your life/career.

Think about the worst case scenario in both alternatives (leave vs stay for 6-12m more).

You’ll probably be fine anyway, but this is a decision that should take your specificities into account.

Good luck,

Mari

A lot of high-performing hires in the Middle East struggle during the first 6–12 months, myself included, especially with the intensity of travel (may not be applicable to you), long hours, and ambiguity on public-sector-heavy projects. It's even more common in KSA, where on-the-ground presence is expected and staffing can feel relentless. However, I myself thought I'd only last 2 years and leave, but I ended up staying for more than 4.

That said, here’s how I’d frame the risk assessment:

1. The biggest “risk” is future narrative
Leaving MBB after 6 months won’t “blacklist” you. But you will need to own that story clearly in future interviews, especially if you stay in the region. MBB is still the top signaling brand across the Gulf, and local investors or portfolio companies of PIF / ADQ may not understand why someone left so soon unless it’s clearly framed as a values or lifestyle mismatch.

2. The startup environment matters a lot
If the VC-backed startup is in the UAE or KSA, has strong burn runway, and is building in a space aligned with national priorities (e.g., fintech, govtech, logistics, climate), then you're likely jumping into something that could put you ahead long-term. Bonus if the founder is ex-MBB, makes your move look intentional.

3. The tradeoff is more to do with optics vs. compensation
In this region, optics and positioning matter. You’ll lose the MBB halo early, but if your startup takes off or gets acquired by a sovereign entity (think STC, PIF, e&, ADQ), you’ll be seen as someone who took a bet and won. But if it flops quickly, you'll need to manage that transition carefully, and that likelihood is high (especially in the region).

4. Mental and physical health is non-negotiable
You’ve already proven yourself on two projects and earned strong reviews. You don’t need to “suffer” to make the brand count. If you’re already sure this isn’t a fit, cutting losses early is better than dragging out a year while burned out and disengaged. But, 2 projects is not enough for you to know that you "found your people". It took me a year before I fully felt comfortable to be truly standalone and work with people I enjoyed working with, even if hours were bad.

Final tip: lock in your reference now. Before you leave, make sure at least one EM or Partner is willing to vouch for your performance. That’s the one thing you won’t be able to manufacture later.

If you want to work through the decision in more detail, happy to talk through the regional nuances in a private session. I’ve seen this play out both ways.