Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Moving to consulting after industry vs B school

Hi!

Is it different for people who move to consulting after a few years in the industry, vs those who join directly from b school? How does the work life / career progression differ for the two?

If anyone could share some insight I would really appreciate it.

thanks!

1
4.6k
18
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
edited on Aug 07, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

yes, there are differences in the two paths. If you join right after B-School, you will go in the traditional career path of a post-MBA - Consultant at BCG or Associate at McKinsey. From here, you will move through the usual career steps as if you joined the company from entry level – at the following link you can find as an example the career path at BCG and the time required for each step:

https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/how-do-you-get-promoted-in-business-consulting-334

If you join after some years in the industry, your entry level will depend on the experience that you have accumulated in the meantime. At BCG, you usually do 3 to 6 months in the position below the one you are targeting, and then move up if everything goes well. In particular, at the two extremes you would have the following:

  • if you join after 2 to 5 years without MBA, you may start as senior associate (the equivalent of the position you would have after two years starting as a new graduate), and become a consultant  (second step – post MBA position) after 6 months.
  • if you join after several years of consulting in another firm, you may even join as Principal (the position before the partner level). This actually happened to one person while I was at BCG (which brought some people in the company to think whether that was fair, given that the position is so close to partnership).

In general, coming form the industry, the more years of experience you have, the higher the position you may reach. At the same time, it would be more challenging to join a firm after several years of industry experience, unless you have the specific skillset the company is looking for at that moment for a project or practice.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Similar Questions
Consulting
Got a lower offer from BCG than expected, should I take it?
on Sep 26, 2024
Global
8
2.5k
Top answer by
Mattia
Coach
Bain & Co | 100+ interviews | Free 30-min alignment call | Experienced Hire | SDA Bocconi MBA
101
8 Answers
2.5k Views
+5
Consulting
What Are the Best Management Consulting Firms After MBB?
on Mar 20, 2025
Global
7
2.4k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, interviewing and coaching experience
28
7 Answers
2.4k Views
+4
Consulting
MBB vs Other Firms
on Mar 29, 2025
Global
8
600+
Top answer by
Evelina
Coach
EY-Parthenon (7 years) l BCG offer holder l 97% success rate l 30% off first session l free 15' intro call l LBS
20
8 Answers
600+ Views
+5