Pre MBA role vs post MBA role

Hey there,

Pre-MBA

Typically Analyst/Associate/Consultant level with anywhere from 0-4 years of experience, working under an experienced consultant/manager to learn the ropes. Typically tends to be generalists but sometimes autonomy & big responsibilities are given if teams are very small & your performance is top notch. Lots and lots to learn at this stage due to super handson nature of the job and expectations i.e. be prepared to do a raneg of trivial tasks to complicated data analytics to glossy slide decks to preparing for complex workshops.

Post-MBA

Could be junior consultants/managers who are getting back in to the firm after an MBA or experienced hires from other consulting firms/industry companies. Typically 4-5 yrs+ experience and get hired at Senior Consultant/Manager level generally. Sometimes, senior managers/directors also go for executive MBA to give themselves a career push. At this level, the job is to lead worktstreams/projects, manage small teams & budgets, start facing senior clients, support business development and start establishing some expertise in a function or industry in the route to get promoted to more senior level in 2-3 years

Have a look at this thread too for some related tips: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum/consultant-post-mba-role-vs-associate-pre-mba-role-8888

Hi,

The formal criteria are the following:

• Pre-MBA means you have 1-3 years of experience
• Post-MBA - you have 4+ years of experience or 2+ years + MBA

Now let's discuss the differences at work:

• In the beginning, the nature of work is very similar - analytics, slides, etc
• The expectations are higher at the post-MBA level. The expectations are mostly related to your ability to lead the workstream yourself with minimum interventions from the Manager
• The major difference is in the development of the role. As an experienced hire, in 1-2 years you will be fully responsible for leading a standalone workstream or leading the full project. If you perform well for multiple projects in a row - you get officially promoted to the manager title

Best

Pre MBA

Expectations: Significant "Analysis" work. So, work extensively in excel and powerpoint. Take notes, synthesize information, conduct interviews, etc. Less client-facing exposure, but it does still exist.

BCG Associate

Bain Associate

McKinsey Analyst

Post MBA

Expectations: Still significant "analysis" work and extensive time spent in excel and powerpoint. However, you are expectred to drive to deeper level insights, really create value for the clients, and lead client interactions/engagements on your own to a greater degree.

BCG Consultant

Bain Consultant

McKinsey Associate

This source here is fantastic for a deeper dive as well: https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2020/02/17/mckinsey-vs-bcg-vs-bain-vs-big4/

Hi there,

well, they do the same job. The difference is that Pre-MBA work experience can determine where you do your MBA, where you work after can depend on your MBA school.

Cheers,

GB

Hi,

The work is essentially the same, i.e. analysis via Excel and PowerPoint.

You tend to have more responsibilities in terms of workload and client exposure after MBA but it really depends on the project, your performance, etc.

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

Hello!

In McK, for instnace, we are talking about Business Analyst vs. Associate. 

Scope and type of job is similar, what changes is the bar you need to meet and raise, and the expectations, in terms of: 

• Autonomy
• Workstreams handled
• People management
• Client management
• etc.

Hope it helps!

Cheers, 

Clara

Hi,

Pre-MBA role:

• Expected more to conduct a very sharp analysis and insights generation based on the direction provided by the manager

Post-MBA role:

• Stil expected more to conduct a very sharp analysis and insights generation based on the direction provided by the manager
• However, you are also expected to have more autonomy in driving the solution for the client while maintaining alignment with the project leadership

To give a more simple decription, a partner in BCG once told me that if an Associate made a mistake it is the Project Leader's sole responsibility but if a Consultant made mistakes the responsibility also fall on the Consultant

Best,
Iman