Hi there, 

once you are working for MBB i dont see necessary to go for additional education, unless you would like to do it. Depending what you want to do in the future, but MBA seems to be as the best option, rather than PhD. 

Lucie

Was this answer helpful?

Hi there, 

I really don't believe that degrees of any sort help you once you are inside the Firm. What matters most is how good you are/become and the network that you grow around you. 

The only possible advantage I see in doing an MBA or PhD to progress your career is because it can fast track you from Business Analyst to Associate. Aside from that, I really don't see any point to it. The sort of practical knowledge you're going to develop in serving clients for 2-4 years is nowhere near that of sitting in a classroom listening to people who never ran a business or advised one tell you what to do. 

Best,

Cristian

An advanced degree is not necessary. McKinsey has recognized this and removed the requirement that Business Analysts (who join the Firm after their undergraduate degree) leave after around 2 years in the role to either get an advanced degree or go on secondment. Now they can be promoted straight through to manager.

Your efforts are much better focused on being a fantastic consultant and nailing each of the projects that you do; and building your network in the company. 

Hi!

An academic degree will NOT give you any push for your career within an MBB firm. The only thing that matters here is your performance. 

The reason to pursue a degree are completely external to your career within the firm! General market reputation, ego, etc. are reasons. But internally, the effect is zero.

Cheers, Sidi

Hi there,

To be honest I'm confused by the other answers here.

A *top-tier* MBA is a clear and direct funnel to get recruited at MBB. MBB comes to those school to recruit and you are directly provided immense opportunities to shoot your shot.

If your #1 goal is MBB, then please don't do a PhD, but rather an MBA.

Now, before you do, you should just try to apply now. There is nothing to lose.

Network extensively, get referrals, get your resume professionally reviewed, and then apply! 

Hi there, Unless your office says promotion is contingent on an advanced degree, I would argue that it is not needed to be promoted (unless you want to specialise in a very technical field).

What might be an idea is a secondment at a client/in a space you are interested in. 

The above is all optimizing for career progression, if you have a deep personal interest in either the PhD or mba then by all means go for it

What really matters is your performance, not your degrees. If you feel the need to pursue an advanced degree, an MBA will usually be better, unless your PhD thesis is on something that will untimately help the intellectual property of the firm / highly sought after knowledge topic.

At least at McKinsey there was no need to do a grad degree if you were performing well. I knew many partners that started as BAs and continued up to partner in record time.

Only do a PhD because you want to not because you think it will help in moving up the ranks in consulting.

Hello,

I agree with everyone here that an advanced degree is not necessary for career advancement at MBB! What matters is your performance and your network. If you are personally interested in getting a PhD or MBA, then go for it, but there should be more to your desire to do one of those degrees than just the desire for career progression.