Hi there,

I myself worked at McKinsey with a small child. It was tough physically and emotionally but ultimately feasible. I could have pursued my path to potentially becoming Partner but I still left the firm in favor of spending more time with my family.

So in summary:

• Is it possible? Yes, I've done it for about two years.
• Is it common? Fairly, there's plenty of people with young families, from Analyst to Partner level.
• Is it taken into accounts for projects? Sort of - it's down to you to draw some lines in the sand e.g. no international travel and/or negotiating project privileges e.g. dedicated slot every week for play dates with your kid(s). Naturally, this will interfere with your advancement in the firm.
• Is it recommendable? That is a very complex question and depends entirely on your priorities… Hit me up if you want to talk more about it!

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

(editiert)

Hi there,

Of course consultants/associates have families! But no, you're not going to get special treatment for projects.

Now, you have to remember that this job is very difficult, whether you have a family or not.

About half of the people I worked with had partners + children and they made it work.

Of course, you need to understand what “making it work” and “doable” means. You generally don't have weekday evenings free (so tucking children into bed, getting exercise, having time with your spource, etc. are all not gaurentees).

You need to figure out what is most important and prioritize that. It won't be easy regardless of your situation.

Here's a guide to help you out on the job: https://www.preplounge.com/en/articles/tips-for-consultans

(editiert)

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• It is possible to be a consultant/associate at McKinsey with a family, but it can be challenging as the consulting lifestyle can be demanding and time-consuming.
• McKinsey, like other consulting firms, has a reputation for long hours, tight deadlines, and significant travel, which can make it difficult to balance with family responsibilities. However, McKinsey is well aware of this challenge, and it has implemented policies and programs to support its employees with families.
• For example, McKinsey has flexible working arrangements, such as part-time work and remote working, which can help employees balance their work and family obligations. Additionally, McKinsey has a global policy for parental leave, which offers both primary and secondary caregivers a minimum of 12 weeks of paid leave, sometimes even more, depending on local regulations.
• McKinsey also allows new parents to take a break in the form of sabbaticals and flexible return to work options. Moreover, McKinsey has a robust support network, including employee resource groups, that connect employees with similar backgrounds and experiences, which can provide a sense of community and support.
• It's important to note that the consulting lifestyle can be demanding, and it's essential to have a good support system in place, both at home and at work, to navigate the challenges and make it sustainable. It's important to have open and honest communication with your staffing manager about your family situation, and express your needs, so your staffing manager can take it into account when assigning projects.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

Some great answers here and at the end of the day it's a personal decision and also based on your definition of sustainable.

1. If you want to see your kid grow and stay close during their most formative years, then it is not sustainable since you will spend 4 days a week away from home. It only becomes worse as you move up the ranks and the workload/responsibilities increase.
2. If you have a partner that can take care of the kid while you are gone and you are okay with missing a lot of important milestones, then it is sustainable.

I found that at McKinsey, more people had children than not, especially at the higher levels of the pyramid. However, they did not see their kids at all during the week and all had specific arrangments with nannies, kindergarten, etc. Not ideal.

Cheers,

Florian

What I have personally learnt and also from observing many colleagues during my consulting days, if Consulting is the right fit for you and you genuinly enjoy it, then balancing work & family is not an issue at all. You will find a way to make it work, your partner/spouse will appreciate your passion and provide the support.

Most people are not in this situation and struggle. I struggled to find that right balance. The most important pre-requisite is that you genuinly and thoroughly enjoy Consulting! Its the right thing for you..rest is no problem!