Based on understanding that you want to be a client-facing MBB consultant, I would only take the BCG offer if there is a certain trajector to make that transition. Many will say it's possible but the reality is often the opposite. If so, I would be tempted to build your consulting experience else where first and then re-apply to MBB. Considering that MBBs are continuing to grow in scale (i.e., intake), if you have a strong profile with good experience, I would feel encouraged. On the contrary, once you are a research consultant, getting over that "label" can be a big struggle, even if it's BCG.

Hi there,

You have to first figure out exactly what you want career-wise!

The wrong career at an amazing company means nothing!

If the specific role you are given at BCG meets your career needs, then go for that! If, however, you're sacrificing (i.e. the day-to-day activites don't appeal to you long-term), you can't compromise on that even if it's a top-tier firm!

Hi, if you are serious about strategy consulting I would prefer ier2 firms to a research role

Best,
Antonello

Hi there,

First of all, congratulations on the offers!

I would be happy to share my thoughts on your question:

I would highly advise you to opt for the option that better aligns with your professional (and maybe even personal) mid- to long-term goals. In order to make an informed decision, I would advise you to do the following:

• Weigh the different criteria that are meaningful to you independently of the current options (e.g., prestige, culture, international exposure, compensation, location). After that, score the two options based on your criteria and their weighting, resulting in two scores. This way, you have covered the left-brain perspective.
• Critically assess your initial reaction to the outcome of the scores. For instance, if you feel the urge to tweak the numbers, this is a solid indicator that you do not want this decision to become reality. This way, you have covered the right-brain perspective.
• By doing so, you will be able to integrate both parts of the brain into the decision-making, guaranteeing a higher chance that you will still be happy with it years later.

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

If you post your offers, I'm happy to react.