Hi,

Here's my take on your questions, with more of a slant towards SEA (where i'm based).

How common is the freelancing exit after 3-4 years at MBB? Do you really earn more as a freelancer than SC/M at MBB?

• Of course, geography and role specific
• In SEA, freelancing is not as common as the market is still not very mature
• Quite often freelance/contract work can be very specific, and if you don't have that expertise you really dont qualify at all
• If you freelance and go back as a contractor for MBB, then yes you earn more as a freelancer than SC/M on a per-day basis (and with less effort)
  • e.g. if you look at some of the freelancing platforms, tier 1 firms have recently been requesting for 6-12months PMs for transformations etc

What are some of the common exits after doing 3-4 years of CDD at MBB?

• I worked in BCG PIPE, so speaking from first hand knowledge and experience also applying for some of these
• Firstly, many of the ‘general’ exits are also applicable to you even if you have only focused on CDD
  • e.g. Corp strategy, Tech, Startups
  • I was approached by headhunters for Corp strategy, Tech, and growth/late-stage startups
• There are a few exits more specific to CDD, but the big caveat is that the absolute number/openings varies significantly by market and the players operating in it
  • PE deal team (difficult to get into, more rare)
  • PE value creation / ops team (typically easier than deal team)
  • VC deal team (easier to get in than PE deal team imo)
  • VC value creation (very rare as most don't really have dedicated roles at the junior level for this)
  • Corporate M&A
  • Sovereign Wealth Funds (most portfolio/value creation teams)

Happy to chat more in detail - drop me a pm

All the best!