Get Active in Our Amazing Community of Over 452,000 Peers!

Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Case Partners to connect and practice with!

Economic environment/Business Cycle 2023-2024

Recessions
New answer on Jul 18, 2022
5 Answers
738 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jul 16, 2022

Prompted by the post on recession, I wanted to get thoughts on what the economic outlook is for 2022 remaining half and looking further ahead for 2023/2024-- I know it is difficult to look that far ahead? 

Basically, I am looking at a 1 year program in 2023 and so graduating in 2024 January, the job prospects will depend heavily on the prevailing economic conditions and so need to have a plan in place. Would it be a good move to invest in a 1 year program (for mid-career execs) and graduate in 2024 Jan?

(edited)

Overview of answers

Upvotes
  • Upvotes
  • Date ascending
  • Date descending
Best answer
Moritz
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 18, 2022
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos

Hi there,

None of us have a crystal ball so the best thing you can do is hedge your bets. In practice, this means your profile needs to be attractive, whatever happens.

  • Recession: You must be able to sell yourself as a crisis manager who can drive transformation and cost cutting initiatives to save the bottom line.
  • Growth: You must be able to sell yourself as a driver for growth and being able to take advantage of the upswing after a crisis.

I work in commodity trading and this is how we deal with the uncertainty of crude oil price development, for example. We use hedging to de-risk our position.

By the way, consultancies do this very well and “never let a good crisis go to waste” (Winston Churchill). They position themselves according to what the general economy does and they win whether there's an upswing or a decline.

Hope this helps! Best of luck!

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jul 18, 2022

I plan to take a loan for the tuition fees (100%) so worst case scenario would be graduating with a hefty loan but without a job for lets say 6 months. I can take a lower paying job (if that is an option) but that has its own long term drawbacks.

Moritz on Jul 19, 2022

There's two decisions to be made: (1) Degree: Yes or no? / (2) If yes: Now or later? Let's assume it's a yes for (1) and you really want this degree, which you may or may not need (this is a separate discussion). My advice for (2) would be to analyze whether you could afford to get through the worst case scenario without financially ruining yourself. If not, I would stay clear of the degree. Otherwise, 2023/2024 may well be a good time if the opportunity cost isn't too high. Again, none of us have a crystal ball for how things will turn out on a macro level. As long as you're clear about your personal mission and demonstrate the right mindset paired with competence, you'll be unstoppable!

Anonymous A on Jul 20, 2022

Thanks, those are some really good points.

Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 17, 2022
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

I don't think anyone knows the exact economic cycle for 2023/24 (and if they knew, they would not share it here and rather make a ton of money in the stock market).

In any case, I guess you have an underlining question you didn't present, which is what you are really looking for. 

For example, whether to enroll in the program or not.

To get feedback on that I would recommend the following:

  1. Identify the options available (eg enroll in the program or not)
  2. Share what is your goal with that (eg increase your salary / land in a specific firm)
  3. Clarify what is your question (eg should I enroll in the program)

This will help us to provide better answers and possibly help with the decision.

Hope this helps,

Francesco

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jul 17, 2022

I would say more than the overall economic situation, what is the job market expected to be like -- My specific question is indeed around whether enrolling in a high cost 1 year program in 2023 is a good idea in terms of timing?

Francesco on Jul 17, 2022

Hi there, to answer properly it would be useful to have more information, such as type of program, goals and opportunity cost. If you want please feel free to PM for that, happy to help.

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 17, 2022
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Economic theory + history indicates that recessions generally happen 18 months after the beginning of an interest rate hike cycle.

However, as Larry Summers says: No real economist will ever say something is 100%.

We just don't know.

Signs are pointing to an upcoming recession. But recessions can be 2008 or 1990. We have had 14 since the Great Depression. Meaning? They are common.

“The average recession has lasted 17 months, while the six recessions since 1980 have lasted less than 10 months on average”

(Source: Investopedia)

I'm giving you a “nothing” answer with lots of facts because that is the reality. We don't know.

Because of that, you should ideally make this decision based on your own individual situation more than anything.

Was this answer helpful?
Anonymous A on Jul 18, 2022

Thank you for the information

Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 18, 2022
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Nobody can tell you for sure. Sadly, we have destroyed the planet, many countries are destabilised and the human desire does not seem to settle. So, unfortunately we have to get used to living in unstable market, environment and social conditions. How exactly businesses adapt to this, is to be seen.

Make your moves based on all the information and knowledge you have “now”. More importantly, if you have genuine reasons to do that 1-year program and have calculated your risk/worst case scenario, go for it and let things happen. 

All the best.

Was this answer helpful?
Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 17, 2022
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Very much agree with Francesco here! It´s so hard to predict, but also we would need more info to tell you our 2 cents (e.g., it doesn´t impact the same way the way the market is, if you are an MBA graduating from a top program than from another type of master, etc.)

Cheers, 

Clara

Was this answer helpful?
Moritz gave the best answer

Moritz

Premium + Coaching Expert
Content Creator
ex-McKinsey EM & Interviewer | 7/8 offer rate for 4+ sessions | 90min sessions with FREE exercises & videos
180
Meetings
8,334
Q&A Upvotes
43
Awards
5.0
69 Reviews