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Exit Opportunities for Strategy& (UK)

exit options strategy&
New answer on Jul 22, 2020
4 Answers
2.7 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Jul 21, 2020

Was wondering if anyone could shed some light into what Strategy& Consultants tend towards after consulting with the firm? Am very much aware of the typical MBB exits to PE / Industry, but do not really know much about those for S& - for e.g. if there are some exits that are just not possible coming from S& vs MBB, being more or less excluded from top B schools, etc. Thank you!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 21, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

In short, exist opportunities from consulting companies are always good. Of course, MBB ones are going to be better, but this does not mean the ones from Strategy are bad.

I would honestly check the LinkedIn pages of people who stayed for different time periods in the firm and see what they did then.

This will be the proof that never lies ;)

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Anonymous A on Jul 22, 2020

Hi, thanks for the reply! I fully understand that MBB exits are inherently going to be better particularly with regards to Private Equity, but was wondering if the same could be said re industry roles? I am deeply interested in entering Renewables / Aerospace for example - Would you say that there is a definite difference in exits there between MBB and Tier 2 firms like S&?

Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 22, 2020
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Hoenstly, there is not a definite difference between exit opportunities. Yes, MBB provide more, but the types of roles are no different.

This means you are still able to transition into internal strategy, private equity, entrepreneurship/startups, boutique consulting, etc. etc.

If you're trying to get into, say, Renewables / Aerospace afterwards, much more important than Strategy& vs MBB is how you position yourself once inside these companies.

So, while you're at Stategy&, make sure to run towards projects that will get you the experience required to pivot. Do well on projects, get a good reputation, network effectively, and get yourself staffed on Green projects, Aerospace, etc. etc.

Once you're in, the world is your oyster...you just need to actively chart the path :)

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Anonymous A on Jul 23, 2020

Actually if I may clarify - what do you mean by more? Do you mean that say for example Corp Strat / leadership roles in larger companies are unavailable for S& folks, or are you referring to more niche opportunities such as startups / VC / PE?

Robert
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 21, 2020
McKinsey offers w/o final round interviews - 100% risk-free - 10+ years MBB coaching experience - Multiple book author

Hi Anonymous,

The majority of candidates transfer to management roles in the industry - which is quite logical, given that at project manager level you are usually the main face to the customer and having a strong background in industry and function ... and since your clients know you already and it can get only cheaper compared to your daily MBB or Strategy& rate, you are the perfect hire for their problem.

Apart from that, some folks start their own ventures or go to VC/PE - although not a very likely occurrence (not having specific data on that - just my observation).

Indeed, the exit opportunities vary much more depending on the specific projects you did and which expertise you built, compared to the specific firm. Could not think of any doors closed just because it's Strategy& and not MBB.

Hope that helps - if so, please be so kind to give it a thumbs-up with the green upvote button below!

Robert

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Anonymous B replied on Jul 21, 2020

My observation - S& exits tend to go for industry or startup roles (less focus on PE). Check out movemeon.com for some ideas

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