Growth Limitation due to lack of MBA? Mckinsey

Hey there,

Don't know if true for that particular office, in general, it is not true.

• I have coached candidates for that role and that office without MBAs
• There are more EMs and above without an MBA than EMs and above with an MBA 
• On top, there is generally an EM shortage in McKinsey and other MBBs so they would shoot themselves in the foot with such arbitrary rules

See for yourself. Go on Linkedin and look for McKinseys in Riyadh, who are EM and above, and look at their education section.

Cheers,

Florian

I can be very clear on this:

• It may be true that the person said this to him - that we can't comment on
• It is not true that there are any limitations for promotion in McKinsey other than the performance criteria that are applied globally and have nothing to do with education

If it were the case that McKinsey used this approach, there wouldn't be any EMs or a firm for that matter. Plenty of amazing leaders without an MBA in the Firm!

Hope this helps. Best of luck!

It's hard to deny definitively but it's very uncommon.  There is always a shortage of EMs at McKinsey where Associates are more often encouraged to advance.  Secondly, the MBA is usually more of a promotion criteria from BA to Associate (not Associate to EM).  It may be true for this specific individual but I wouldn't extrapolate to being true for everyone.

Hi there, 

I dont know for that office, but I would be very surprised. MBB do offer to sponsor MBA for their good performers. 

You can reach out to the HR team to confirm and also explore other consulting firm in the region. 

Good luck,

Lucie

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This sounds ridiculous..I dont think its true and if it is, then its discriminatory. Yes, MBA from a good university add values and helps consulting companies predict future performance, but I know so many very successful people without MBA.

Times have changed. You can chart a path for yourself and setup a successful career without MBA these days.

Hi there,

To be honest I have never heard of this! It could be the case for that particular office, but it does surprise me.

Now, if it is true they will pay…which is a pretty fantastic deal if you ask me!

Finally, why not ask the office directly? Ask them if they require an MBA to get promoted and what their policy is for sponsoring the MBA. They know…

Hello!

No, it´s not at all true. In my class there were some Junior Associates who didn´t have MBAs, and one of them was actually fast track. 

Cheers, 

Clara

Hello, 

It could just be the perception of the Associate you spoke to, the data does not support this. MBBs had this rule 15-20 years back but now they are more keen to retain their high performing analysts and associates by fast tracking them to EM and AP levels. 

Thanks 

Ashwin