How feasible it is to transition fomr Expert Consultant in GBS Mexico to a Generalist Consulting Position

Hello there,

A coachee of mine has been referred to an expert position at Bain and the partner said to him that he would be able to transition to the generalist role in a year (that is in Portugal).

I know that at McKinsey this is also feasible, however not common. It may be because it is a platform for career progression (AP/partners work in specific functions). 

Good luck!

Mari
 

Hi there,

These things are usually evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

What is important is that you have help from (senior) leaders in the organization, e.g., partners from each practice, your office, your mentors.

They need to push you (allow you to transition) and pull you (request your demand for generalist projects).

Networking, strategic project selection all play a role here...

Cheers,

Florian

hi there, 

I have seen examples of expert consultants pivoting to the generalist track. It is not that common and not very easy - the person needs to have enough exposure to generalist case team (e.g., long enough staffed on case rather than just 1-2 weeks ad-hoc surge support here and there) and also do an outstanding job to let the leadership team believe that he/she can perform as a generalist. 

Not easy, but can be done. 

Best,

Emily

It is possible, but it is not easy. Being able to showcase your abilities in project work, creating good relationships and reputation with partners is quite important.

Hi there, 

it does work but is not an easy or very common path. If you want to make the move, you need to try to make it early and with as much internal support as possible. The early career levels for experts and generalists are quite similar which makes it slightly easier to transition. 

Best,
Sebastian

Hey there ?,

Congrats on your Bain offer—that’s a great start! Transitioning from an Expert Associate Consultant (EAC) in GBS Mexico to a generalist track at Bain is possible, but it’s not automatic or easy—and depends on a few factors:

? What helps

– Outstanding performance in your current role (build strong sponsorship from partners)
– Expressing your interest early on and showing willingness to staff on cross-functional / generalist projects
– A clear story around why you want to move from expert to generalist and how your skillset is transferable

⚠️ What to keep in mind

– GBS roles are more support/implementation focused, so breaking into generalist (especially at home office level) may require an internal transfer and some re-assessment
– Some consultants have moved from expert to generalist, but often through office transfers or with the support of an MBA

If you’d like help crafting that internal narrative or planning how to position yourself long-term, I’d be happy to support ?

Best,
Alessa ?