Is consulting worth the effort if not MBB?

Hi there,

It all depends on what you want. It also depends on where you're starting.

Many people would say yes, many would say not.

If you're fresh out of college and have 0 experience on your resume, you would be hard pressed to turn down a tier 2. If you've already worked at Google and Goldman Sachs, less so.

If your life dream/desire is to work consulting, again, a tier 2/boutique would be great. If this is intended as simply a stepping stone, or, worse, a way to get recognition from your peers, then this isn't so great.

I will tell you one thing: If your reasons for joining are money and/or prestige (i.e. just being noticed by others), you won't be happy.

If your reasons are to advance your career, advance yourself (i.e. learning and development), or because you really enjoy working, then this would be worth it.

All depends on your values!

Hey there,

That is a classic 'it depends' answer and I believe Ian's answer is spot on here.

If I would add something it is my personal perspective. I believe if you are aiming for T2, you should also consider alternatives with a proper development trajectory such as you would find in tech. Payment in many geographies is equal or the pay progression at least catches up quickly, lifestyle will be better, brand names are good, exit opportunities as well.

If you are still interested in consulting, you can make the switch to MBB after 2-3 years as an experienced hire.

Cheers,

Florian

Let us know what your long-term goals are. If you want to become a partner and do consulting for life, doesnt really matter where you do it as long as you are happy.

If you want to do corporate in a couple of years, have some cozy mid-management job, MBB might be the way to go given the exit opps etc. If you want to improve people skills, working style etc, consulting is always good.

Let us know and we can certainly give you more tailored opinions.

Hi there,

You can totally be satisfied and happy with a Tier 2 / boutique job if that meets your long-term goals. So the answer is personal and related to what you really want to do in the future.

In terms of exits, they will be more limited. If you want to go to a top PE fund (which is tough even from MBB), it will definitely be more challenging from a Tier 2.

On the other hand, if you join a Tier 2, you can apply to MBB again after 2 years/ an MBA, so that path is not per se precluded.

Best,

Francesco

Consulting is worth it not because you work in MBB or BIG or somewhere else, but because you enjoy structured thinking, problem solving, storytelling, relationship building. You can do these as a Strategy or Operations or Technology consultant.

I have not worked at MBB but life has turned out just fine- at par or better than most people in my network who started their careers in MBB. If you find the right FIT, focus on giving your best and making a positive impact where ever you go, you will be fine. Obvsiouly for all this to happen, you must genuinly want to be in "consulting".

Hi, Florian!

That's a really personal question...

It seems to me that you have to be driven by what you are looking for in a consulting position. First of all, be honest with yourself and determine whether you need consulting in general.

As a person who had been in consulting for so many years, I can say with absolute certainty that your "attempt" in this area will cost you an enormous amount of time and effort. So think twice and be sure about it:)

If you think that at the moment you lack some essential skills required by the Big Three, then the option could be to work for a couple of years in Tier 2/boutique or make a try at Deloitte, ATK, Strategy&, Accenture and after acquiring more experience and competence to proceed to MBB.

Anyway, I wish you good luck!

Cheers, 

GB

Yes if it is in the field you want to be in and doing the kind of work you are interested in as you build expertise and connections. No if you are looking for prestigious exit opportunities into other fields and well known companies because there is limited brand value/prestige outside of those that know you.

Do not go into consulting outside of MBB to go into a different industry afterwards. Highly unlikely to work out.

Udayan

This is probably a more personal questions than one anyone else can tell you what to think. A lot of great answers from other coaches so far, but ultimately many will say yes, and others will say no. I would recommend you approach it more from a perspective of why you want to be a consultant, as the work is similar than you think and plenty of lateral moves that can happen.