For many many reasons, MBB does not encourage this move from back to front office. As a result there is no explicit guide that you can follow. So does that mean it can’t happen? No but it requires a lot of patience and effort. A few things can work

1. Get staffed on client projects and deliver high quality work every single time 

2. take on the responsibilities of a consultant even though you’re not one currently. If you do this part well, you will always be the first choice to be staffed on a client project when they need someone from your team

3. build relationships with the partners and senior partners on your engagements 

4. after 1-2 years of working with them be honest about what you’d like and see if they would be willing to fight for you to move over 

5. only if they truly agree do you have a real shot at making the move. 
 

all the best to you,

Udayan 

Hi!

Yes, it's possible.

I've seen it happen actually with two people who were mid-office (research analysts) moving on to integrative consulting, one of which is now EM, the other Assoc. 

It's not easy. And they also don't encourage these sorts of moves. If anything, they're close to discouraging it. 

Practically, you need:

• have good rating and generally to be seen as being able to do the consultant role
• have contacts who would be supportive of you making this transition
• get your office leadership to support this move
• get one specific Partner to take you on their project as a consultant (both of the people I know who made this transition did 2-3 projects before they ‘officially’ changed roles)

It all starts with you having an open discussion with the office leadership and expressing your interest and curiosity in trying out the consultant position. 

But do persevere. Feel free to reach out and happy to also share what these people did that works for them. 

Good luck!
Cristian

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Hi there,

I would say you should definitely wait for that promotion in April before you make any changes - that is just a good thing to have regardless of your next steps.

Secondly, you need to answer for yourself why you would even want to be a strategy consultant (again). You've worked in that role before, then decided to change that 1.5 years ago and now you are considering reversing that change. If you discovered that the consultant/project manager role is more in line with what you envision for yourself in the midterm, then you should definitely take the effort to transition - even if that means switching firms again.

If you do transition within the firm, it's always good to have a sponsor for your request (e.g. a partner who wants to have you on their team) before you bring it up officially with HR or your manager.

Best of luck

Hi,

I've seen this shift before, but like others have mentioned, it is not common.

I think you need 2 things:

1. Strong story on why you want to make the shift and why you'd be good for it
2. Influential sponsor - the more clout the better

Both of these cover concerns #1 and #2 to varying degrees/angles. Ultimately, the partners are the ones that have the business say and their POV matters the most. 

Also - don't neglect casing. I know BCG data scientists that have tried to make the switch and had to go through the case interviews.

All the best!

First you need the promotion - be qualified as a strong performer.

Then talk to your supervisor.

Then you have to options. They either help you, or you look for another MBB that will accept the move.