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McKinsey Ba to EM direct promotion

BCG McKinsey and Bain
New answer on Oct 17, 2023
7 Answers
4.1 k Views
Anonymous A asked on Mar 03, 2020

I've read that top performers can be promoted from BA to EM after 3 years. How rare is this and what happens if you don't get promoted? Can you be promoted to Associate instead if you're good but not yet EM material?

Say you get a firm sponsored MBA after 3 years as a BA because you didn't make EM...do you come back as an Associate at the same level as someone who was only a BA for two years before getting an MBA?

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Anonymous replied on Apr 30, 2020

Hi A,

this is very rare. I have a couple of friends who did it, but it was extremely favourable market environment with 20% y-o-y growth

Good luck,

a

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 04, 2020
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Depends on the geography you are in, in Europe would be difficult.

Normally, you would do 2 years as a BA, and then, after an MBA, come back as an associate. In your 1st year as a returning associate you would start acting as a EM, but without being one officially -this is the figure of the JEM, Junior EM-. THen, after a few months acting as such, you are officially promoted to EM (the main change here is in the bonus, not even in the base salary vs. Associate)

For people who are not returning from MBAs and have been BAs in the past, it takes some more time to start acting as JEMs.

Hope it helps.

Cheers,

Clara

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Sidi
Expert
replied on Mar 03, 2020
McKinsey Senior EM & BCG Consultant | Interviewer at McK & BCG for 7 years | Coached 350+ candidates secure MBB offers

Hi!

Yes it happens sometimes. Typically for distinctive performance in fast growing (emerging) geographies, where McK offices face the challenge of developing leaders at the required pace.

Cheers, Sidi

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Anonymous replied on May 05, 2020

Hi there,

This could happen but it is defintely a rare case that doesn't happen very often.

BA to Associate is the normal route, BA--> Asscociate --> EM is what usually happens.

Some people would chooose to have MBA in between but not all. When you come back from MBA, you could be at the same associate level or maybe 1 year later depending on how long the school is and how long a break you take, but all in all, given the MBA is sponsored, still a good deal in my view.

Best,

Emily

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7
Nathaniel
Expert
replied on Mar 04, 2020
McKinsey | BCG | CERN| University of Cambridge

Hello there,

This indeed happens but quite rare, as you need to be a distinctive performer, and in a highly growing office / regions.

There's an option after 2 years as a BA, either go to MBA, work outside in industry, or continue working as BA for the 3rd year.

Typically, you'll great promoted soon if you are continuing as a BA. If you returned from MBA, you'll be at Associate level.

In terms of level, coming back, you'll be at a different level then the 2-yr BA, at least in some region, where they would be called Sr. BA / Jr. Associate instead.

Hope it helps.

Kind regards,
Nathan

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Udayan
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Mar 03, 2020
Top rated Case & PEI coach/Multiple real offers/McKinsey EM in New York /6 years McKinsey recruiting experience

BA to EM does happen - if you get a distinctive ranking it is very likely that you make EM after 2 to 3 years. BAs and Associates do the same type of work at the end of the day so they did not see a reason to wait. Some of the younger partners at McK have made partner before 30 because of this policy

Yes you can be promoted to Associate as per normal course as well that is not an issue

You do NOT need an MBA to progress in McKinsey anymore. But if you do get an MBA you come back either at the same level you left (if you were an EM for example) or you come back as a Senior Associate if you were a BA

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Benjamin
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Oct 17, 2023
Ex-BCG Principal | 8+ years consulting experience in SEA | BCG top interviewer & top performer

Hi,

Yes it happens in McK. I will offer abit more nuance on ambition to make this direct promotion, based on my own experience going through the ranks

  • Consultant (pre-Manager role in BCG) role was a hugely enjoyable time and I would definitely repeat it if I could
  • Part of being a good leader is being able to empathize, and also draw on a wide array of experience that enhances you as a leader and/or gives you the knowledge/experience to approach a problem
  • Direct promotions are definitely impressive, but I find that the years of going through the ranks definitely gave me experience that I was able to leverage as a Manager eventually
  • Being able to say “I know how you feel, I've been through this” really makes a big difference sometimes :)

Just some food for thought, hope this helps to clarify!

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