Need opinion regarding career choice (Startup/Tech or Boutique Firm)

Bain BCG Mck RolandBerger
New answer on Feb 21, 2021
9 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Jan 26, 2021

Hi!

I want to ask some opinion regarding the experts in here. I worked as a financial due diligence advisor in Big4 until last year. Due to some circumstances, I already resigned but I am planning to shift my career into consulting (I aiming for 2nd tier right now, but if I can join MBB it would be great). I graduated in 2019 from a non-target school, but I can say I have great academic performance. Right now I am planning to go switch my career, and I had several offers right now:

1) Corporate Strategy in startup companies (no brand names here, but seems like the learning is interesting)

2) Growth operations in startup (big brand names in a startup)

3) Consultant in the boutique (one of the leaders for local management consulting firms in my country) consulting.

4) Intern in MBB again (before I worked in Big4, I was an intern in there for like 4months, contract-based)

Which one that you guys preferred that help me to enter consulting? I am thinking to apply & start networking in Jul/Aug (because in my country the registration already closed, and it's really hard to join directly from the website, etc, so I need some time to do some networking regarding the referral)

Thank you in advance!

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Clara
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 26, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

In a nutshell, the option that is the clear winner here is interning with MBB. No doubts.

Among the rest, you should choose according to other factors, more detailed:

  • Scope of work
  • Exposure
  • Resposability
  • etc.

This is what will make a difference once you put it into a CV, not so much the division, since they are pretty "similar" otherwise in terms of jumping to consulting

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Gaurav
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 26, 2021
#1 MBB Coach(Placed 750+ in MBBs & 1250+ in Tier2)| The Only 360 coach(Ex-McKinsey + Certified Coach + Active recruiter)

Hi there,

an internship at MBB is the best to enter consulting! If not this,if you don't want to be an intern again, then consultant in the boutique.

But at the end it still depends on what your preferences are at the moment and for the future! MBB definitely gives you more exit options.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

GB

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Ken
Expert
replied on Jan 27, 2021
Ex-McKinsey final round interviewer | Executive Coach

I agree with the other coaches. Although your question is confusing, you should always opt for the thing that you want to be doing. An MBB internship sounds like the obvious but if not then a well-known boutique consultancy is also a great start too! Beyond consulting roles, the trade off is always ensuring you are taking on a meaningful enough role (i.e., not a coffee boy/girl at Goldman Sachs) AND ideally somewhere that is known to be selective for talent. Good luck!

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 27, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

Your post confuses me greatly...at one point you say you have 4 offers. But then you also say you're applying?

Regardless, interning at MBB is far and beyond the best choice as it would likely lead to a full-time offer.

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Denis
Expert
replied on Jan 27, 2021
Goldman Sachs Investment Banker NYC | Ex-Bain 5 yrs| MBA Chicago Booth | Passed > 13 MBB > 20 IB interviews

1) Corporate Strategy in startup companies (no brand names here, but seems like the learning is interesting)

I would not do it - I think working in a startup as a founder is one thing, but as a regular employee is totally different. Rather go for a big established corporate with outstanding people in their Corporate Development / Strategy department. Payment is likely bad and too risky.

2) Growth operations in startup (big brand names in a startup)

Again, if you intend to go for MBB or other things, consider exit options here. What if things go wrong, what could you do after 5 years of work at this particular firm? Still sounds too risky and not worth it if you are not the founder or have some stake in the company.

3) Consultant in the boutique (one of the leaders for local management consulting firms in my country) consulting.

Depends on your next steps, I d go for that as a back-up option in case MBB does not work out. Live in a boutique is not as linear, but can be awesome! Since it is a boutique though, more due diligence (do you like the ppl and do the ppl like you) is required.

4) Intern in MBB again (before I worked in Big4, I was an intern in there for like 4months, contract-based)

Absolutely. Best bang for your buck. Only upsides. With another MBB internship you open doors into other attractive firms (e.g. non-MBB firms). Best case you receive the full-time offer and start in MBB.

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Vlad
Expert
replied on Jan 26, 2021
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Let me sort it:

1) Definitely MBB internship is the most preferable. Did you get an offer after the previous internship? Or was it just the student support on the project? In the 2nd case, it can't be considered as an internship

2) Consultant in the boutique

3) Growth operations in a startup, Corporate Strategy in startup companies - startup experience is less relevant for consulting

Best

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Antonello
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 27, 2021
McKinsey | NASA | top 10 FT MBA professor for consulting interviews | 6+ years of coaching

Hi,

If your ultimate goal is MBB, I'd definitely intern there. Is this your career objective?

Hope this helps.

Best,

Antonello

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Raj
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Feb 21, 2021
FREE 15MIN CONSULTATION | #1 Strategy& / OW coach | >70 5* reviews |90% offers ⇨ prep-success.super.site | MENA, DE, UK

The MBB internship would give you a good shot to all the other options in the future. The inverse wouldn't hold as true. You can always change your mind after the internship and take a different path if you decide MBB isn't for you, but you will benefit from the optionality

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jan 31, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Totally agree with Clara.

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Clara gave the best answer

Clara

Content Creator
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut
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