Hi,

Congrats on the offer! Did you apply to the solution delivery specialist role, or was given the offer for the role despite applying to a generalist position?

The pros and cons of the role really depends on what type of work you like to do. As a solution delivery specialist, you will be brought in after the diagnostic phase of a big transformation and focus your time and energy on helping your clients through the implementation of the solution proposed by the previous McKinsey team. So the implications are:

- In general, an easier and more predictable pace of work

- You work with lower level clients, who actually do the day-to-day, but you get to enjoy a greater sense of camaraderie over a longer period of time. In the long term, the stronger bonds you build with your client may help your network more than a 3-week acquaintance with the CEO.

- You get to see the impact of your work, not just handing over a deck and leaving.

- You may specialize on specific solutions quite quickly. These solutions are functionally aligned (e.g. pricing software), industry aligned, or something designed for a function in an industry. Either you love becoming an expert quickly or you hate the pressure to specialize.

- In terms of exit opportunities, you will have very concrete operational and transformations experience, which is very valuable in the corporate world. If your goal is P&L responsibility or a transformation leader at a client company, being a solution delivery specialist may have an unique advantage

- Yes the pay is lower. And the progression ladder is narrower. You may become a solutions leader but it is more difficult to get to partnership on this path.

So whether this is a good role for you or not depends on whether you like what I listed so far. I'd say, unless there is something else you are super pumped about, this is not a bad opportunity to check out for 1-2 years. If you don't like it, the experience would be useful to leverage in most corporate roles.