Why move from consulting to IB?

Hi! I’ve seen a few people make that move, usually to get closer to the financial side of deals and build more technical skills. It really depends on your long-term goals, but for some, it’s a stepping stone into roles like private equity.

There are already some great discussions in the forum. I’d recommend checking these out:

🔗 Consulting to IB – early career pivot
🔗 Private Equity vs. Consulting

Rita

That's a valid question. People typically make that move because they want to shift from strategic advisory to actual deal execution. They're looking to master the deep financial mechanics of M&A and, frankly, increase their earning potential significantly.

While the lifestyle in investment banking is much more demanding than consulting, many find it worthwhile because it provides specialized transaction experience and a more direct pathway into private equity and other high-level finance roles.

Pretty much what Rita and Natalie already said:

Common reasons for moving from consulting to IB include:

• Deeper financial exposure and deal execution experience
• Faster learning curve and steeper responsibility early on
• Interest in transaction-driven work vs. broader strategy

For many, the move is worth it if you're aiming for roles in PE, corp dev, or want to build strong technical skills. That said, IB hours can be more intense, and the culture shift is real. It totally depends on your long-term goals.

Hey!

Many professionals move from consulting to investment banking to gain deeper exposure to financial transactions, capital markets, and deal execution, which consulting often touches on only indirectly. The move can be worthwhile if you are interested in building technical finance skills, working on high-profile mergers and acquisitions, or pursuing a long-term career in finance. 

While consulting provides strong problem-solving, client management, and strategic thinking skills, banking offers hands-on experience with financial modeling, valuations, and structuring deals, making the transition valuable for those seeking to pivot into a more transaction-focused career.

Hey!

Professionals often transition from consulting to investment banking to gain direct experience with financial transactions and hands-on exposure to deal execution, valuation, and financial modeling. Consulting builds strong analytical, problem-solving, and client-facing skills, but IB allows you to see the immediate impact of deals and develop deep technical expertise in corporate finance and capital markets. For those motivated by fast-paced environments and tangible results, the move can be very rewarding, though it typically involves longer hours and a steeper learning curve compared to consulting.