Evaluating the Impact of 2-3 Years at MBB on Career Opportunities

Hi,

Great question. Sharing my perspective having considered exits at various stages. 

I would say it all depends on what your exit goals / outcomes are.

I would characterize opportunities based on 2 axes → Industry & Seniority/Role. Based on my observations

• the earlier you exit, the easier it is to get into totally different roles across industries, because you are still seen as junior enough to ‘learn the ropes’
• the later you exit, the harder it becomes to find a matching role/seniority in industry/corporate at the same payscale
  • This is partly due to the bigger increase in pay in consulting, but also a function of natural org structure in most companies

Here's some broad generalizations on common exit opportunities vis-a-vis seniority

• Corporate strategy
  • Consultant (pre-Manager): more roles available given a typical ‘pyramid’ type structure at corporates as well
  • Manager/Principal: You will typically get matched in terms of seniority, but again the open roles will be less
• Tech
  • Consultant (pre-Manager): I have seen people switch to PM role, definitely seems alot more feasible
  • Manager/Principal: Abit harder to try something different, quite often they end up going into Biz Ops or Strat within Tech
• Startups
  • This is the one field where leaving as a Manager/Principal may not necessarily add alot of value, especially if you want to start something of yourself
  • While I do agree that you do have a useful skillset as a Manager/Pr, many great startups did not need/weren't started by ex-consultants, and I do think its a different ball game
• PE
  • Consultant (pre-Manager): Chance of joining the investment/deal team
  • Manager/Principal: They will typically only consider you for ops/value creation

I think manager experience is extremely useful for big corporate, it really teaches you a set of skills that you don't fully get exposed to as a consultant, which is very useful for navigating and excelling in middle/senior mgmt. 

Happy to have a chat if helpful - just drop me a dm.

Hi!

I feel you. I think many people who are in MBB do. 

But don't stick around based on what other people imagine is good for you. 

Most likely the reason why you're struggling to make a choice is because you don't have clarity over where you'd want to be over the mid and long term. 

That's the first thing that I'd work on. 

Once that becomes clearer, then work backwards to see the sort of steps/decisions that bring you either closer or further away from that vision. 

If you do realise, for instance, that you would want to work in corporate roles, that ideally you'd make this as a lateral move directly at C level, then sticking around for 2-3 years at MBB might help. Once that clicks in your head, i.e., your actions and purpose get aligned, you are then also more likely to perform better and enjoy it more. 

If you realise something else, then it's definitely a good enough reason to adjust. 

Good luck!
Cristian

———————————————

Practicing for interviews? Check out my latest case based on a first-round MBB interview >>> CodeWave  

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your situation. I understand that experiencing burnout can be challenging, and it's important to carefully consider your options moving forward. As a seasoned strategy consultant with experience at MBB, I can provide some insights based on my own experiences and observations.

Extending your tenure at MBB can indeed have a positive impact on your career prospects. MBB is widely recognized as a prestigious and highly regarded firm in the consulting industry. The skills, knowledge, and network you have developed during your time at MBB are valuable assets that can enhance your resume and overall profile.

By staying at MBB for an additional 2-3 years, you have the opportunity to take on more challenging projects, work with high-profile clients, and further develop your expertise in specific industries or functional areas. This can deepen your skill set and make you a more competitive candidate for future career opportunities, whether it's within consulting or in other industries.

Moreover, the MBB brand carries weight and can open doors to exciting opportunities. Many employers, including top-tier companies and prestigious business schools, highly value MBB experience. It can serve as a strong differentiator and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

That being said, it's important to prioritize your well-being and consider the impact of burnout on your overall health and happiness. If you feel that extending your tenure at MBB would exacerbate your burnout or prevent you from pursuing other interests or opportunities, it may be worth exploring alternative paths.

Ultimately, the decision to extend your tenure at MBB should be based on a careful evaluation of your personal and professional goals, as well as your overall well-being. I recommend discussing your situation with mentors, trusted colleagues, or career coaches who can provide personalized guidance based on your specific circumstances.

I hope this perspective helps you in weighing your decision. If you have any further questions or need additional support, feel free to reach out. Best of luck with your career journey!

Hi there,

Personally, I left after under 2 years. And I've never looked back. Plenty of roles offered to me, contracting work, etc.

But that's me.

If you are done, you're done. Do what you need to do. If you're burned out and can't take a break, it might be time to go.

But if you'd look back and regret it, well, that's another topic.

I'd recommend speaking with non-MBA friends to get a wider perspective. Speak to people who have already left consulting and understand their journey. Hire a case coach/career coach for a session or half session to better understand the pros and cons.

This is a big decision and should be really thoroughly discussed and considered.

There are pros + cons for both choices…

Hi,

I agree overall with the previous comment. I would say that staying in consulting until you reach manager level will add a lot of value to your personal experience/skill set as well as to your post-consulting opportunities. However, it is also a stressful position, no doubt.

If you are already feeling burnt out then you should listen to your mind/body. Health and well-being are the most important aspects in life and should not be jeopardized for a working career. Plus you would not be performing at the required level in consulting anyway if you were struggling with burnout.

So without knowing your exact situation obviously, I would recommend to identify for yourself what is mainly causing the burnout (e.g. amount of working hours, feeling overwhelmed by the tasks, constantly having to be on standby, a lot of work on short notice). Determine which of these things you can control vs what is beyond your control and just part of the job (e.g. are you experiencing this essentially on every assignment or just on select projects?).

If you feel like your significant stressors are pretty much an inherent part of the consulting job which you can't easily switch off, thinking about new opportunities outside of consulting would be a smart move.

You've already worked at MBB for two years which is pretty solid. You don't have to worry about finding another job that you will enjoy.

Best of luck

The earlier you leave, the easy it is to redirect your career and specialize in any area you want.

The later you leave, the more likely it is that you start specializing in an industry, or even become a consultant for life.

Having said this, my recommendation is that you should only leave when you have the chance to manage a team. Moving from the technical / analyst role to a managerial role takes time and is a bit step, and not everyone makes it. It is easier and much faster to do it in consulting than in corporate. Sure, sometimes you don't make it as well in consulting, but nevertheless you are improving your chances.

In short, I would leave for a managerial role, otherwise would stay until I get a managerial role and then leave.

Hi there,

Q: I'm seeking your perspectives on whether extending my tenure at MBB would truly make a noticeable difference to my career prospects. 

For some options (eg corporate strategy) indeed the manager level (which I believe is the level you might get to in 2-3 years) is usually the sweet spot in terms of exit potential. You have validation in terms of leading teams and are not too expensive as a principal would be.

On the other end, there are multiple reasons why a different moment could also make sense (Benjamin provided a great sum up). Some consultants leave for situations unrelated to the best exit (eg family), others might be close to promotion and find a golden opportunity.

If you are already considering exits, there is nothing wrong with looking for options now. If you don't find attractive opportunities and are fine staying in consulting a bit longer despite the burnout, you can then wait for the next promotion.

Good luck!

Francesco

Hi there,

There is no direct yes or no answer here. Answer will depend on:

• Target positions / roles after MBB
• How you build your network while still on MBB
• How you specialize in an industry or function at MBB
• Your target geography and company type

Also take into account that none has a crystal ball here so think where you want to go, collect some points of view and trust your instincts here.

Best,

Alberto

—

Check out my latest case based on a real MBB interview: Sierra Springs

More than 2-3 years, what counts is getting promoted to the next role. For most people, leaving at the equivalent of engagement manager provides the broadest set of career options once they leave.

There is no point staying in a very demanding job like consulting if your heart is not in it. It will reflect in your performance and your happiness levels.

Best,

Udayan

Hi,

This question is complicated. If you can stay to manager lever without putting your mental health in danger, it worth it. If you can't avoid any damages, just choose another path for success.

Cheers