Too old to bother about MBB? I am 37 today pursuing a Part time MBA with interviews at MBB

The answer to your question ultimately depends on your end goal. 

MBB helps if your end goal is the following

• Bulding your strategic toolkit to be able to leverage that for a more senior role
• To pivot to a different role that values MBB experience
• To change careers and try a new industry

MBB is unhelpful in the following instances

• If you want to continue down the path of Supply Chain - you already have the expertize here, MBB will not add any additional value. If anything you will have slowed down your growth trajectory
• You want to go into a career where MBB skills aren't explicitly valued (Banking, Digital Martketing, Entrepreneurship)
• You are bored and looking for a change - MBB is way too demanding for this

In terms of age - I have mentioned in the past that my mentor when I was at McKinsey started his career at 38 and quickly rose up the ranks. However he was also single and very career focused. There are a few things to keep in mind

• Are you genuinely willing to sacrifice your personal life at this point? I cannot begin to emphasize the depth of this sacrifice - you will be working 12-15 hour days EVERY day and you will be traveling post covid EVERY week. This is not a simple commitment. Everyone's situation is different make sure you are genuinely okay with this commitment
• There is a genuine toll on your health working these hours and sitting down all day, traveling, eating out all the time etc. You can control some of it but not all at the same time
• Do you have the energy and focus this job will demand? It is a lot of learning and constantly being challenged. Excellent if that is your goal and not so good if you are looking for a slower pace

All the best with your decision, you are in a great place right now! Feel free to reach out with any questions

Best,

Udayan

Hi there,

It depends on your goals. Where do you see yourself in 5-10 years?

• If you are looking for a career in Amazon and you have a clear promotion path in front of you --> Sticking to Amazon makes sense
• If you want to change industry, build your own company, aim to positions that you cannot reach now or that you want to reach faster for which consulting helps --> ​ MBB make sense

In terms of the age, it is definitely possible (although requiring), I helped a few people older than you to join MBB.

Please feel free to PM me for further questions.

Best,
Francesco

Hi there,

I will simplify the problem for you. Obviously, if you have a clear path of growth in Amazon and that's something that gets you up in the morning, you don't need to go to MBB.  You are correct, you likely "won't come out on top." 

But maybe you want to do consulting anyways!  You will learn a great deal of new skills and knowledge.  And open yourself up to new opportunities that you don't realize are out there.  Or maybe it's just something you always wanted to do!

However, if there isn't a compelling path for you at Amazon, you should be thinking down the road and MBB can definitely help you.  Again, it will expose you to areas you didn't know existed and it will give you new knowledge and skills to succeed there.

Finally, something to keep in mind: supply chain in Amazon is extremely respectable.  That can also help you go far.

Best,

Allen

Hi there,

Getting into an MBB would definitely enable you acquire some valuable business skills. It will also expose you to numerous clients and industries. I feel like you will need to make a choice between the following:

1. Staying in your comfort zone, being recognized as expert in the field, getting into Senior positions, managing teams and working regular hours, etc.
2. Starting a new career, acquiring new skills & competing with colleagues who are much younger than you, working long hours, etc.

I think it all depends on your mid & long-term career plans (5-10 years). Staying in Amazon would help you get a niche expertise in Supply Chain, and going for MBB would expose you to how business is done in the top management and would prepare you for leadership roles in the future.

This is not an easy decision to make, but ultimately you will have to take many elements into consideration (intensity of work, seniority of the position, expertise, etc.)

Happy to discuss this further if needed.

All the best,

Mehdi

You're never too old! (If it's the path you want)

It really depends on your career trajectory. 

I knew plenty of people in their mid-30s during the MBA and they went on to MBB.

Dear A,

It depends on your goals and your career vision. Ask yourself honestly where do you want to see yourself in 5 years, and how you experience and skills which you gained in consulting will help you in that? Does it fit to your vision?

In terms of age, it's not old, but you have twice about your possible intensity, position, work-life balance. 

Best,

André