MBB (Mck Research Analyst, BCG Knowledge Analyst, Bain Research) Career/Exit Opportunities

Hi everyone, I would like to ask would any of you happen to know about the exit opportunities for MBB Research related positions? (e.g. Mck Research Analyst, BCG Knowledge Analyst, Bain Research)

I do acknowledge it is a consulting role, however does it open doors for finance research roles such as sell side and buyside Equity Research roles, and credit rating?

How is it for MBA applications?

Thanks for reading and I hope someone will be willing to provide an answer!

 
Best Response

The knowledge analyst roles tend to be specialised into specific industries (think Retail, Energy) or functions (think Pricing, Strategy). So your exit opportunities will be very linked to which topics you focus on.

If your focus is finance research roles, I'd assume that the corporate development practice area (or something similar) would place the best, as well as potentially some of the industry verticals (e.g., consumer knowledge analyst --> consumer sell-side analyst).

I'm not sure explicitly about the MBA placement, but I'd imagine you can leverage some of the same resources / support (even if not formally) that the consulting staff uses. I bet it helps to navigate the process when surrounded by dozens of people applying to the top schools and working through a company that places many into top tier MBAs every year.

 

A job position being "good" or "bad" is in comparison to something else. So the question becomes, what are your other offers? Are you in school or already in a position?

In general these are seen as pretty well-regarded positions. Obviously not client-facing like a generalist would be, but would probably beat most other positions.

Give us some more details and we can fill in some gaps.

 

Thanks for the helpful replies!

The following is to clarify my situation: 1) I am currently working in a fortune 500 Asset Management company with 2 years of experience (Since undergraduate) as a Middle Office/Risk Analyst. 2) I have received an offer from an MBB research analyst position in their Financial Institutions research department (Under Corporate Banking focus). 3) My goal is to someday work as an investment analyst, or finance research related job (equity research or credit rating) as it exposes you to the markets and analysis of an industry landscape, which I find interesting. Furthermore, I would like to go for an MBA to switch to an investment analyst role, and to work in the states (I am currently living in Asia). Thus, this knowledge analyst role does appeal to me compared to my current role.

After clarifying my situation I would like to ask the following questions: 1) As for the exit opportunities, after seeing pfitzy's reply, I assume it will be possible to jump into credit rating and equity research jobs that are related with a FI banking focus? How are the exit opportunities for other front office finance jobs? (e.g. Investment Analyst, M&A, IBD, corporate finance etc.) 2) Are MBB research analysts at a disadvantage in MBA applications compared to MBB consultants? Or is the MBB brand name itself still very impressive? 3) Given my current situation, is it a wiser choice for me to take up this new role, or to continue with my current job? (Taking into consideration of leaving finance, and wanting to get back in again into a front office role)

Thanks for reading and I hope someone will be willing to provide an answer!

 
buysellallthetime:

Thanks for the helpful replies!

The following is to clarify my situation:
1) I am currently working in a fortune 500 Asset Management company with 2 years of experience (Since undergraduate) as a Middle Office/Risk Analyst.
2) I have received an offer from an MBB research analyst position in their Financial Institutions research department (Under Corporate Banking focus).
3) My goal is to someday work as an investment analyst, or finance research related job (equity research or credit rating) as it exposes you to the markets and analysis of an industry landscape, which I find interesting. Furthermore, I would like to go for an MBA to switch to an investment analyst role, and to work in the states (I am currently living in Asia). Thus, this knowledge analyst role does appeal to me compared to my current role.

After clarifying my situation I would like to ask the following questions:
1) As for the exit opportunities, after seeing pfitzy's reply, I assume it will be possible to jump into credit rating and equity research jobs that are related with a FI banking focus? How are the exit opportunities for other front office finance jobs? (e.g. Investment Analyst, M&A, IBD, corporate finance etc.)
2) Are MBB research analysts at a disadvantage in MBA applications compared to MBB consultants? Or is the MBB brand name itself still very impressive?
3) Given my current situation, is it a wiser choice for me to take up this new role, or to continue with my current job? (Taking into consideration of leaving finance, and wanting to get back in again into a front office role)

Thanks for reading and I hope someone will be willing to provide an answer!

1) I would say yes, as you would get some pretty good industry knowledge. This is probably easier post-MBA though. You'll need to know valuation very well, though. I'm not sure either of your role choices really gives that to you but I'm not an expert.

2) You're currently "middle office" at a F500. You'd be "middle office" at the MBB too. I'd rather have the MBB brand name, esp as you will be able to draw connections (hopefully) to impactful client work

3) I'd recommend going with the MBB

On a side note, I worked with a specialized research/knowledge group at McK and they were quite impactful and helpful. They certainly added a lot of value to the work we did.

 

Thanks for the helpful replies!

The following is to clarify my situation: 1) I am currently working in a fortune 500 Asset Management company with 2 years of experience (Since undergraduate) as a Middle Office/Risk Analyst. 2) I have received an offer from an MBB research analyst position in their Financial Institutions research department (Under Corporate Banking focus). 3) My goal is to someday work as an investment analyst, or finance research related job (equity research or credit rating) as it exposes you to the markets and analysis of an industry landscape, which I find interesting. Furthermore, I would like to go for an MBA to switch to an investment analyst role, and to work in the states (I am currently living in Asia). Thus, this knowledge analyst role does appeal to me compared to my current role.

After clarifying my situation I would like to ask the following questions: 1) As for the exit opportunities, after seeing pfitzy's reply, I assume it will be possible to jump into credit rating and equity research jobs that are related with a FI banking focus? How are the exit opportunities for other front office finance jobs? (e.g. Investment Analyst, M&A, IBD, corporate finance etc.) 2) Are MBB research analysts at a disadvantage in MBA applications compared to MBB consultants? Or is the MBB brand name itself still very impressive? 3) Given my current situation, is it a wiser choice for me to take up this new role, or to continue with my current job? (Taking into consideration of leaving finance, and wanting to get back in again into a front office role)

Thanks for reading and I hope someone will be willing to provide an answer!

 

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