Buy-side Fixed Income vs. Tier2 Management Consulting

Hi guys, I am wavering between my current job and an entry-level Tier2 management consulting FT position in Asia.

The reason I got the consulting position is I did not really see myself go the way down becoming a credit research analyst/PM for life. I was kind of lucky to get into the buy-side right out of college but find it not necessarily a blessing especially you are in an asset class you don't really like.

If my ultimate goal is to go to private equity/ direct investment in corps, should I switch to consulting now? Or I can later go to MBA and go for MBB/ PE?

There is a huge pay cut of 60%...And I estimate if I need 3-4 years in consulting to catch up with what I am earning now.

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