Jan 27, 2026

BB to MBB lateral

Around 8 months into a BB after lateraling but realising I’m not a fan - is it crazy to try and lateral to MBB?

737 WSO Academy Consulting Session Reviews: 4.85/5

Royal Holloway, University of London

Class of '26 Oct 2026 Cohort

4.85/5

Management Consulting Career Roadmap (optional)

“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it. André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me. One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it. A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage. The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing. Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting. I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans. Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”

Class of '27 Apr 2026 Cohort

4.78/5

Management Consulting Mock Interview

“Ashley’s industry expertise and depth of knowledge in product strategy are immediately clear. In every session, she breaks down complex management frameworks into easily digestible insights. Her communication style is direct, clear, and empathetic. Rather than giving vague or generic career advice, she provides highly actionable takeaways—including specific templates for stakeholder communications, prioritization frameworks, and real-world examples from her own leadership background that I was able to implement directly into my team's workflow the very next day. Furthermore, her kind, patient, and approachable demeanor made it extremely comfortable to discuss tough workplace scenarios and honest skill gaps without fear of judgment.”

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6 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

8mo

Based on the most helpful WSO content, lateraling from a BB to MBB is not unheard of, but it does come with challenges. Here are some key considerations:

Timing and Experience: At 8 months into your BB role, you may not have accumulated enough experience to make a strong case for a lateral move to MBB. Consulting firms like MBB typically value structured problem-solving skills, client interaction experience, and a demonstrated ability to handle strategic projects. If your current role doesn't align with these, it might be harder to transition.
Networking: A strong network is crucial. Reach out to current MBB consultants or alumni from your school who have made similar transitions. They can provide insights into the process and potentially refer you.
Skill Alignment: Highlight transferable skills from your BB experience, such as financial modeling, analytical rigor, and client-facing work. Tailor your story to show how these skills are relevant to consulting.
Recruitment Cycles: MBB firms often have structured recruitment cycles. Research their timelines and prepare accordingly. You may need to wait for the next cycle to apply.
MBA Consideration: If the lateral move proves challenging, pursuing an MBA at a top program could be a strategic way to pivot into MBB. Many consultants enter MBB post-MBA.
Challenges: Be prepared to potentially start at a lower level (e.g., as an Associate) and rebuild your seniority. This is common for lateral hires.

If you're serious about the move, start networking, refining your story, and preparing for case interviews. MBB values candidates with a clear narrative and strong problem-solving abilities.

Sources: Unhappy at MBB, Transitioning from Tech Sales to IB, Lateral hire from another consulting firm to MBB, Q&A: MBB, BB S&T+IB, Top MBA, US/Global, Q&A: MBB, BB S&T+IB, Top MBA, US/Global

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I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

prakhargoel

8mo

People do move from BB to MBB, so it’s not insane but it will be competitive and you’ll basically be re‑running a full MBB recruiting process.

I made this jump too and one thing that was really helpful for me alongside casebooks and live partners was using a tool called Minerva (ask-minerva. com) when I didn't have someone to case with.

You actually talk through cases out loud while it plays the interviewer. You can choose the case type (profitability, market entry etc) and it pushes you on structuring, reading charts, doing the math, and answering follow‑ups. At the end it breaks down what you did well vs. what was off across a few dimensions and tracks your sessions over time so you can see patterns.

You still 100% need real partners (your firm’s alumni at MBB, uni consulting clubs, LinkedIn, this forum), but when you can’t line someone up, having something structured like that has been useful for keeping my casing sharp.

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VP in Consulting

8mo

Most Helpful

Least obvious product shill

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - Vice PresidentCertified Consulting Pro

Analyst 1 in Consulting

8mo

Anyone who truly went through the process knows you can’t just case with a bot and you need live reps. You’re going to get generic / bad feedback from a bot. Cases and banking techs are super different in how you do and you cannot really do them by yourself

This is bad advice - ask some friends to case you who’ve gone through the process

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Divestment

Analyst 1 in IB-M&A

8mo

made the jump from internship and know people who did it full time, happy to answer any questions.

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Consideration in M&A

Analyst 1 in Consulting

8mo

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BB to MBB lateral

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