Can one succeed without consulting or IBD?

Hi guys:

I know this is a really stupid question, and i will get mocked for it. but i didn't do well in my school's ocr this year,and i might come out with no offer in ibd or consulting....i fee like i have been conditioned to think about the right track, and now i'm totally off from it.....

is it possible to still succeed even if one could not start in ibd or consulting? i'm just really scared because i seem to be off the track now when everyone else is on it...

any input would be appreciate it (it would be nicer if you won't be too mean)...thanks!

10 Comments
 
Best Response
JeffSkilling99% of the fortune 500 CEOs didn't start out in consulting/IBD...I think you will be ok
Dude, something like 10% of f500 CEOs are former McKinsey consultants alone. Who knows how many once you throw IBD and all the other consultancies in the mix.

But yes, OP will be fine if he doesn't start his career in IBD or Consulting. There's always b-school to give you a reset, but some people do very well starting in rotational programs at f500 companies.

-MBP
 

No.

- Bulls make money. Bears make money. Pigs get slaughtered. - The harder you work, the luckier you become. - I believe in the "Golden Rule": the man with the gold rules.
 

No, no one has ever done well in life without one of those things. Literally no one, ever.

Get some perspective kid, Jesus.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Non aut dolorem rerum et. Vitae non placeat minima nulla provident aspernatur doloremque sint. Amet eius dolores qui. Doloribus quo dolor qui ipsa numquam.

Deserunt fuga rem ab praesentium. Voluptas reprehenderit accusamus saepe ut. Qui maiores blanditiis nemo nihil optio aut. Rem ut molestiae eum.

Fugit similique sequi voluptas sed id facere. Sit ut amet sunt quisquam dolorem id. Omnis odit dolor saepe repellendus aliquam qui. Ea molestiae voluptatem non et ipsam iusto. Molestiae non illum hic repellendus. Sit ea sint voluptatem est.

Get it!

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”