Consulting vs IB dilemma

So,

I am in this dilemma which many people have had and numerous discussions have been posted about. (consulting vs Investment Banking)

But, now this is no longer theoretical as I am deep in the process with a number of firms and the firms that have people and the environment that I feel I would truly enjoy working in are mainly in consulting or a few EB IB
 

I also enjoy the work that I do during case prep and in consulting clubs which leads me to believe that I would likely  thoroughly  enjoy the work as a consultant out of undergrad. 
 

That being said, right now my goal is to work in PE after the 2 years in consulting or IB. But, I know that this is a much more linear process from IB. But I know that MBB and some of the Tier 2 consulting firms do have exits into UMM/MM and even a few MF. LinkedIn searches and talks with people at these firms have confirmed this. But, I don’t know if this was a chance thing or something that is fairly possible for any consultant at these firms.
 

I may also want to work in another industry like Tech which I know consulting leaves open, so this makes me more inclined to chose it will all the other considerations. 
 

So I guess my main question is, would it be ill advised if I chose consulting over IB at a BB or EB? Particularly with my interest in Private Equity?

2 Comments
 

Et atque vel sit numquam quisquam cupiditate. Vel culpa non molestiae iure.

Recusandae nemo quia sit id voluptatem architecto aut. Aperiam labore enim vitae voluptas ullam. Illum odio a dolores ut quam sequi necessitatibus. Nam unde soluta fuga aut.

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 (355) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”