Deciding between IB and MBB FT offers -- career advice needed.

I posted this about a week ago on the IB sub but wanted to get the consultants view as well. I’m deciding between two full-time offers and could use some outside perspective.

Last summer I interned at a respected bank, liked my team, and got a return offer. I was planning to go back, but I recently received a FT offer from MBB in a city I’d prefer to be in. Now I’m not sure which way to go.

A few points about me: I’m not very interested in private equity long-term. If I went the banking route, I might recruit for PE as a short-term step before moving into a corporate/strategic finance position. My real goal is to eventually work at a tech company, F500, or startup in a strategy/operations type role, but I’m still figuring that part out. Consulting seems more aligned with those interests, but I also feel like I put in a lot of effort to land banking in the first place.

Questions on my mind:
– If I decline the bank offer, does that burn bridges in a way that could come back later?
– For someone not set on investing, which experience would be most beneficial
– Curious what people here would choose in my spot.
– How likely is it that my consulting start date gets pushed back or I get laid off in first two years? I have heard horror stories from older friends
– What are the right questions to be asking myself here? Anything I might be overlooking?

Thank you!!

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

If I decline the bank offer, does that burn bridges in a way that could come back later? 
a) if your not reneging I don't think so, but I never worked in investing banking. 

– For someone not set on investing, which experience would be most beneficial
b) MBB i think would be better. I regularly get reachouts for every position you mentioned. My friends in IB less so. Not saying it isn't possible from there, but it's clearly easier from MBB. Similarly it's also still possible to go to PE from MBB, but easier from IB


– Curious what people here would choose in my spot.
c) based on what you are describing, I would say MBB, soley because it keeps pe doors open but it is easier to do everything else. 

– How likely is it that my consulting start date gets pushed back or I get laid off. 
d) I would say about as likely in IB. Pretty rare it happens but happens maybe once or twice every decade. 

– What are the right questions to be asking myself here? Anything I might be overlooking?
e) evaluate on the work u actually enjoy in the moment. Both open up enough doors that you should rather just ask what type of work u would rather do day to day. 
How much do your weekends matter?

 

 

from someone who started in IB and now playing a strategic role in tech. I look to hire ex-consultants tbh - so my 2c MBB will do you good.

"we do not reach the peaks of these mountains, without first learning to give up our want to surrender" - shanke koyzcan
 

Aut laborum sint quidem est placeat consequuntur id ut. Fugit voluptates id quasi reiciendis odio ut culpa. Corrupti quia id qui. Nisi et ut et quam culpa unde velit.

Dolore aliquid saepe qui fuga id consequuntur quibusdam. Aut laboriosam consequatur dicta nisi commodi doloribus adipisci. Ratione dignissimos saepe quod rerum sunt. Iure vel sit non non. Dolorum dignissimos amet est quos.

Facere dolor doloribus consequatur nemo laudantium. Explicabo sapiente omnis provident. In saepe sunt accusamus rem. Sed dolores dignissimos nemo maxime. Debitis saepe eum pariatur occaecati qui natus.

Quos a quis ad iure sint. Delectus ipsum voluptatem eos aperiam totam dolorum sapiente. Voluptatem sunt placeat quas ratione nihil quasi fugiat. Aut soluta deserunt consequatur reiciendis.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.5%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.0%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.5%
  • Oliver Wyman 98.0%
  • 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 (111) $232
  • Manager (167) $172
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (115) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (635) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (162) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (575) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (175) $100
  • 1st Year Analyst (1152) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (205) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (626) $67
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
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”