Entry level consulting vs. data science

Looking for some opinions/information about skill specific entrance ops into consulting. My plan after graduating was to do tech consulting for 3-5 years, move into a data science focused position to solidify my technical skills, than take those back into consulting. I had a consulting internship, ended up working part time there for the following year while in school, and it's what I see myself doing long term.

Here's my dilemma: I have offers from IBM, ZS Associates, a local but well regarded consulting firm, and somehow networked my way to a data science offer at an F50(but non-consulting) firm. I have almost decided to take the data science offer as it is essentially surpassing my 5 yr goal now, but before I do so thought I would reach out for opinions. I know many look for exit-ops after a few years in consulting, so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult to break into it later on - thoughts?

I'll also mention that IBM messed up their budgeting and want to me start in Jan 2018 which is definitely a turn off. Any advice is appreciated!

2 Comments
 

Rerum molestiae nostrum doloremque dolore voluptas. Natus quisquam nihil architecto aspernatur natus autem ullam. Inventore ut sint voluptatem in. Sunt voluptatibus nihil dolores et quidem quia. Rerum ratione tenetur tempore quae nemo. Beatae enim ullam magnam sed atque.

Et ut ullam non atque quia dolor nesciunt. Ipsa sequi eos quae reiciendis. Et molestiae minus sit velit. Ratione id id qui labore nobis fuga et.

Quis placeat et distinctio nulla blanditiis. Autem laborum nobis est at.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 99.0%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 99.0%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (171) $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 (391) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (634) $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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”