Exit Options from Consulting?

Exit opportunities can be broadly categorized as consisting of investing and operating roles. Within investing, you have several areas of high finance that recruit consultants, primarily venture capital, growth equity, and private equity. Most enter at the associate level after 2-3 years in consulting. On the operating side, you can divide the category further into startup roles and corporate roles -- and even within that there is more nuance (ex. Series A startup vs. Series C). Popular roles at startups and corporates include Chief of Staff, Biz Ops, Corporate Strategy (internal strategy teams), Corporate Development (internal M&A teams), Product Strategy, Growth Strategy, and Product Management.

The proportion of consultants that pursue each exit opp varies based on interest, class composition, and the macroeconomic environment. When tech was really hot in 2021, I'd say about half of people who left went to startups. In 2022, I see less people going to startups and more choosing to go to business school.