Exit vs. staying

Hi WSO !

Consulting is generally mentioned (on WSO/other forums/when people talk about consulting) as a job to leave after a few years (like 2-5 years), with some comments being quite harsh on those who stay (e.g. they did not manage to find a good exit opp, only average performers stay the smart ones leave, senior managers/partners really seem miserable...). Is it such a bad decision/choice or weird thing to consider staying in consulting? It seems that exiting in PE, high-level strategy role / chief of staff of a C-xx in a Fortune 500 is a proof of success and the way to go to "make a good career". Why would staying in consulting not be fulfilling and indicate a successful career? Managers and partners in consulting do have a drive, a knowledge and for many a charisma which you don't necessarily see in 30-40 years old managers in finance/industry. Why this negativity ?

It kinda starts to bug me as I've been in consulting for 4 years now... and I do like the job. Am I weird / making a bad decision to consider staying longer ?

Thanks for your thoughts !

4 Comments
 

I don't think people that only average consultants stay in the industry. In fact, some of the smartest people I've ever worked with were managers who started right out of UG and got direct promoted all the way through.

Once you hit 2+ years in Consulting, it's more about what makes sense for your career / personal life. You've now seen what the industry's about and what it takes to get promoted, so you decide if it makes sense for you. Honestly, who cares what other consultants (or some college kids on WSO) think...? That should never be how you think about your career move...

 
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