Exiting into tech roles without an MBA - most of my colleagues seem to go into PE

Hey everybody,

I would like your ever helpful advice and some career counsel.

I work at Strategy& Deals in one of the big international offices. 

While I love the team and I have been networking hard to get staffed into as many strategy projects as possible, the work is heavily focused on M&A. We have established a strong reputation in the tech space and I get onto some cool projects, but most of my colleagues seems to be exiting either into MBB PE practice or UMM/MM PE houses. I am not fond of PE and do not want to work there after consulting. I really want to take a PM role in a big tech company or an exciting start-up.

Do you think it is viable? Do I need an MBA?

My only concern with the latter is that, as far as useless degrees go, I have a doctorate in engineering from HYS/Oxbridge. So I have spent enough time in academia 

6 Comments
 
I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

Hi OP, I'm currently in a DD/Growth Strat-focused T2 consultancy in London (S& Deals/EYP/L.E.K.). Could you elaborate more on or list the exits that you've seen from colleagues in your office as well as other S&/T2 offices in UMM/MM PE?

Am considering different lateral opportunities and would like to see some of the firms that would be open.

On a different note, how are chances at H/S/W MBA from S& Deals?

Thanks!

 

Sorry, I don't have much perspective on this as I haven't seen/know anyone who did it. But typically hires beyond the graduate level is into a specific niche (sector/function), so if in your previous firm, you can show you're a top performer (accelerated promotion, higher bonus, Manager recommendation) and can demonstrate expert knowledge on the niche that would benefit the T2, you should stand a chance. You would also likely have a better shot at Deloitte and Accenture compared to S&/OW as the former two are more open with pedigree.

 
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