Is the grass really greener in consulting vs IB

Post MBA associate wrapping up my first year at an EB in IB. While I don’t totally hate the job there are certain aspects I really don’t see myself being okay with long term.

I’ve also realized the parts of the job I actually enjoy doing are much more strategy focused.

After another year I’ll probably look to exit and am considering trying to switch to consulting even if it means taking a step back in tenure. Ideally try to network to getting a shot at MBB but will see what’s possible then.

Below I’ve listed the things I really can’t stand about banking. Does consulting improve on these or is it just more of the same?

Operational Work: I spend way more time than I thought I would on a daily basis managing VDRs, setting up who has access to what files, dealing with NDA redlines with buyers, and just generally responding to emails about the logistics of the process.

I knew this was part of the job but I guess I didn’t realize how much of the job it was. Some days I won’t even look at an analysis until well past 5pm when the email traffic calms down. I started my career in back office operations and it reminds me a lot of that. I also frequently see VPs still weighing in on this stuff, so this type of work doesn’t go away until the director level it seems.

Does consulting have some similar operational workload, or do you actually spend the entire day doing some type of analysis?

Unpredictability/Length of Hours: I don’t mind long hours, I think I would be bored working just 8 hours a day, but I can’t do 14-16 hours 5-6 days a week forever (this isn’t every week but is definitely the norm). I need to be able to get closer to 7-8 hours of sleep and not 4-5 most nights a week. Would also love the ability to consistently work out instead of trying to sneak it in whenever I can manage.

I also get tired of the unpredictability. It sucks being done at 11pm and heading to bed only to get an email from a VP who wants something done by 2am. This also doesn’t ever seem to get better, because VPs+ will also be up sending these emails or asking to hop on a zoom quick. This is also a 24/7 issue, you’re usually kind of safe on Saturdays but the feel of permanently being on call gets tiring.

Same thing with vacations really, even when you take off you’re only kind of off, and that seems to be the case all the way up - have seen MDs hopping on calls from their honeymoons.

So are either of these things really any better in consulting?