Is the immediate future of consulting dire?

Hi everyone,

I am looking to start work as a consultant full time later on this year, and have an offer from a T2 firm to do so. 

I have heard rumours recently that several firms have delayed certain cohorts' start dates (Oliver Wyman, OC&C, EY-P), citing the recession and low deal volume as reasons. Equally, it seems that this recruitment cycle many firms have slowed down their rate of hiring.

Given that the UK is expected to be in a protracted recession, or, at best, sluggish recovery, do you think that people looking to start later this year will also see their start dates deferred, or even have their offers removed? Is the time to jump industry now, rather than face unemployment in a few months' time?

I appreciate this question is more speculative than objective, but I would be interested on hearing people's thoughts (especially those who have been in the industry a while as opposed to my limited grad knowledge of consulting)

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