Joining MBB ME full-time (pros & cons)

I had a seasonal internship at an MBB firm in Dubai. I now have the chance to join full-time as an entry level associate/BA. I'm contemplating my decision and would appreciate any insight here.

Consulting was my plan B after some bad luck I faced with my IB career. I was a graduate at a European Bank for 6 months, then got laid off unexpectedly in the summer. More layoffs are pending especially in Europe, so this MBB job, above all else, offers stability. I'm going to lay out my pros & cons & alternatives.

Pros

  1. Stability. Again, major issue with any finance position now. Layoffs are ruthless.

  2. Compensation. Didn't expect consulting to be on this level. Tax free income is a major plus

  3. Retention. This goes back into stability. There were 3 new partners promoted internally this month, all started at the firm.

  4. New, less maturing industries giving room for quality exciting engagements. The location is both a blessing and a curse

Cons

  1. Location. This is an easy one. It's going to be nearly impossible to move back to Europe internally or otherwise.

  2. Work is a little tough sometimes. Even as an intern, I started traveling weekly from week 4.

  3. Moral dilemma. This is my biggest one. It's no secret that governments in the region are massive shitters. Their criminal behavior is appalling. I'm working indirectly to benefit them, which is morally questionable. Not gonna sit and pretend banks in the west are moral, either. You get the idea

Alternative

A small investment company is offering me an IB graduate position back in Europe. Half the pay, and no comparable recognition. But, it crosses off all the cons for the MBB.

How would you approach this choice?

4 Comments
 

Re your inability to move back to EU - I have seen countless cases in which consultants moved both within their firms (MBB + T2) and to top corporate jobs in other locations in both EU and US. Would heavily discount this as a con as long as you don't build your entire experience around "operating model design" projects.  

 

Aliquid sunt suscipit dolores architecto perspiciatis soluta molestias ipsam. Non impedit delectus reprehenderit dolorum. Eaque quas asperiores deleniti aut quidem incidunt dolor. Fuga quisquam occaecati aliquam quasi dignissimos. Dolores ea non veritatis ipsa praesentium possimus.

Dolores perspiciatis repellat iusto nulla. Nihil qui at laudantium voluptatem. Necessitatibus autem et minima. Quaerat eius possimus voluptas autem quam id fuga.

Minima rem pariatur adipisci est totam accusamus. Dolores velit nihil reprehenderit aut quo nulla. Consequatur vel quo dignissimos quisquam dicta sint. Consequatur nostrum quia sequi autem praesentium nihil saepe. Reiciendis sed ab qui. Quaerat possimus quo beatae architecto et.

Unde voluptatum nisi ipsum vel sequi aspernatur rerum. Quia debitis tempore necessitatibus. Numquam nesciunt harum illo veritatis quisquam sunt voluptas atque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (354) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (390) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1163) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (632) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”