Lateraling to MBB/How do I get outta boutique?
Wanted to get some no-BS input from folks who’ve been in similar shoes.
I recently accepted a Strategy Analyst offer at a boutique consulting firm, mid-market clients), strategy/implementation focused. It's not name-brand, but there’s real client exposure from what I have heard where they put jr folks in front of clients and give you more ownership.
Context: I tried to break into MBB and failed. I go to a non-target (satellite campus) where consulting exits are almost non-existent. Our main campus might be a semi-target for UG, MBA people definitely place pretty well in MBB. LinkedIn searches turn up nothing from my campus. To date, I only know of two people from my school who made it:
- One is literally at the same boutique I’m joining, same office, joined a year before me.
- The other went Big 4 advisory post-grad, and only just made the switch into a consulting role. They also graduated one year before me.
So here's what I’m trying to figure out:
- How does starting at a boutique like this position me long-term (MBA, corp strat, buy-side pivots, operator roles)?
- Does the lack of brand tank chances of pivoting into MBB or even tier-2?
- What’s the actual path to move up/out from a boutique, and what should I be doing in year 1–2 to keep doors open?
- Any examples of people who made a strong jump from this kind of background?
Not looking for sugarcoating, just want to make sure I’m thinking ahead and setting myself up right.
Any insight would help, thanks.
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