Life after MBB
What are the alternatives beyond the classic go work for a client scenario? What other moves have you guys seen work? What moves have totally flopped?
I ask because I'm at an MBB now (post-MBA, associate/consultant-level) and plan to stick around for at least a couple more years, but I want to choose projects that will set me up for the next big thing.
I think starting up your own thing is pretty popular. For that, you want to be exposing yourself to all kinds of projects (Strat, Ops, Marketing, M&A, etc.) to cover the gamut of issues you'd face as a entrepreneur.
I've seen people go to a corp start role. Someone of these can be large teams and formal. Some can be very unique and 2-3 man teams under the CEO. I know a guy that travels the world to seek out new fashion trends and reports them back to the CEO (works at a fashion company).
I think there are more "unique" consulting companies out there to go to as well. I've stumbled upon SYPartners, looks cool.
Mind sharing the fashion company where your friend works? That gig sounds great lol
I've seen a few exit to non-profits e.g., gates foundation, asia development bank, etc.
Exit options out of MBB for Associate/Consultant (Originally Posted: 04/20/2011)
So I know that exit options for Business Analysts (at M) and Associates (at BB) are covered ad nauseam here and elsewhere on teh interwebz.
What do options for the post-MBA crowd look like? If you can't make it to the Engagement Manager level and are pushed out, are we just looking at middle management drudgery at John Deere or something? Do people place into PEs as often as BA's do? (I'm assuming not, since the PE firms are taking on less of a burden with pre-MBA associates). Any possibility of going into IB?
And say you make it to EM, but can't get as far up as principal, or decide that 4-5 years of consulting is enough. What kind of options are we looking at here?
I mean, for example, managementconsulted.com seems to indicate that for BA's, about 25% will go into "finance" (PE/HF/AM), but does that hold for post-MBAs as well? Obviously they won't have the "more school" route, so that's something to take into account, too.
I don't expect you guys to actually know what's up, so any educated guesses, hearsay, and anecdotal evidence would be greatly appreciated. TYIA.
If finance is the exit opp you want, it's primarily BAs or Partners, I think. Maybe a few Principals.
Most people I've seen leave in the middle have gone to corporate roles. Not sure whether it's all "middle management drudgery" or not, but I think most people who either want to leave or get pushed out in the middle have families, want to see them more, and end up in verticals that interest them.
A few went to strategy roles at startups, one or two to non-profit.
FYI, this isn't hearsay, but is limited to the people at my firm and in my region/office
Thanks. Does anyone happen to know if there is a message board that's more focused toward the MBA/post-MBA consultant crowd?
BUMP - interesting question ;)
Fairly certain there's past posts you can read about MBB exit opps. Just do a LinkedIn search and a whole host of things will pop up.
At my office, leaving at CTL usually puts you at a Director/VP level positions. I've seen a lot go into strategy roles but definitely varies. Recent principal departure to an SVP role at a bank.
Very few exit into PE (one recent departure did but he also had a PE background), probably a mix of a) are not likely to get the position and b) are transitioning out of consulting because of the lifestyle and want something less stressful.
I have seen a few people go into portfolio roles in PE. More towards nichier groups at smaller firms vs. Bain Cap or KKR Capstone, which mostly hire pre-MBA.
Have you not ever seen the Charles Aris annual publication?
MBB Operations Consulting Exit Ops (Originally Posted: 10/25/2010)
Lets you do pre-MBA ops consulting, as opposed to general strategy/management consulting, at an MBB. What are the exit ops? Are they just as good as the generalist consultants? Would you be valued by PE firms after B-School?
Also, why is Ops considered by some as less glamorous?
nope no where close, if you cant get into MBBB or LEK,Parthenon, Monitor, OC&C then look to finance NOT OPS OR BIG 4 OR IT CONSULTING, avoid like the plague
.
i think that if you spend 5 yearsish and make it to the EM level you can probably move over to PE as an operations professional i've seen EM's move over to megafunds...honestly sounds more attractive than being a model monkey if you really get to drive value in portcos
Post Consulting Recruitment Firms (Originally Posted: 12/17/2014)
I hear there is a thread elsewhere on this but wondering if anyone knows firms off the top of their head that specialize in placing consultants in industry roles. Would be curious to check them out and track a little bit of what they do and where some of their folks end up. Particularly interested in healthcare/life sciences, but open to any firms that do it.
Thanks in advance,
charles aris is one
Opportunities after MBB (Originally Posted: 05/06/2012)
I've heard most people do consulting for only a couple years before moving on. What types of jobs to people take after leaving MBB?
http://managementconsulted.com/consulting-exit-opportunities/management… http://managementconsulted.com/consulting-exit-opportunities/management…
Consulting exit ops? (Originally Posted: 11/28/2012)
So we all know consulting is supposed to have sick exit ops. What's the best way to pursue them? Say if one wants to go work for a Google or tech start up type company? Or private equity? Or something with good work/life balance, maybe non profits? Give me some ideas ...
A lot of people transition to work for companies that used to be their client/in the same industry that they would often take on projects.
A few thoughts based on experiences stemming from my time in consulting:
1) Get yourself on relevant projects - If you want to work for Google, then work on technology projects; if you want PE, then work on due diligence engagements, etc.
2) Headhunters - you'll get cold calls/emails from various headhunters looking to place you. This can be another avenue for your next position.
3) Co-Workers - I had a couple co-workers/managers leave the consulting firm while I was there who after leaving tried to poach me away. If you're interested in a certain industry/firm then try to stay in touch with people who've left to go to those places. In addition, lots of consulting firms have an alumni networking site so you can even reach out that way.
4) Senior Folk - Assuming you know this person fairly well and have done good work for them, can always ask a partner or other senior-level person for a referral to a company you're interested in going to. In the vast majority of cases, they'll be happy to set you up.
Good summary, 23mich
What do I do now after 2 years in consulting? (Originally Posted: 12/11/2013)
Finished 2 years at a smaller firm (Parthenon, LEK). Top performer, was a direct to MBA role promote. Really interested in working in an operating role.
Looking for a manager or higher level role. Are my expectations realistic? What's the best way to approach the job search?
Thanks so much. All advice is appreciated
Also, how does timing play into recruiting? What are the best times of year to recruit?
Does your firm not offer transition assistance?
My suggestion is to start reaching out to alumni and getting informational interviews. I would be targeted in my search e.g. I want to do finance at a tech company. Once you get a chance to talk to the alum then you need to follow up, a lot of roles are going to go unadvertised or are going to be advertised, but are truly black holes and will ultimately be filled via an internal candidate or a referral, you need to figure out how to get them. So every month get back to them, check in and just stay on their radar. Keep repeating, figure out your 10 dream firms and go from there, keep widening the net.
You should check out my WSO webinar next week ;)
Link?
Agree with the networking advice above...if your firm offers placement assitance...would not start your clock before Feb...Jan is very slow. Not knowing your background hard to be specific about your options. Generically, consultants either end in a strategy role (as part of an internal strategy shop) or a strategy function within a business line. The assumption being you do not know enought about the business to actually take on a business role right out of the gate. A couple years in strat then you parlay that into a line role. Good luck.
Anyone know good headhunters/search firms for ex-consultants?
Bored at MBB and want to switch - what next?? (Originally Posted: 11/27/2012)
Hey everyone,
I am now a little over 1 year into my job at MBB and to be honest, I am totally bored - I find the actual work not very challenging and intellectually unsatisfying. I really want to do something else but find myself somewhat at a crossroad. Should I do my own startup? Should I switch to finance? Are there any other choices?
Please let me know your thoughts!!
What is it that you don't find to be challenging or unsatisfying? Do you think you would find finance more interesting? If you felt that there was too much PowerPoint work and general BS in consulting, I'm pretty sure you will encounter lots of that in banking too.
i feel ya bro
Do your own startup? If you're deciding between that and something else, I would do something else. Doesn't sound like you really have a solid plan there, but maybe I'm wrong.
For finance I was not really thinking along the lines of IBD - I don't think creating pitch book after pitch book is much better... I thought maybe PE or HF (I am at a point where I wouldn't mind a small/unknown firm)? What are your thoughts on that? I would love to do a startup - I am just not sure I have any sustainable ideas I could live from in the long run. Sorry if this all sounds a bit confused, I am just at a point of frustration where I know I need a change, I am just not sure where to go...
How many Starwood Points do you have? I would just wait until you hit 60k, because you can trade them for for 50k airline miles and five free nights at a Category 3 resort (Westin, Four Points, Sheraton).
THEN you can quit.
LOL!!! Although not very helpful - it is quite funny :-)
As a 1.5 yrs in MBB consultant with formerly 200k Starwood points earned (to a commenter's question), I totally hear you and agree. I'm interviewing now with startups. You should do some informational interviews -- consultants are actually quite spoiled with intellectually stimulating work at least some of the time; the stuff you'll be doing elsewhere in business analytics isn't going to be materially different or better.
Now, if you want a non-intellectual challenge, starting your own thing isn't the worst you could do. Nor is something in social impact for a year before business school. But do your homework first... banking isn't "intellectual," either.
Quite a few of the MBB friends I have had who really wanted something more challenging went to somewhat established startups in pretty high level strategy roles. This seems probably be your best bet but you need to do more research to see if you would really like the work. It's probably not THAT materially different outside of the fact that you'll have more decision making power.
That's very interesting, I hadn't considered actually joining a startup vs starting one of my own! I will definitely look into that, any suggestions on where to look? I only know escapethecity (which I check infrequently).
Dolores ab et et officiis. Ut et rerum laborum reiciendis unde et. Sint natus error ea ea necessitatibus quibusdam molestiae. Autem voluptatem facilis molestiae. Repellendus ad explicabo consectetur est sunt itaque.
Dolor et sit est ut vel. Animi possimus tempore vel repudiandae incidunt.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Et atque eos magnam aliquid. Assumenda amet qui sunt ut esse. Omnis voluptatem fuga est explicabo sed placeat blanditiis. Provident consequatur voluptates ducimus qui aut sit.
Occaecati et accusantium omnis quidem assumenda. Eligendi quaerat esse non. Unde nihil ut ut incidunt reprehenderit iusto dolorem. Debitis sed tempora similique quo. Voluptas provident consequatur enim dolor molestiae doloremque neque.
Ducimus quibusdam et iusto iure consequatur eaque tempore. Et voluptate et ut et doloremque doloribus.
Blanditiis explicabo temporibus eligendi officiis. Et minima libero consequatur sed. Ut ut id qui necessitatibus placeat dolores optio blanditiis. Eum recusandae reiciendis perferendis harum omnis facilis.