Giving this a try because Reddit is incredibly biased towards FAANG.
Both offers are for software engineer roles, with MBB being more AI‑focused and Google being just one of their many products. I already have 4 YoE in big tech, so the Google job is more familiar to me, whereas consulting isn’t.
The Google offer is very appealing because of the higher salary, better WLB, benefits, access to cutting‑edge tech, building a strong engineering foundation, and especially the prestige — it seems like it would open more doors in the future. And no one will question my value. Plus, I could always get an MBA and pivot to MBB later. Also, the interview process was so painful that it would hurt to say no.
MBB is more appealing for long‑term opportunities. I think I could climb higher than at Google (assuming I don’t burn out), and I could stand out more easily given my technical abilities (and strengthen my soft skills). Please correct me if I’m wrong! I would aim to be a leader and manager. While in FAANG you’re limited to a software engineering career (which I know I don’t want to still be doing at 40), essentially another cog in the machine, consulting gives you breadth, exposure, and skills to start new companies or reach leadership levels — which is where I see myself in the future.
I know what to expect from Google, but MBB has many unknowns. I would appreciate feedback and guidance and possibly answers to the following from those who have experience in MBB engineering:
- The MBB job is more AI‑solutions focused — does this mean building a glorified chatbot and making slides, or is it actual technical project work?
- Which is safer in this AI age? Is there real market demand for AI consulting?
- Co‑workers in FAANG tend to be more “nerdy” (some are weird tbh) but generally nice. What’s the environment like in consulting?
- Work life banace at MBB: is it really that bad of a developer?
To be clear, I'm very greatful to have this dilemma, it took everything to be here. Thank you so much! Any insights are valuable!
At Google, SWEs are the ones creating value while everyone else supports them. At MBB, consultants are the ones creating value while everyone else supports them. In any organization, you should want to be the one creating value.
To this point - as someone who was at MBB, I definitely think you should take Google.
The data-focused teams were definitely seen a bit as second-class-citizens (maybe 1.5th class) unless they were super senior / on a specific project. I also feel like they were getting worked way more than my friends at Google.
In terms of optionality, spending time at Google would likely make your more value if you did eventually want to leave to do the MBB stuff. But MBB, while maybe not cutting off Google completely, likely only makes it harder than coming from another Big Tech.
What the intern is explaining is that ideally, especially in the beginning of your career it's best to be in a 'front office' role. At a law firm, accounting firm, or even a hospital, you want to be an attorney, an accountant, or a surgeon (at the forefront of what they do) not the paralegal, the offshore bookkeeper, or the nurse (all okay careers, but this forum isn't about 'ok' careers). If it's for software engineering, as I'm sure the rest of the monkeys will attest, it's a no brainer. Google.
Go Google.
Are you going to be in the general consulting pool at your MBB, or at something like McKinsey QuantumBlack/BCG X/Bain's equivalent?
Unless you're joining your MBB as a generalist consultant (i.e. with the title BA/A/AC or A/C/C), take Google.
Yes, its 'something like McKinsey QuantumBlack/BCG X/Bain's equivalent'. One of those, I just don't want to be too obvious.
I have several friends work in MBB and friends at Google and I feel like the ones at Google work infinitely less. MBB has pretty brutal hours consistently vs. it seems like if you’re good at Google there’s a lot of flexibility with WFH/remote and having a good WLB.
I would personally take Google SWE over consulting if I had the skillset.
Oh also isn’t the pay and overall benefits package worse at MBB? I was always surprised with how little they made.
Google SWE with 4 YOE should be getting a bag plus you get equity at one of the largest companies in the world.
Not even factoring in an hours adjusted basis.
Probably Google. How does this fit into your broader career path goals?
If you have the rep and experience of being a top tier SWE, then you can go to consulting or startups later, or plenty of other fields. Consider the optionality of each path.
Consulting is a great generalist base, opens a lot of doors. But, in general (and actually increasingly given AI), my feeling on the street is that firms want people with a ‘spike’ or a specific field of expertise they can bring to the table.
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