Congrats on being able to choose between these two options! Well done on getting the offers :) Now, the short unhelpful answer is it depends on what you want to do long term (which may be hard to know when you're still in UG). What I'd say is the following: If you want to have the widest array of career options open to you (you reaaaally don't know what you want to do long term), MBB will be better at opening those doors and getting you exposed to different industries, business models, etc.

It depends on the industry. In California tech, many companies don’t know how to leverage a pure corp strategy team you want to be more towards product/offering strategy or corp dev that said strategy is much less like being a brick layer and much more of a thought leader that involves creativity and vision the head of Lazard talks about performing at the highest level of your licensure. Let’s assume you are 90% IQ level. Lots of folks from 50-90% can work support tickets as a SWE. But maybe only you are smart enough to do corp dev/strategy/architechture

MBB vs. SWE at FAANG+

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10 Comments

WSO Monkey Bot

O

1y

Based on previous WSO threads, here's what you need to know:

Key Considerations for MBB vs. SWE at FAANG:

Compensation:
- SWE at FAANG: Typically offers significantly higher compensation compared to MBB consulting roles. This includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options.
- MBB Consulting: While lucrative, the compensation is generally lower than top SWE roles, especially when considering the long-term stock options and bonuses in tech.
Work-Life Balance:
- SWE at FAANG: Generally offers a better work-life balance compared to MBB. The tech industry is known for more flexible hours and remote work options.
- MBB Consulting: Known for demanding hours and extensive travel, which can impact work-life balance.
Career Growth and Opportunities:
- SWE at FAANG: Offers a clear technical career path with opportunities to move into management or specialized technical roles. The tech industry is also known for rapid growth and innovation.
- MBB Consulting: Provides a broad skill set and exposure to various industries, which can be beneficial for future career transitions into management roles, entrepreneurship, or other strategic positions.
Job Satisfaction:
- SWE at FAANG: If you didn't enjoy your previous SWE role, consider whether it was the company culture or the nature of the work itself. FAANG companies often have different cultures and work environments compared to smaller tech firms.
- MBB Consulting: Offers a dynamic and challenging environment with diverse projects. If you enjoy problem-solving and strategic thinking, this could be a fulfilling career path.
Long-Term Goals:
- SWE at FAANG: Ideal if you are passionate about technology and want to stay in the tech industry.
- MBB Consulting: Suitable if you are interested in a variety of industries and roles, and if you value the broad skill set and network that consulting provides.

Personal Reflection:

Reflect on your previous SWE experience and identify what specifically you didn't like. Was it the company culture, the type of projects, or the nature of the work itself?
Consider your long-term career goals and which role aligns better with them.
Think about the lifestyle you want and how each role fits into that vision.

Advice from WSO Community:

Do what you are good at, and do what you enjoy. There is no easy path, and what's hot today won't be hot tomorrow. If you don't do it for the right reasons, you're going to be left behind.
Consider the challenge and satisfaction: If you are intrigued by the challenge and want to signal to yourself and others that you are capable, MBB might be the right choice. However, if financial stability and work-life balance are more important, SWE at FAANG could be more suitable.

Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preferences, career goals, and what you value most in a job.

Sources: Received offers from all three MBB firms and don't know what to do, What would you choose: IB vs SWE @ FAANG?, Post MBA IB associates, how did you know you could handle the life?, Have you ever seen an intern quit early?, Q&A: Broke into MM M&A from a non-traditional background and 2 years of networking and internships

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I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

IB

Incoming Analyst in IB - Gen

1y

I’ve heard even MBB are delaying FT start dates by >1 year for some candidates. FAANG is a great brand and if you want you can always go to b-school and transition to consulting. Just a couple considerations.

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https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/resources/careers/designations/banking-certifications

bluejoeyeo

CO

1y

this is for intern though... idk if you can delay intern start date like that

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Vertical Integration Definition Us History

DrApeman

CO

1y

Most Helpful

Congrats on being able to choose between these two options! Well done on getting the offers :)

Now, the short unhelpful answer is it depends on what you want to do long term (which may be hard to know when you're still in UG). What I'd say is the following:

If you want to have the widest array of career options open to you (you reaaaally don't know what you want to do long term), MBB will be better at opening those doors and getting you exposed to different industries, business models, etc. You'll be able to exit to any Corp Strat role, PE, Tech again (though easier coming from Tech to begin with), starting your own business, bunch of Biz Dev roles but also Chief of Staff-type roles (which literally change company to company), etc.
If you do know that you want to end up in Tech later or start your own Tech business (you're just unsure in what exactly), then SWE at FAANG is better. Many people from MBB look to exit to FAANG in a PM role or to start their own business, and often the missing bit of experience is that technical background and understanding. They still manage, but it's a harder journey
If you're agnostic about career trajectory and both seem equally interesting, and then money is your biggest consideration, then yeah, FAANG is better.

I suppose if you already have Tech experience, and you really genuinely have no idea at all what you want to do, MBB could be the better call. Money will be very good still (~$110k in the US) right out of school, which is still better than 95% of jobs out there (beaten of course by FAANG, IB, and Big Law, but I think that's pretty much it).

If you do feel that Tech is where you want to be (whether at Big Tech, a Startup, or doing your own thing), then SWE at FAANG would likely be the better call. Also, you can always do an MBA later and just go to Consulting if you really want to (but depending on where you are in your career then, that might mean a step down in comp :D)

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - Associate ConsultantCertified Consulting Pro

PT

Analyst 3+ in PropTrad

1y

Here’s the truth about FAANG, it will be cushy(except for Amazon) and you will be bored out of your mind. Most people just working on configuration changes, operational excellence, inane coding in Java. Like sure the money is a bit more but after a while you just realize that the world is about capital allocation and being a swe you are just a cog in the wheel. Sure mbb work is bullshit as well but you at least get more executive exposure and can build a career path in tech in a product role later on if you want.

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bluejoeyeo

CO

1y

what if the work is at a trading firm and a little more interesting than FAANG in the sense that i think it'll have tangible impact in terms of seeing the traders actually use it

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WestCoastChimp4521

CO

1y

This is 100%

it’s good to have some engineering foundation if you want a big role in tech. But really 2-3 years max

then you want to get into a capital allocator role . It’s all about capital allocation

Coders are just bricklayers

you want to tell the world What to build; not how to build it

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Authored by: Certified Consulting Professional - Business SchoolCertified Consulting Pro

bluejoeyeo

CO

1y

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MBB vs. SWE at FAANG+

Key Considerations for MBB vs. SWE at FAANG:

Personal Reflection:

Advice from WSO Community:

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

Elite Career Bootcamp. Top Job Offer Guaranteed.

MBB vs. SWE at FAANG+

Key Considerations for MBB vs. SWE at FAANG:

Personal Reflection:

Advice from WSO Community:

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