Mck BA work hours
I’m an incoming BA and super nervous about the workload. Recently my health has taken a plunge due to a new diagnosis of a chronic illness and idk how I can work 70+hours a week. I’m worried and have already begun looking at other careers that are easier. I think I can manage 50-55 hours or working till around 8pm but online it says the average is 70-75 hours at Mck. Is this true? What is the average? If I’m not asleep by midnight im going to find it very tough or not sustainable.
I don’t want to go to Mck and then have to quit in a few months but also know that it would be very helpful for my career if I can stay 2 years. Is it still worth to go to Mck or what should I do? I know reneg would be horrible and I don’t have any other job lined up anyway.
Ahoy there! It sounds like you're in a bit of a pickle, but fear not, Max the Monkey is here to shed some light on the situation based on the most helpful WSO content.
First off, let's tackle the average work hours at McKinsey. Based on the insights from the WSO dataset, it seems that the average hours worked at McKinsey hover around 69.1 hours per week. This figure is a bit above your comfort zone of 50-55 hours, but it's not quite as high as the 70-75 hours you mentioned being concerned about.
Now, diving into the life of a Business Analyst (BA) at McKinsey, it's important to note that work hours can indeed be demanding. A former McKinsey Engagement Manager shared their typical schedule, which involved flying to the client site early Monday, working from around 8 or 9 am to 7 pm at the client site, then breaking for dinner/workout, and continuing to work in the hotel until 11 or midnight. Fridays were a bit more relaxed, with a 9-5 day either in the office or at home, and weekends were generally free from work. This schedule suggests that while long hours are common, there might be some flexibility that could accommodate your health needs, especially if you're able to manage your time well and communicate your needs effectively.
Given your health concerns, it's crucial to consider whether the demanding schedule at McKinsey aligns with your well-being. McKinsey is known for its high-impact work and can be a fantastic boost for your career, but your health should always come first. It might be worth discussing your situation with HR or your future team at McKinsey to see if accommodations can be made. Many firms are becoming more flexible and understanding of individual needs, especially when it comes to health.
In summary, while the average work hours at McKinsey are indeed high, there might be some room for flexibility. It's essential to weigh the benefits to your career against the potential impact on your health. Open communication with McKinsey about your situation could also open up possibilities for adjustments that could make your tenure there more manageable and fruitful.
Remember, your health and well-being are paramount. It's important to make a decision that aligns with your long-term happiness and health.
Sources: Ex-McKinsey Consultant Here Answering Questions, Received offers from all three MBB firms and don't know what to do, MBB Analyst comp/hours ?, Feeling dejected about corporate life and thinking of starting own business, Q&A: Former McKinsey EM
Reach out to your recruiter and ask them. If you have a chronic illness while at the Firm, I know we have very generous support, I'd expect this covers colleagues who haven't yet joined us.
Broadly finishing at 8pm in my experience is rare, bar internal studies and potentially public sector. Everyone I know has been in a position where they've left the office past midnight.
Thank you! I will reach out and ask. I see, so the regular hours are past midnight every day? I guess I will try my best and hope everything works out? And if my health suffers a lot due to the hours then I guess I can take short term disability or medical leave.
Let’s say the worst case happens and I have to leave the firm in a few months or basically before the first year ends due to health. Will this be career suicide and what would happen to me? Are there any other business jobs that I could get that has more normal hours but still decent pay and progression? If so, what would the name of those careers be?
I think I should mention that McKinsey also has a “take time” scheme that allows an additional 10 weeks of unpaid leave during the year. So although not ideal but there’s that option too.
Your health should be prioritised though. Really hope you have a speedy recovery and I hope it’s nothing too serious. I saw on “preplounge” that McKinsey usually allows around 12 months of delayed entry (if you haven’t used it yet then that works) and could be more for exceptional circumstances which you have. Definitely talk to McKinsey and I’m sure they’ll help you out!
I would also ask this question on PrepLounge as all of the people answering are current/ex- MBB people: https://www.preplounge.com/en/consulting-forum
Leaving after a few months is absolutely not career suicide. I know of a BA who had to leave after 5 months because he realised he was getting health issues due to stress and his startup just raised 15M
Hi thank you so much! I asked my recruiter and she said I can defer my offer by a year if necessary and can let her now or later this year. Unfortunately it’s a lifelong chronic illness with no cure that has to be managed, so even if I defer the offer I will still have the illness, but it can give me more time to explore treatment options and learn how to manage it. The severity of symptoms range from severe (needing hospitalization) to mild (manageable) but like most chronic illnesses the condition can flare or go into remission, but the doctor said some known trigger factors are diet, lack of sleep and stress which is why I’m worried. Right now my symptoms are moderate, which makes it tough to get through the day, hopefully I can get it to mild by the time I start but it will go up and down. I think for now I will join when they announce my start date as I put a preference of Jan/feb 2025 anyways and I will do my best, worst case I will take short term disability leave if needed and find a new job. Thank you so much for your kind words in this difficult time for me I appreciate it.
Europe: 09.00-24.00 Mo-Wed quiet common, Thu 09.00-20.00, Fri 09.00:18.00
I think the norm will be M-W - likely 9 am to 11pm with an hour/2 hour break and then Thursday is usually 9-9 ish and then Friday is 9-4/5 pm from my experience; Average is closer to 65
Go for as long as you can. Who knows you might make it a year or two.
Pariatur consequatur voluptates quia asperiores. Iste eaque repellendus iste fuga dignissimos enim. Autem maxime porro ad.
In voluptas quos iure aut iste earum. Voluptatem non est cupiditate qui aut. Recusandae voluptatum et ad sed placeat.
Et error sit veritatis aut. Atque id molestiae aliquid et quis voluptas. Adipisci est hic aperiam aut corrupti quo quidem.
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...