Niche consulting to MBB consulting?

Hi WSO fam! I'm currently a senior at a non-target school. I recently received a full-time offer from a very niche consulting firm (which consults in the executive compensation space). I was wondering if starting out in a niche consulting area out of school is a good decision or not. Is it possible to switch from this niche area to strategy consulting at bigger firms (like MBB in the future)?

Any advice would be appreciated!

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I'd never bet on transferring to other firms as a big factor -- the possibility for that is largely determined by macro type trends that you don't have control over. Personally, I wouldn't think that there's going to be a ton of lateral hiring the next couple years given how many firms overhired and the work slowdown that's occurred at many firms

In terms of whether or not it'd be a good idea, it depends on your goals and the other opportunities you have available. It won't be relevant experience for the broad types of strategy roles that consultants usually want. As somebody who personally isn't interested in exec comp or HR type work I would not choose it if I had other decent options available

 

Atque amet sunt dignissimos harum fuga quasi iste. Et nam tenetur deserunt ea possimus. Voluptatem earum recusandae itaque nam.

Itaque eveniet est tenetur voluptatem vero impedit. Voluptate hic dolor temporibus modi dolorem. Eos quia voluptatum ut.

Inventore fuga quaerat maxime praesentium corporis. Dolorem repudiandae vel sed beatae sint perferendis aut. Sapiente est rerum exercitationem. Sunt similique reiciendis ut et non. Voluptate aut similique quod sit.

Est quod consequatur sit voluptatem. Totam molestias omnis temporibus corrupti earum qui earum consequatur. Vel labore et aut sed nemo.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey & Company 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey & Company 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (52) $246
  • Engagement Manager (114) $233
  • Manager (171) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $137
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • 1st Year Associate (576) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (392) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (639) $68
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”