“I found my mentoring session with André very helpful, particularly because I came into it with very little understanding of commercial banking. My background is in life sciences and healthcare, and most of my career exploration so far has focused on consulting. Although I had become interested in commercial banking, I had not previously explored the area in any depth. I therefore needed a clear starting point and an honest conversation about what I should understand before deciding whether to pursue it.
André helped me establish that starting point. The session gave me a clearer way to think about commercial banking, how it differs from consulting, and what I still need to learn. Before the conversation, I was looking at opportunities and wondering whether I should begin applying alongside consulting applications. Afterwards, I understood that I needed to take a step back and make a more informed decision about whether the work genuinely interests me.
One of the most valuable aspects of the session was how it helped me recognise the gaps in my current understanding. I knew that I was new to banking, but I did not necessarily know which questions I needed to answer for myself. André’s guidance helped me think more clearly about where I am now, what I am missing, and what I should begin doing next. Having that direction was useful because it made the process feel more manageable. Rather than treating banking as a broad and unfamiliar industry, I now have a clearer starting point for learning about it.
A particularly helpful message was that I should first develop a better understanding of commercial banking and assess whether I actually like the work. I took away a sensible sequence: understand the area, decide whether it appeals to me, and then, if it does, commit to learning and preparing for applications. If I discover that the work does not suit my interests, I should be willing to recognise that and focus my efforts elsewhere. That advice sounds straightforward, but it was an important perspective for me at this stage.
The conversation made me realise that I should not rush into applying for commercial banking roles simply because I have found programmes that look interesting. Before the session, I was at risk of moving too quickly from curiosity to applications without having a strong enough understanding of the career itself. André helped me see the value of being more deliberate. I would rather make a considered application based on a genuine interest in the work than spend time applying to positions I cannot yet explain my motivation for pursuing.
Another important takeaway was recognising how substantial the differences between banking and consulting can be. Because consulting has been my main focus, it had become my reference point when thinking about other careers. The session helped me realise that I cannot assume banking will involve similar work, suit the same preferences, or require exactly the same preparation. I need to understand banking on its own terms rather than view it mainly as another option alongside consulting.
I also appreciated that the session was useful even though I did not finish it with a final career decision. At this exploratory stage, greater clarity about what I do not yet know is meaningful progress. I now feel better equipped to evaluate my interest, identify what I need to learn, and decide whether commercial banking deserves a more focused place in my career plans.
Overall, André was very helpful, and the session met an important need for me as someone starting with limited knowledge of the field. Its greatest value was giving me direction and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to my next steps. I left with a clearer understanding of my knowledge gaps, a more realistic perspective on the difference between banking and consulting, and a better sense of how to move forward before committing to applications.”
Prestige/exit opps wise, basically nothing beats MBB. I am not saying they are necessarily the best at everything (Mercer is better at HR, OW at FS, BAH in Gov, etc.), but they put people into top f500 and bschools more than almost any other consulting firm.
If you turn them down, I am guessing you would be doing so for fit reasons. This is entirely justifiable, especially if it is an elite boutique like Parthenon/LEK. You will work better where you are happy, and probably get better assignments. Those firms still send people to f500 and elite bschools. You just don't get the universal brand name; however, the people in corp strategy know the elite boutiques and respect them.
I wouldn't sweat the choice if you feel strongly a boutique is a better fit.
Finally, I am just going by what friends in consulting have said. I am a finance guy, and could be talking out my ass.
Yep - better fit + specialized projects in the industry/sector I'm most interested in
Side perk: easier to shine/differentiate yourself
Interesting thanks for the input guys.
Yeah so I did pick a boutique over MBB and was/am confident that I made the right decision, but all my friends think I'm stupid :p
My reasons: primarily fit, also less travel Only con I think is: lack of global brand name recognition but not such a huge issue to me
Cheers :)
I would also consider boutiques if you are going to (1) work in an area that they compete strongly with MBB (e.g., OW FS) and (2) you enjoy that type of work and people there. If you will be working within elite practices at an elite boutique, I really see no difference between say an OW FS and an MBB as you will be getting great projects that will prove favorable to business schools and exit ops within that speciality. The only key difference between an elite boutique with a certain great practice and MBB is that if you do opt to go into a boutique, you more than likely will be aligned to a certain practice as opposed to being a generalist - this of course, like everything else, has its pros and cons.
My friend turned down MBB for a "lower tier". She knew she wanted to stay in consulting (aka didn't care about post-consulting exit opps), liked the people better at her chosen firm, and the hours were better (plus less travel at her chosen firm).
I know people who've turned down MBB for boutique firms back in '08. Some of them loved it, others got let go by their boutiques when the economy soured. You never know, I guess.
I have a friend who interned at one of the elite boutiques, got a FT offer at MBB and took it, and now seriously regrets his decision. What he couldn't stress enough was that even what may seem like pretty small differences between firms in people, culture, and lifestyle start to add up when you're racking up countless hotel hours with them. This is not even a brand difference, this will vary across brand and which office you're based out of.
While MBB definitely has an edge on the boutiques in terms of "prestige" "exit opps", that is just a function of their aggregate classes. On average, any given MBB class will be stronger than an elite boutique because of its extensive resource base. The fact that you got offers from both means you are obviously talented enough to excel at either firm.
If by "boutique" you mean Monitor/Parthenon/Booz/etc., then yeah, that's a fine decision if you think you'll be happier there. But if you mean some fifty-person shop with one office and six clients, that would be a huge mistake.
Actually it is one of those "fifty person shops with one office" - not in USA btw. It's not well known outside of consulting or abroad but the people are top notch and it seems to place very well into top MBA programs & other jobs.
I've decided at the end of the day fit is more important than random people having heard of my company so pretty content with my choice :)
(I thought Monitor/Booz etc were considered 2nd tier?)
Maybe Booz doesn't belong on my list, but Monitor definitely does. If you want to stay in consulting long-term, a little boutique is definitely a fine choice, but the reason why I'd generally call it a mistake is that by picking a small boutique you're probably reducing your options if you have no sense of what you want to come after consulting.
Of course, it's a personal decision, and it's really a case-by-case question. It sounds like you've thought it, through, so the generic advice doesn't apply, and if your gut tells you this is where to go you're right to act accordingly. Hope it works out, it's a ballsy move.
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