Recession impact on post-undergraduate MBB positions?

I just signed with BCG for an Associate role after graduation in the spring. That was about four weeks ago, and I have two options for start dates: July and next January. Ideally I would prefer to delay and spend some time traveling before jumping straight into the intense lifestyle, but I'm worried about the effects of the recession and COVID-19. Anyone at entry level MBB firms remember what 2008 was like? Should I aim for the July start date to not be "last in, first out"? Or is MC as "counter-cyclical" as some people have told me, and I shouldn't be so worried?

4 Comments
 
 

Personally don't have color on this but I'd suggest you post this on /r/consulting on Reddit - they have a thread on COVID-19. There's some information on how '08 went there!

 
Most Helpful

It's highly unlikely they'll rescind your offer. If anything, your start date is likely to be pushed back (probably not if you picked January).

No, MC isn't totally counter cyclical. Sure, there are some immediate cost reduction projects / etc. you can go for, but on aggregate consulting firms will see significantly less business when the economy is in rough shape, as there's a lot less discretionary cash for new initiatives.

I'd be very very surprised if the economy wasn't growing again by January, so if anything I think that'd be the safer bet, but also in general BCG isn't known for being trigger-happy with layoffs.

 

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