Starting at OW, want to move to MBB eventually

Hi all,

Just looking for advice and thoughts about this. I'm starting at OW (messed up my application at MBB so didn't get interviewed) and am worried thar I'll be stuck doing risk modelling for insurance/banks. I know their main focus is on FS but I accepted their offer as my backup was with another FS company.

Worried that I'll end up getting siloed into FS and want to move to McKinsey in the future (maybe 2 years as a BA 2/Junior Associate)

Would like to know if this will happen and how to avoid specialising too early.

Cheere

16 Comments
 

I was in your shoes when I started at OW many moons ago. Was really disappointed to not have gotten an MBB offer. There are still some MBB-level pockets of work at OW in certain groups and functions and if you are aggressive about seeking them out then you will get staffed accordingly. So, you will get a lot out of them. Further, I never did an FS project.

And, you can still find the exits that you are looking for. I interviewed with and ultimately chose not to go to an MBB. I ended up holding a couple different top notch investing jobs after OW.

 

Ditto to the above. MBB and Top firms, OW included, compete literally for the same work, and the difference in talent quality is minimal.

Focus on doing a good job at OW. The type of work, and exit opps, will be nearly identical. Wanting to jump ship before starting is not a good attitude. You may even hate the job altogether.

Array
 

I will focus on learning at OW. I'm just not sure if I'll end up doing too many FS projects which will back me into a corner where if I want to move to another industry I'll need to take a back step to my career for a bit.

 
Most Helpful

i think coming in with 2 yoe from a well regarded t2 like OW could result in 6 months to a year of tenure credit. that said, the range of EM promotion timings from BA is fairly large, so it doesn't matter that much - if you prove you're capable, then it'll happen quickly, and if you don't, then it won't

you also don't need to wait 2 years - honestly, just apply at 1 year if you're serious about it. 

mbb do not care whether you are specialized or not since 90%+ of new hires come in as generalists anyway. 

 

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