Starting at Strategy& London in September and WSO is scaring me off
Hey!
I have an offer from Strategy& London office after my Masters, starting in September for their M&A practice and after reading all that people write on here I am absolutely terrified and I am questioning my life choice. I had no MBB interviews and this was seemingly the better package as M&A and growth projects appear to promise great exposure and turnaround without travel. The people seemed great and all the associates I talked too said that it is around 55 hours a week and no weekends ever.
Not sure this applies to the London office alone but their growth figure from last year was incredible and they are sold out constantly. My ultimate goal is a strategy role in a tech firm or MBB and then exit in industry.
How decent would my exit ops be? Can I realistically get an MBB move later on??
I need some comfort people :(
As others have said those are for the US offices. Those comments are also out of date.
I think those were blown out of proportion. There is a bunch of consultants who talk about firms on Fishbowl and S& seems to be in tip top shape amongst the T2 firms (EYP, LEK, OW, ATK).
As someone close to that team I can tell you that they work less compared to other DD shops such as LEK. There is turnover, but mainly on the junior end for exits to corp strat/PE.
I think one of the biggest issues with S& is not the quality of the people or the exit opps or the hours, but the general underdog complex so many of our most junior consultants have.
How often do you think our peers at comparable firms like LEK, OW, and Kearney (which are all fantastic shops) worry about this crap?
You have answered your own questions: "their growth figure from last year was incredible and they are sold out constantly." "The people seemed great and all the associates I talked too said that it is around 55 hours a week and no weekends ever."
If you are seriously this worried about your exit opps and transferring to MBB, and not about doing a good job here (which you have taken for granted), then let me be frank: we do not need people like you here. You need to bring your A-game to Strategy&, or you will be counseled out. We want people who will either be great partners or great clients someday, not someone who's looking for every chance to jump ship.
Do you really think the same firm that counts the CEOs of Toyota and Skype, and both Alex Oliver and Bill Wyman (of OW fame), among the ranks of their alumni would not be good enough for you? Give me a break.
Hey,
Was once a Manager in S& London, having joining at grad level. Understand your concerns about what you have read, a few thoughts:
I think you'll really enjoy it here. Don't get too caught up on what you read on the forums, enjoy your Summer and look forward to getting involved.