Supply Chain Management vs Boutique Consulting offer
TLDR; Need professional advice on evaluating top-tier supply chain management vs sector-specific boutique management consulting as career starter
To give some background - I'm graduating from one of the best Indian engineering target schools for consulting with a great GPA (>9/10). Most of my profile is a mixture of consulting internships (Boutique), entrepreneurial work and a whole lot of academic research work.
Recently interviewed for M but could not make it past the last partner interview (BB chose not to hire through campuses this year; didn't have the connects for a partner referral). I've ended up with an offer from a big supply chain firm (think, biggest worldwide) for their flagship management role (call it O1), and also an offer to join a Boutique consulting firm (call it O2 - Tier 2.5-3, mostly focused on Japan and just 1-2 sectors, one of which I have a degree in).
I've enjoyed my consulting experience and the structured thinking aspects of it, and I do think it is a career I can play out till my early 30s - however I'm not sure which offer to continue with. I've listed the pros and cons that I see, and happy to get more perspective on this:
O1:
Pros - Huge brand, leadership role, better WLB, role/location rotation (international possible), exit to consulting post MBA
Cons - Factory posting, no previous exposure to supply chain, probably not the most exciting/forward-looking sector
O2:
Pros - Management consulting, in-line with my profile, international clientele, cutting-edge projects (Japanese expectations)
Cons - Limited scope / lower ticket-size projects, only one-two sectors, may have to exit to T2/T1 consulting for more learning
A few disclaimers:
1. I will try for an M7 MBA down the line, for international exposure, economics/finance background building and better access to leadership roles. I am not over-indexing on this as a decision-making factor, but brand-value, the bias for consulting (not sure how much, in my case) and leadership experience become frequent thoughts. I am aware of a bias for female candidates in operations management (O1) for M7 MBAs, however I do not doubt that I can be exceptional with time.
2. I spent a good chunk of time and effort trying to get into M, and would love to give M a try again post an MBA (given their hiring model, only option that seems realistic).
3. Even though I would love for my professional profile to compound, I'm not a stickler about becoming a sectoral expert at 25 vs at 35. Diversity of exposure and learning are my priorities.
4. Alums have made it to M7 schools from O2, but mostly after a few switches to T1/2 consult or BD roles. O1 is a popular school for M7 due to brand.
5. I find most corporate work boring so I'm less picky in terms of operations management (O1) vs management consulting (O2) as fields, and feel I can adapt to whatever's served for dinner if it's worth it.
I would love to hear from ex Supply Chain Management leaders; I know consulting is full of them.
Et et est rerum tempora. Nesciunt doloribus et qui adipisci dolor iste. Inventore officiis occaecati aut aut molestiae. Fugiat molestiae exercitationem aut fuga ut illum.
Odio harum molestiae aut consectetur. Vitae excepturi culpa perspiciatis sequi rem vel deserunt ab.
Earum tempore minus recusandae voluptatem repudiandae tempore vero. Amet assumenda dolores debitis libero. Eaque aut sunt atque sed. Quisquam facilis et quaerat. Eveniet ut qui nemo neque voluptatem accusantium. Qui esse nam quia beatae et ullam.
Et quasi quisquam quia rerum ut. Tempora consequatur dignissimos dicta velit est. Doloribus nesciunt amet vero omnis. Maiores omnis hic sunt. Placeat aliquam quis ut et commodi dolorum. Quia laboriosam architecto assumenda repudiandae iste voluptas asperiores.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...