Tier 2 Principal in one year vs. MBB project manager now
Greetings to the WSO community.
I am currently a project manager at a Tier 2 firm (one of ATK, OW, RB, S&) and have two options to decide between:
- Stay at my current firm, I am a quite strong performer and chances for promotion to principal in one year are ~80%
- Accept an offer to enter a MBB firm on project manager level
What do you think? Thanks for your perspective.
Personally, I'd stay at your current firm. You have an established network that clearly values you if you are likely to make Principal in a year.
I'd say the differences between the tier you're currently at and MBB are marginal in terms of pay and exit opps. Is the MBB offering anything else you currently don't have at your current firm? Certain cases/subject matter, certain geographies?
I'd pose this question on r/consulting or fishbowl as well. You can get a lot of good responses.
I am a project manager at an MBB.
What is your goal? What is your time horizon for consulting?
If you are leaving in 1 year: Stay at your current job. Nobody will appreciate you leaving after a few months as an MBB project manager, even worse it looks like you couldn't hack it.
If you want a bit more experience, but are leaving in ~2 years: Jump to the MBB! You will get a better brand name, a more challenging experience, probably some personal growth. You'll also get a second alumni network.
If you like the job, and might want to stay long-term to partner, then you should really consider your commercial platform at your current job and at MBB. In general, Tier-2 consulting firms have been doing less well in recent years. Do you think your firm will be strong in the timeframe you would become a partner? If so, I would take an established network and clear sponsors at a Tier-2 versus just starting out at an MBB, especially if you don't have a clear platform there.
Thanks a lot for your views, Grayhairs and anonymouse393.
Specific advantages of the MBB would be:
On the other hand, my current internal network is indeed strong. That would be my main reason to stay.
I definitely want to continue with consulting for the next ~3 years and prove myself in a Principal role. Difficult to really plan further.
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