What makes more sense..to work in US or in China??

My long term goal is to open my own strategy consultancy for high tech businesses in Asia Pacific. Currently, my dilemma is if I get a chance to either work in McKinsey(or any consulting firm with US and China operations)@China or McKinsey in US, which makes more sense??
Will working in China will be good enough considering my long term goal in mind?

Any thoughts please!!!

 

You can always start in the US, work a year or two, then transfer to the Greater China regional office for a 1-2 year term for that experience. From there, you can usually stay or come back.

This seems to an increasingly popular trend, as I know several Engagement Managers and Associates who have done the same in McKinsey.

 

You can always start in the US, work a year or two, then transfer to the Greater China regional office for a 1-2 year term for that experience. From there, you can usually stay or come back.

This seems to an increasingly popular trend, as I know several Engagement Managers and Associates who have done the same in McKinsey.

 

Thanks all for the replies!!

kwaconline, Is their any benefit for working in US before eventually moving to China? The flexibility to come back and more money are the only reasons or their are some other benefits also?

Thanks!

 

McKinsey has a much larger presence in China, so that's definitely the firm that would probably be easiest for that transfer to happen. I think they're even opening up an office in Vietnam soon, just rumors for now though.

Generally people go to China from US for the China experience. This is to have more relevant experience when it comes to consulting international or large firms that want to break into China's market. With that said, consulting is generally not as popular in China's culture, more of a westernized concept. So it's actually easier to recruit for US offices vs. China simply based on size.

 
Best Response
kwaconline:
McKinsey has a much larger presence in China, so that's definitely the firm that would probably be easiest for that transfer to happen. I think they're even opening up an office in Vietnam soon, just rumors for now though.

McKinsey is definitely the leader in China! (well, no surprise there ;)

coming from the US there might be another interesting option: Roland Berger is embarrassingly weak in the US, therefore their brand is really undervalued by applicants in the US - which obviously works to your advantage.

In China however, RB is pretty big: 250+ consultants in mainland China Just opened a new office in Hongkong (plus Singapur and Kuala Lumpur) 70% of their customers in China are local, highest percentage of any firm

so, perhaps a plan B if McK doesn't work out!

BTW: I assume you speak mandarin? Otherwise McK/RB China will be very tough to land, I'd actually say in that case you'll probably have to settle for firms which are Tier2/Tier3 in the Chinese market.

 

Do you speak Mandarin?? Consulting firms put a huge emphasis on language skills (duh, how are you going to give presentations and talk to the clients without knowing the language) @kwaconline: it's not a rumors. I'm taking the PST with McK's office this October. Nervous as hell actually!!!!

My formula for success is rise early, work late and strike oil - JP Getty
 

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My formula for success is rise early, work late and strike oil - JP Getty

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