McKinsey vs. Google Summer Intern?

My friend (MBA in an Ivy school) recently got summer intern offer in Google and McKinsey. She's happy with either choice and want me to post a thread here asking WSO people which offer will you take and which ones look better on your resume with your Ivy MBA?

Quick comparisons of the two summer interns:
1) Google: be in the HQ in Moutain View; pay $12,000 per month (still negotiable since Google really likes my friend and wants her to join the team!!!).
2) McKinsey: in NYC; pay $$10,500 per month (non-negotiable).

Her Google offer is in Finance and Business Strategy division/department, I think. The reason she's debating/struggling between the two is that she respects and loves both companies very much. She can work very long hours (McKinsey) but also is afraid that it's harder to be "promoted" in Google if she did end up working in Google for full-time despite the higher salary and much less working hours.

McKinsey Internship vs. Google Intern

Generally speaking, our users recommend taking the McKinsey offer based on its prestige level, exit opportunities, and opportunities for fast promotion.

captainradioIn terms of brand equity, McKinsey probably edges out GOOG imho. This is also an excellent opportunity to see whether she likes consulting work and the lifestyle, and gets to experience NYC during the weekends. Going from McKinsey to GOOG is easier than the other way around.

Google is excellent on all counts though, and I can unequivocally say that it would be my choice for FT even.

User @animalz" shared emphasized that they would pick GOOG over McKinsey despite the prestige.

animalzI would probably pick GOOG because I simply don’t enjoy consulting much. Although, office politics are going to be pain, even more so for a woman I guess. In terms of brand/prestige and exit opps, McKinsey > GOOG

D M - Real Estate AssociateIf she wants to be a consultant and understands the lifestyle, then McKinsey. Promotions will almost certainly be slower at Google, but if she likes tech, finance, and the company, that is probably the best firm she could work for.

dowankim92Promotions/exit ops are going to be tremendously better at McKinsey vs. Google. Even if McKinsey doesn't love her as much as Google, 10 years in she'll be at 7 figures. IMHO I would go with McKinsey. I'm headed to Goldman only because I was dinged at McKinsey.

You can read more about McKinsey on the WSO Company Database.

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16 Comments
 

What an enviable position to be in.

In terms of brand equity, Mckinsey probably edges out GOOG imho. This is also an excellent opportunity to see whether she likes consulting work and the lifestyle, and gets to experience NYC during the weekends. Going from Mckinsey to GOOG is easier than the other way around.

Google is excellent on all counts though, and I can unequivocally say that it would be my choice for FT even.

 

Thanks for everybody's posts so far; her Google offer is in Finance and Business Strategy division/department, I think. The reason she's debating/struggling between the two is that she respects and loves both companies very much. She can work very long hours (McKinsey) but also is afraid that it's harder to be "promoted" in Google if she did end up working in Google for full-time despite the higher salary and much less working hours.

 

nice position to be in

i would probably pick GOOG because i simply dont enjoy consulting much although, office politics are going to be pain, even more so for a woman i guess

in terms of brand/prestige and exit opps, McKinsey > GOOG

congratz and good luck

 

If she wants to be a consultant and understands the lifestyle, then McKinsey. Promotions will almost certainly be slower at Google, but if she likes tech, finance, and the company, that is probably the best firm she could work for.

"You stop being an asshole when it sucks to be you." -IlliniProgrammer "Your grammar made me wish I'd been aborted." -happypantsmcgee
 

First, Your friend must be fucking brilliant. Second, promotions/exit ops are going to be tremendously better at McKinsey vs. Google. Even if McKinsey doesn't love her as much as Google, 10 years in she'll be at 7 figures. IMHO I would go with McKinsey. I'm headed to Goldman only because I was dinged at McKinsey.

 

McK for sure. She can join Google much later at a better position with McK experience. Moreover, personally I wouldn't work in a tech company doing non-tech work. They are not usually treated that well (in terms of pay/prestige). I'm an engineer so I might be biased.

 
BismarckIf she genuinely doesn't know what she wants to do, McKinsey would be the better choice as it has a good diversity of experiences and pretty well unlimited exit opps. Also looks great on B-School applications.

Bear in mind that you're coming to a finance board....everyone here is pretty biased and likely to recommend McK.

This is for an MBA summer. Plus, I would argue that Google is just as 'sexy' as McKinsey for b-school applications anyway. Maybe even more so, since there aren't quite as many people that apply from Google.

But, in response to the OP, does she know what she wants to do at all? If she thinks she wants to do consulting then go with McK, if she wants to be in tech then go to Google. Not really much of an objective choice to make here without knowing a lot more information.

 

The OP's friend is already in business school; she is not looking for ways to enhance her business school applications.

I would choose Google. MBB hire throngs of students for full-time; doing an internship is far from a requirement, especially if you're going to a place like Google.

The truth is you're the weak. And I'm the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin', Ringo. I'm tryin' real hard to be the shepherd.
 

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