Big 4 tech consulting or Credit Rating Agency (structured products) for future MBA?

Hi WSO,

I'm a senior at a state school with a decent reputation. I have a 3.6 GPA in accounting and management information systems. My previous internship experience is in back office strategy at GS and at a large Fortune 500 company. I currently have offers from a big 4 and a CRA.

At the Big 4 I'll be doing tech consulting for financial services firms. CRA will have me performing research on structured products.

I like the CRA better as I believe it has better exit opps in banking/equity research and could position me better for an MBA. It's also something I believe I'll enjoy more. Big 4 on the other hand pays $10k more and comes with internal mobility and exit opps as well. the Big 4 has more name recognition, but the job just doesn't interest me. I need the money, and that 10 k makes a huge difference.

If I'm targeting top 10-20 b-schools will they favor one job/company over the other? I would like to do consulting or equity research eventually. Both involve advising clients and also come with a good amount of quantitative and qualitative analytical skills. Big 4 might set me up for consulting in the future after b-school, and Moody's would be good enough for equity research/structure products banking without b-school I think.

Can anyone help me out with what b-schools would like to see more, or what steps I should take when I am at those specific firms?

 

Moody's

IT consulting is not going to "set you up" for consulting in the future, at all (it is completely irrelevant and looked down upon).

Moody's is a much better brand, will give you financial skills, maybe some interesting industry experience as well (usually they place analysts into industry groups, not sure if structured products are different).

 

I don’t have personal experience with this, but I know of at least one person who went from a credit PE fund to ER with no MBA in between, after doing undergrad at a semi-target with a non-finance major.

"There's nothing you can do if you're too scared to try." - Nickel Creek
 
Best Response

Debitis qui blanditiis distinctio optio corporis optio omnis. Deserunt eos recusandae eveniet nemo. Cumque quos quos natus illum veniam odio veniam. Quasi accusamus pariatur omnis libero autem molestiae veritatis.

Quae sapiente id quo corrupti sit distinctio consequatur. Atque et minus autem atque. Voluptate consequatur voluptatem unde ut ullam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”