Serious help needed, and please no snarky answers. I'm attending a top-20 MBA program and was fortunate enough to have received a BCG/Bain offer in non-NYC/SF location, and an offer from what this community generally views as a top-MM in the Midwest Blair/Baird. Which do I choose? Why? Looking for ideas or insights I haven't considered.
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Take Bain / BCG and don't look back. This would be a conversation if you were talking about Bain / BCG vs. a bulge or top global boutique in NY, but a regional MM bank in the midwest? Jesus Christ, just be lucky you got a great consulting offer.
Thanks for the assist man. Thought this might be the consensus, but some extra validation never hurts.
Congratulations on getting those opportunities!
...
If you got William Blair Chicago that is one of the best MMs in the country.
Consulting exit opps with Bain would be a lot better than getting stuck in a post-mba associate role IMO. But depends what you want to do.
Definitely Bain/BCG.
I don’t agree with the others, but I can only speak for Europe. A friend of mine was in a similar situation 1y ago and he ended up in the MM firm in London, deal flow is excellent, higher level of exposure (he has been taking part in meetings since day 1), higher pay, but the main pro is that he is doing what he likes. Imo, here is not a matter of prestige/fit, rather what do you want to do in the next 2-10 years
Firstly, questions are needed. What did you do pre-MBA and what do you see yourself doing for the next 3-4 years?
Bain over BCG, but BCG over MM
IMO Bain / BCG on your resume forever is going to go a long ways. MM only if you're dead set on finance for the rest of your life. Even then, Bain / BCG can get you there.
It goes without saying but these are completely different jobs. Basically impossible to answer without knowing what you are looking to do now and in the future. Both excellent opportunities that can open a ton of doors for you, but what doors are you looking to open?
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Lots of bad advice from both sides here. PM me if you have questions. I did consulting Pre-MBA and am currently at what you described as a top-MM in the midwest. Happy to chat.
Basically - OP needs to make an industry decision. As others have said, banking vs. consulting is very different and will lead to starkly different career paths.
If you're at MBA now - you dont get a 're-do' so its a different decision vs. kids in college. Dont listen to the people who are telling you "BCG and dont look back". If you dont want to do consulting, taking a BCG offer isnt very helpful
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