Deciding On Consulting Or Strategy

Hi, I would love to hear monkeys' thoughts on this decision. I'm most concerned about the nature/breadth of the work. Both options seem to look equally good to business school. If anyone would be willing to chat with me over DM, I'd also appreciate it.

I've already read some other threads on consulting as opposed to strategy and it sounds like the consensus is that consulting generally provides a better springboard for your career than corporate.

10 Comments
 

To be clear, I think the consensus is even when talking about Strategy, consulting is better. Though I think you can't really go wrong; lots of people talk about how much they like the culture and the company-- if you wouldn't have much of a problem staying at strategy. I would personally choose consulting, but I wouldn't think you're a fool to do differently. 

 

Between Strat and consulting, I would give consulting the bump for exits and career progression.

The strategy has great progression if you want to work up, but I would take consulting for more broad exposure to different industries.  

I would give strategy the bump for work life balance and culture.

Overall, I think it is a wash between the two and depends on your preferences (are you willing to work much harder? Do you like the location? etc)

 

FWIW I'm at OW and looking back I'd probably have gone Strategy over OW. I'd agree OW is probably meaningfully better for development and exits, but if you are good with focusing on FS, Strat gives you the same promo and salary path for way fewer hours. Just depends what matters to you.

 

Adipisci quis molestiae perspiciatis provident fugiat quasi. Molestiae alias rem non perspiciatis. Eveniet ea repellendus cum et velit harum sit.

Doloremque qui vitae qui quam in aut. Voluptatibus qui doloribus aut consectetur natus inventore.

Voluptatem voluptatem quam perspiciatis vitae recusandae. Enim repellendus mollitia blanditiis animi eos et. Laboriosam sed eius magni iusto.

Et molestias quo qui aperiam sit qui qui sunt. Id consequuntur ea maiores enim aspernatur. Tenetur non nihil voluptas nesciunt. Officia aut nesciunt sit explicabo esse.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Boston Consulting Group 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Consulting

  • Cornerstone Research 99.5%
  • Bain & Company 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.9%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.5%
  • Boston Consulting Group 98.9%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.4%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.9%
  • LEK Consulting 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $361
  • Principal (30) $294
  • Director/MD (58) $274
  • Vice President (53) $247
  • Engagement Manager (113) $232
  • Manager (170) $173
  • 2nd Year Associate (185) $142
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (116) $135
  • Senior Consultant (355) $132
  • Consultant (642) $122
  • 1st Year Associate (577) $121
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (164) $121
  • NA (16) $114
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (391) $104
  • Associate Consultant (176) $101
  • 1st Year Analyst (1164) $90
  • Intern/Summer Associate (208) $83
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (633) $68
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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
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...”