McKinsey after MBA?

Going to be big baller banker now, but wondering about the upside to getting into McKinsey post-MBA as an associate?

To me, McKinsey is the pinnacle of prestige and awesomeness in the business world because it's so damn hard to get in. It's like you need a recommendation from god himself to get in. Yes hyperbole, but I hear it's amazing for landing C-level positions at good firms....

So what's the upside?

 

is the money there though? I realize this was a joke post from Chiang, but do post-MBAs choose McKinsey because of exit ops to other fields? I don't see the allure of spending 6 days a week on the road away from your family. At least in banking you get to go home at the end of the day, albeit its 2AM. Plus, isnt the comp $150K all in? After taxes in NYC that is chump change. This is my uneducated impression. If someone could clarify I would appreciate it.

 
Best Response
PiperJaffrayChiang:
TheRapist:
There's no way you went to a top school.

^ so says the Princeton kid who asked if a McKinsey BA or Deloitte BTA summer position was better

pure gold :P

at op: the reason mcK are so successful isn't coz they're so much better than the other firms (they are really good, but they tend to mess up as often as they get things right - inside info mind you) it's coz they have realized that the #1 asset that provides consulting firms with business is well-positioned, well-pampered alumni. that way, when the ex-McK CEO/COO/CMO or whatever needs to get some "professional backing" to his development plan or whatever, he'll call his friends from the old days, provide a nice fat project, and have his opinions given weight by the worlds "best" consulting firm.

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

Cheer up bankalot, no shiatsu tonight?

I have pledged my life to helping all the ibanking hopefuls of this world, a noble goal if I may so say myself. I'm also here to spread the Chiang dynasty of greatness, bank you very much.

========================================= We are excited to formally extend to you an offer to join Bank of Ameria
 

my point: McK make a point of helping their alumni get central, influential positions in big firms, as an investment.

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

Mostly it's the prestige and the allure of doing "strategy" work (e.g. setting a company's direction, focusing on big picture issues, working with key leaders within an organization) versus starting in a functional role (in corporate jobs) or going the finance route.

Most people don't do consulting for the money (pay is good but not on par with opportunities in banking/principal investments/etc).

Most see consulting as an acceleration to top corporate jobs (you get to skip a few years of grunt work and jump ship after making manager), while a few manage to make partner.

 

i personally crave the relative diversity of the projects - new challenge ever few weeks. wouldn't be able to stand doing the exact same thing over and over and over again. naturally, consulting has it monotonous manual labor, but it's not as bad as most, i'd like to believe.

"... then, lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
 

If you're at McK, you're going to get WORKED. Out of MBB, they work their guys the hardest. A good buddy of mine is an EM there and he works nonstop. Not as bad as banking hours, but significantly worse than BCG/Bain hours. Perhaps he's a superstar, or really inefficient (which I doubt). but the consensus is the same - you will get worked at McK. Regardless, it's a fantastic firm, and you'll have an endless number of exits.

 

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"We are lawyers! We sue people! Occasionally, we get aggressive and garnish wages, but WE DO NOT ABDUCT!" -Boston Legal-
 

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