Research Analyst at McKinsey OR Advisory Consultant Program at EY

Hi,

I have two offers, one from McKinsey as a research analyst, and the other as a consultant in the advisory consultant program at EY.

I want to become a consultant, (it's a long story why I didn't apply for a consulting role at McKinsey).

McKinsey Pros: office environment is much better than EY, people are completely different than people at EY, completely different cultures, and it's a brand name.
EY Pros: consulting role which is what I want

McKinsey Cons: position is research analyst, a bit disappointing.
EY Cons: It's an advisory program, I would prefer a permanent position straight away. Also, I am not sure whether it's worth compromising McKinsey for a consulting role at EY.

Both companies didn't send me the contract yet or any information on the salary. But I assume salaries are going to be similar. However, I want to make my decision based on 3 things:
- Position: which position is better in the long term? AND which position is better currently in term of execution, I don't want to end up doing something boring everyday.
- Work environment: which of those companies has a better work environment? That include: office, people.

I don't know much about EY, even though I've been to their office but I found it difficult to make an opinion. So which one should I go for?

 
Best Response

Because you want to do consulting, I say go with EY. I think the main cause that holding you back to go with EY is because of the McKinsey brand name. Either firm, they have spots in top MBA school if you plan to do it in the future.

I will argue though that McKinsey's office environment is much better than EY (e.g. people and culture). It is different for every office so you cannot generalize. But as long as you're fun and friendly, you wont have a problem with getting along with your colleagues.

I am pretty sure that you wont do a boring job at both roles. Though it is inevitable sometimes.

Is this going to be your first job? Do not worry a lot. You cannot go wrong with either role.

 

Thanks for the replies.

During the first 2 years of the program I will rotate through different teams before I decide which one I want to stick with.

Yes, this is my first job, and I really want to get the right one. And yes I guess you are right, McKinsey's name is what's making this a difficult choice. If it was another company with the same position I would've gone with EY straight away.

My intention, if I join McKinsey, is to work as a research analyst for as much as I have to then move to consulting.

And it's starting to get more confusing, because I just realised there is a difference between consulting and advisory. If I work in advisory I'll have to specialise in one line of service for the rest of my career. If I work in consulting I'll work on different lines of services throughout the year. I don't know which one would I prefer, each has its pros and cons. But that would be a major difference between the 2 firms.

 

Ut id aut eligendi aut ducimus illo. Ut autem id omnis. Quidem voluptatem voluptatum quos sapiente voluptatum harum quia voluptates. Dolores eaque dignissimos consequatur est. Error rem iure expedita ad minima exercitationem.

Ea quam eligendi incidunt molestiae. Sed temporibus autem minus autem. Quam sit quod debitis ex molestiae accusamus. Est corrupti nobis velit provident dolor assumenda blanditiis blanditiis. Sit dicta consequatur reiciendis nobis aut maxime.

Ex qui ut laudantium. Hic ut qui temporibus laudantium consequatur totam. Ut qui hic quia omnis sit. Iusto quia officia enim autem. Itaque ut suscipit quas quo.

Quia non aut in non id provident. Porro delectus aliquam ipsum sint. Officia ut maiores aut sed similique.

Career Advancement Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • Cornerstone Research 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • McKinsey and Co 97.7%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.2%

Professional Growth Opportunities

March 2024 Consulting

  • Bain & Company 99.4%
  • McKinsey and Co 98.9%
  • Boston Consulting Group (BCG) 98.3%
  • Oliver Wyman 97.7%
  • LEK Consulting 97.2%

Total Avg Compensation

March 2024 Consulting

  • Partner (4) $368
  • Principal (25) $277
  • Director/MD (55) $270
  • Vice President (47) $246
  • Engagement Manager (99) $225
  • Manager (152) $170
  • 2nd Year Associate (158) $140
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (108) $130
  • Senior Consultant (329) $130
  • Consultant (586) $119
  • 1st Year Associate (538) $119
  • NA (15) $119
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (145) $115
  • Engineer (6) $114
  • 2nd Year Analyst (342) $102
  • Associate Consultant (166) $98
  • 1st Year Analyst (1046) $87
  • Intern/Summer Associate (188) $84
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (547) $67
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”