MBB network
I'm currently at AWS, working as a solutions architect (technical presales). I'm considering a career switch to consulting and wondering about the value of MBB network. How was the C level network you made at MBB? How was the consultant network 5 years out?
I don’t work for MBB, but can say the value of an MBB network is incredible. Often, the C-level network isn’t made while working in consulting, but rather building up a network of people who will become C-level. That being said, while I’m at D, I already know several people that are C-level at financial and transportation organizations. In short: the number of C-level people in your network isn’t necessarily made at MBB, but future C-level people are met. Also, feel free to DM with more questions. Switching to MBB isn’t usually as easy as applying, sadly :(
Will do! I have a lot of ex McK friends saying they'd be willing to help, but I worry that I'm getting a biased picture. I'm also considering going to HBS or INSEAD for business school. The opportunity cost is very high though. After another promotion my total comp would be roughly 300k in a major US city, and that promotion should happen within 2021.
How many years of experience do you have? What are ur gripes of being SA?
I have 4yoe and I'm on track to make senior SA in 2021. My undergrad is a BS in CS from a top 5 school. My gripes are around having to help people who are making terrible decisions and who don't understand business fundamentals. The problems my customers face are often much deeper than the technical problems they're trying to solve, but I'm not in a position to push them on that. Also, the long term outlook of the role is a career in tech or maybe a director position within a technical sales org. I've realized that tech people are one of my least favorite thing about tech, and both of those options are unappealing.
LOL if you can’t put up with dysfunctional clients and incompetent people then consulting ain’t it for you, chief.
Ex MBB here. Here's my 2 cents. I'd recommend you staying at amazon or lateral to other FANG. The McK network isn't worth the pay cut you're gonna take + the shitty lifestyle. Vast majority of your MBB colleagues will exit to F500. Some will go to FANG and a very very small percentage might be outliers like Sheryl Sandberg, Sundar Pichai, etc. The F500 ones are prob little value to you (assuming you're looking to progress in top tech), the other ones are no diff than your existing colleagues at amazon now.
Be careful that what you said here still holds very true in MBB. "My gripes are around having to help people who are making terrible decisions and who don't understand business fundamentals. The problems my customers face are often much deeper than the technical problems they're trying to solve, but I'm not in a position to push them on that." Most clients are clueless and the partners are equally clueless but are better at hiding it 😉
So it’s a truly fantastic network - but one question, what are you planning on using this network for? What are your end goals? Most of the companies we consult for are F500 non-tech, so it won’t ever land you a senior position at a tech company.
Starting a professional services business targeting digital transformation at both a strategic and technical level
@txla03, the last point clearly not true given the size or scope of the TMT practice - nor actual exits to big tech, startups, or VC