Switch from consulting to tech / quant?

BCG
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Jun 28, 2020 17 Comments

If you’re in consulting / ever considered it and had the skills to succeed in tech, banking, or quant research, would you? Why?

Background: student with junior year internship recruiting coming up. Have been with BCG for last 1.5 years interning so have a shoe-in, but also have a good math/stats/comp sci background. Pretty driven by TC and ease of work.

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TOP 17 Comments
  • I started out in strategy consulting for 3 years then switched to data science. It was a lot easier to excel and get promoted as a data scientist because consulting had trained me to have a good business acumen and product intuition.

    It’s also a lot easier to get a grad role in consulting, vs getting a grad role as a Data scientist (can’t speak for SWE).
    Jun 29, 2020 2
    • BCG
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      OP
      That makes sense - why the switch from consulting to data science? How did you brush up on your technicals?
      Jun 29, 2020
    • I just started preferring more analytical and modeling projects/ having hard numbers to back up our work. I switched halfway through to a modeling/analytics team that was still client facing, that’s where I learnt how to code and do the data science basics.

      IMO, consulting gives you way more exit options, and gives you a fantastic skill set you can take anywhere. It was a lot quicker switching from consulting to DS than working my way up as a junior DS. I did have to work extra on weekends teaching myself stuff to make the jump from consulting to data science though
      Jun 30, 2020
  • Amazon
    bj837sh

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    bj837sh
    You could qualify for a data scientist job but is the comp going to be more than consulting? Generally data scientists get paid less than engineers, and its hard to land swe roles with non-relevant experience. Quant requires at least a PhD or masters with experience too doesnt it?
    Jun 28, 2020 2
    • BCG
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      OP
      That’s what I’m trying to gauge - TC for data science vs consulting and how that changes as career progresses.

      I’ve found quite a few firms that hire quant researchers out of undergrad, and I’ll be graduating with a masters so I’m not too worried about the strict requirements. It’ll just be a lot more interview prep.
      Jun 28, 2020
    • Amazon
      bj837sh

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      bj837sh
      DM me and I can share some more info about data scientists
      Jun 29, 2020
  • BCG
    wsxrfv

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    wsxrfv
    Now (with fully virtual work and no perks) is the worst time to be a consultant, so...anything but consulting
    Jul 1, 2020 1
    • BCG
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      I’d start full time June 2022, so by then everything should be cleared up right? Outside of the recent expense policy change...
      Jul 1, 2020
  • EY
    BL23

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    BL23
    Quant research is not “easy” as you have put it. None of it really is easy, but it depends on what you would enjoy doing more. Tech pays more than MBB consulting if you are a SWE or maybe even a Quant researcher. Data Scientists probably get paid same or less than Consulting in MBB. Landing a Quant role is pretty tough without relevant experience (although if your masters is in CS or Math or Stats that could be easier). I do know ppl who have made the switch from Consulting to SWE but again its not easy without relevant experience. You can try for Data Scientist (not Research Scientist or MLE) roles though, they are easier to land.
    Jun 29, 2020 1
    • BCG
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      OP
      I certainly think QR is the hardest / most demanding of the three in terms of intellectual horsepower needed. I’d definitely enjoy the challenge because I haven’t felt pushed in consulting.

      When you say tech pays more, is that right out of school until retirement? I would think partner at MBB would make more than tech given it’s client facing and you’re driving revenue directly.

      Masters is in stats with math and stats undergrad, so I think I’d have a shot at a tier 2 quant firm. One of my concerns there is exit opps - seems restricted to switching to another firm, getting a PhD to reset, or data science/SWE.
      Jun 29, 2020
  • Depends on your long-term goals. If you really care about TC you should be thinking about what will put you in a place to max TC at 50. BCG is a great brand and is good place to start your career.
    Jun 29, 2020 1
    • BCG
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      OP
      That’s a good point. Any idea what exits look like to FAANG in an internal consulting or strategy group? Also any idea how common exits are into PM work in big tech?

      BCG’s great and I think now pays the best of MBB with nicest perks. Would you re recruit for the McKinsey brand or just stick with BCG?
      Jun 29, 2020