SWE to Consulting (MBB)
I want to switch from Software Engineering to Management Consulting. About myself: - I graduated from the EECS program at Berkeley 1.5 years ago. - I’ve been working as a SWE in Azure for the past 1.5 years. Why I want to switch: I’ll be frank - I don’t quite enjoy sitting behind a desk coding all day. My friends who I went to undergrad with (the ones who majored in Econ/business) are all in consulting / IB and although they don’t make as much money as SWE, they travel a lot and get to stay in nice hotels; they’re constantly socializing and meeting clients thus expanding their social networks; they’re learning a ton about multiple industries across many different verticals……stuff that actually matters to the world. Also in the short-term, they’ll start making more money than me BECAUSE: 1. They’re all preparing to go get an MBA which is PAID for by their firms (Bain, BCG, McKinsey etc) 2. They’ll go back as Associates making about $190k out the door with opportunities to make even more 3. They’ll continue doing enjoyable work that involves MEETING people My plan: 1. Apply to MBA programs with them so I can get a two year vacation and RESET my career 2. Go into MBB/IB I’ve been doing my own research and the best strategy is to just apply for MBA programs and then switch from there as it’s easier, especially if I get into an M7. I’ve been taking GMAT mock exams and I’m currently consistently scoring 710+. I intend to bump this to a 750 as I’ve always been a good test taker. SWE is just not for me. I want to be out there with people doing things that matter. Desks and WFH are suffocating me and I feel as if I’m missing out on a better life out there. Plus I like wearing fancy clothes (nice looking suit and a watch) looking all corporate and stuff, not wearing a t-shirt and shorts at home writing code that takes hours to just run a simple pipeline to deploy. The possible jump to consulting is the only thing that’s keeping me going. Am I shootings myself on the foot? TC: 2022: 200k with sign on 2023: 190k with sign on 2 2024 (before MBA): 165-170k sign on ends
Why not just join as an experienced analyst right now? Get your friends to get you an interview and help prep you. Or go to bschool right now and join as an associate straight in.
This is the plan. MBA -> Associate. It looks like all consultants get MBAs anyways so I might as well go right in
Worked in consulting before moving to tech. Frankly, it’s lot more work. Husband is still in consulting and works 80 hour weeks regularly when he’s on a case. Exit opps are good but really dependent on what firm you worked at or try to stick it out to make partner. Also - he works at a firm where they travel less but I’m not sure if others went back to traveling as much as they used to.
The problem is not that you work in tech industry but you’re working for Microsoft(🥜), grind LC and crack the interview for some highTC companies is your best way out.
I don’t think it’s any different since it’s still the whole wake up and stare at a computer. Consulting has some variety: clients, travel etc.
DM me if you want to chat. you’re having a solid case of “grass is greener” (1) MBB pays are highly uncompetitive now (2) Post MBA/MBB only way to make SWE money is viaPM (3) The lifestyle is glamorous on paper, sucks IRL No solid opportunity (except PE) is gated by MBA. If you said you wanted PE, I’d understand. It’s ridiculous to to do all this to switch into MBB. And to think that their work actually matters is bonkers. I’ve been there, trust me. If you really hve it in you go build something. You have the skill set and you are young. Dont waste your time and potential like your friends are.
Are you in product or SWE at LinkedIn? Also, does PE pay more?
MBB—> Strategy & OPs —> PM. PE pays orders of magnitude more. 350k 2yoe 700k 4 yoe 3-6M 10-12yoe
Management consultants are nothing but pretentious PPT monkeys
For M7 highly recommend: - Kaplan on demand online program for the GMAT. Way better than self study because of the strategies they taught me. Ended up with a 750 on the first try. - Admissions consultant. Maybe you have friends that are MBA grads that can seriously help you but I didn't. I used Alex from "MBA Apply" and got interviews at HSW plus a few other M7. Pricey but I got in a few places so definitely worth it.
How did you survive Berkeley EECS if you don't like coding? That is a very tough program from what I've heard.
That I don’t like it doesn’t mean I can’t do it.
Consulting is undergoing major layoffs right now. Not the best time to make the switch. Moreover, generally most folks move away from consulting to tech/industry due to bad wlb and lower pay. Bizarre that you want to go the other way. Not trying to dissuade you but be informed before you jump from a warm pan into the frying pan. Churn and burn rates are very high. MBB has an up or out policy as well. Cream of the crop at H/S/W all end up at PE/VC, then tech and finally only then consulting (usually international students as they sponsor). Good luck.
The $190k starting salary ur referencing in your post is for the cream de la crème of t7 mba grads. The salary IT mid levels start at highest is bcg, they’ll get you in at either $110k or $140k at bcg x. Then mckin’s quantum black has the most prestige but they’re the pickiest, also is almost entirely a Python dev shop. Then bain is starting to beef up and invest heavily in their “advanced analytics org” but they don’t have nearly as many office locations in the US as bcg or mck and are very hardcore “if u work for us u work in an office” kinda firm —source— I spent a couple years antagonizing the MBB employees in the mbb bowl on fishbowl bc I was bored and hyper-focused on those firms for some reason.
I’m not going to do IT. Dude, I’m switching to CONSULTING not IT lmao.
Ur in IT right now. U don’t think they’d want to use that knowledge you gained from Microsoft while you’re there? Have you not seen the posts about how all the MBB’s are holding back on mba hires bc they have too many? And they are hiring more on their developer side bc there is a shortage…?
I'm ex MBB now in tech. Bro, don't do it!!! They will work you 2x the number of hours and give you 60% of your SWE pay. And your exit options are pretty lukewarm. Do you want to become a Head of Strategy for some boring ass mining company for what's equivalent of a mid-career SWE (if you're lucky that is)? Trust me MBB are dying to transition into tech. The grass is NOT greener on the other side. You don't know what you have!
Don't do it mane
Also you might be able to do it without the MBA
I don’t know anything about consulting. I think an MBA will give me a good starting point. Plus every one in consulting gets one at some point anyways