| Topic Name: |
confused undergrad |
| Message Name: |
Advice |
| Date Posted: |
01/08/2000 |
| Message: |
Going to a firm for the pretige factor is a huge mistake. Yes, if you have a choice between McK and local co X, go to McK. But picking MMG, Monitor, Bain and BCG over McK will nto hurt you.
There are a few important things to remember about consulting.
1) You spend a ridiculous moaunt of time with these people and often travel with your co-workers. If you are not happy with corporate culture, your screwed.
2) You learn a lot from your co-workers. They can have a large impact on your career in many ways from helping you get ona good case, writing letters of recommendation. You had better like the people.
3) Different firms give different levels of reposnibility. McK is said to give little repsonisibility to anaylysts, a place like Monitor is completely meritocratic and you will have a great deal of responsibility.
4) All of the internationally recpognized firms have good clients. Certain firms (no names mentioned) willt ell you that Firm X has s terrible reputatio and bad client list. It is not true just a selling tactic. All these firms have pretty good client lists. They are confidential though becuase the nature of thw ork is sensitive.
5) My general view on firms that out down other firms in order to sell you on their firm is dim. If they are such a great place, tell you about their firm and repscect that you ahve the intelligemnce to compare the firms you see. You go to an interview to hear about the firm they are interviewing with and what makes them good for you not a trash talk session on competitors.
6) You are right to be confused. Get the book the Fast Track by Miriam Naficy. it will help you think about things that are important to you and questions to help you find out. Don't be afraid to ask the quetions you want... you are also a consumer!
Suffice to say that you will be miserable if youi pick a firm that is no eight for you. If you want a good culture an dlittle politics, as long as you pick amongst the good firms (Monitor, McK, BCG< Bain etc...) you will be fine.
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