| Topic Name: |
Consutling vs. Working in the industry |
| Message Name: |
You decide |
| Date Posted: |
09/18/2007 |
| In Reply To: |
I am a fresh graduate and I have the opportunity to either work with a really big consulting firm or do a masters in nanotech at a good school and prob. secure a position in the field after graduation.
I am wondering if it would be better to work in a technical industry first, get on the field experience and then eventually do an MBA or directly go into consutling right after graduation.
Which do you think would provide more options in the future.
Any input on that matter would be much appreciated. |
| Message: |
There are pros and conbs to either approach. But first, you need to think whether a consulting career is right long-term. Generally speaking, getting recruited from college is a very good way to start. If you've got what it takes, it shortens the "runway". On the other hand, getting good industry exposure for a few years can help you leap-frog the initial stages -- if you are lucky.
It's very difficult to get a job at a good consulting company if yopu've only got a year or two industry experience. This is because you are no longer in college and command a higher salary. On the other hand, a year or two is not enough to earn you the stars to get in. So it may take a little longer. Who knows, you may enjoy the industry career and stick around.
However, be wary of waiting too long. If consulting is what you ultimately want to do, then don't trap yourself by pricing yourself out of the consulting market. It gets more difficult at management level, and near impossible at senior management level and beyond. Remember, the upside of consulting comes later on (senior manager, parner, director level).
The bottom line: if you've got what it takes, the shortest path to partner in consulting (most of the time) is starting in consulting.
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