What’s the difference between BA and consulting?
1
If you left MBB as an SM, EM, PL, etc; and then had to take an unexpected multi-year career break, how would you position yourself coming back? Would you look to down-level in a more relaxed setting? I have offers as an EM, but am nervous about the consulting grind and leading teams right away. Pro of 'relaxed' is I'll have time to catch up on all the 'AI-things' and relearn basic skills. I'm also significantly older than typical cohort given break/life stuff, so worried how it may be perceived
How do you pick projects/decide what practices to focus on? I'm starting soon as a Consultant and I'm trying to figure out what to do. People have suggested finding a lane/niche early and staying there, is this the play? Not sure I want to stay at the firm long, but (a) I'd like to stay long enough that I don't have to be unemployed in a few years and (b) I'm concerned about not being able to get staffed. (C) how early should you start worrying about exits?
How are you a MC and asking questions like this
I don’t know. I was never really curious enough to figure it out
A company hires your firm to provide them temporary resources to do business analysis, you are a consultant. A company hires you full time to do business analysis, no consulting company involved, you are a business analyst
Not always true. Some consulting firms (like McKinsey and Deloitte) have you join as a Business Analyst out of undergrad and Consultant is a more senior level
What?
Honestly idek. That’s why I’m asking. Like I know I’m a consultant, but I do business analysis so why isn’t my title business analyst?
It’s just a nomenclature thing. The titles are different for whatever reason. Not important
In McKinsey: - For client facing roles (80% of the firm), everyone is in consulting / everyone is a consultant - of these consultants, there are several different level of seniority. In general (naming might change slightly based on path): you start as Business Analyst out of undergrad, then Senior Business Analyst, then Associate, then Engagement Manager, then Associate Partner, then Partner.
I appreciate the candor