<p>I'm a junior business major at USC, 3.3 GPA, concentrating in either Information Systems, Operations Management, or a split concentration where I take half my classes in IS and half in OM. (I was actually originally going to concentrate in finance, but the industry tanked and so I switched to my current concentration.)</p>
<p>I am beginning to think seriously about finding a job, and it seems that the most prestigious firms are in investment banking and consulting. I don't have the GPA for investment banking, but consulting was recommended to me and I think the highly paced, challenging environment would be a great fit. I don't think I'd be competitive for firms like Bain or McKinsey but maybe mid-tier firms like Protiviti or BearingPoint would be a good fit.</p>
<p>The one thing that is somewhat of a dealbreaker for me in both Investment Banking and Consulting is the long hours and somewhat mediocre entry level salary of 50-60k. This is okay, but when one takes into account that consultants work 50-60 hour weeks plus travel this doesn't seem so hot.</p>
<p>In any case, I am seeking advice. Should I look into positions in Fortune 500 companies? Are there any consulting firms that have roughly 40 hour weeks? Outside of investment banking and consulting, are there any career paths that have high salaries and good opportunities for advancement?</p>
<p>If it's important, I owe my mom about 50k in tuition loans that I will slowly have to pay off, so an MBA isn't realistic for maybe 6-10 years.</p>
<p>It is far easier to advance in positions that require you to work long hours. </p>
<p>Consulting companies will require you to work long hours. Perhaps there are some boutique firms that require less, but generally when the economy turns south they will require there employees to work more than promised.</p>
<p>Why not consider working for a startup? The potential upside there is great and your chances of advancement are much greater than someone who works for an established fortune 500.</p>
<p>Note: IB pays & work more than consultants but consultants travel frequently more than IB. </p>
<p>There's other options and since you are more on tech you be tech analyst or trader, hedge fund, wealth/asset management, or tech consultant. Just continue to look for more options.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses. I think working for a startup is a route I should look into. Insurance is another option, thanks for that suggestion. As syncastar mentioned, I will continue to look into other options.</p>
<p>To clarify, I don't mind the travel so much, only the long hours. This past summer I did an internship that was 40 hours a week that was somewhat leisurely work, and towards the end of the workday I would get antsy and impatient, so I anticipate having trouble focusing for 60 hour weeks. When I focus I am amazingly productive but I can't maintain that focus for long periods of time.</p>
<p>Working 40 hours a week as a corporate cog can feel like an eternity. </p>
<p>Working 60 hours a week as an instrumental part of a rapidly developing business, on projects you design and direct yourself feels like time is flying by.</p>
<p>sfgiants, there's not many financial institutions that allows workers to work 40 hours a week. Maybe Europe & some companies that are having a bit of a slowdown. But reality its a no! Especially with workaholic Americans whom work their asses off just to receive an 50k-80k salary.</p>
<p>nauru: that's understandable but at the same time I want a good work life balance and be able to spend time on my other hobbies and interests, girlfriend, etc..</p>
<p>Japher: Thank you for the suggestions - for Supply Chain Management I will take a class next semester so that will be a good time to see whether or not I like it. Business intelligence is not something that I had heard of but after googling it it sounds intriguing, thanks.</p>
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nauru: that's understandable but at the same time I want a good work life balance and be able to spend time on my other hobbies and interests, girlfriend, etc..
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<p>Exactly. It's good that you recognize the trade-off early on, between doing work you find personally fulfilling, and spending time on gf family and hobbies. Depending on what you consider deeply fulfilling work, there may not be enough hours in the week for everything. The work I tend to find most fulfillng tends to require the greatest commitment in terms of hours to do it well.</p>