<p>I have always assumed, despite the constant travel, the hours in consulting were better than in i-banking. However, I have reading lots of the material on Vault's website and the authors discuss how brutal the hours are (specifically mentioning continuous 80 hour work weeks) in consulting. Is this usually the case in strategic consulting? I had always thought the typical work week was 55-60 hours, while banking was more like 65-70.</p>
<p>Don't worry buddy, you won't get into either.</p>
<p>Thanks man, no blog would be complete without your two cents worth of optimistic encouragement. I guess if I fail, I can go a different route like accounting. Nothing is more enjoyable than counting someone else's money. I appreciate your knowledge and wisdom. I'm sure you will lead a more fulfilling life than the rest of us impractical ones.</p>
<p>no need to take dawgie's comments seriously, cause we all know we'll end up in a better place than him.</p>
<p>so back to the original question....</p>
<p>"ya dig"</p>
<p>shout out to weezy f baby!!</p>
<p>Working 55-60 hours for consulting is average, even at top firms. Consulting generally has better working hours than IB, but the travel adds up, so the level of stress is really no different. There are probably some weeks where you work like a banker, though. However, consulting firms actually try helping you maintain a work-life balance, unlike banks, which couldn't care less. They tend to have better policies about things like that. </p>
<p>The better career depends on what you want to do. If you like financial analysis and following the stock market and keeping up with deals, IB is the way to go. If you like investigating/solving complex problems and presenting ideas and solutions, strategy consulting is the way to go. Both require superior analytical and quantitative skills. Even in consulting, you'll be using financial models. Both jobs will require you to do a lot of industry research. IB pays more, particularly due to the bonus. Also, IB gives you in-depth training in finance, while consulting gives you a broader skillset. Consulting firms might pay for your MBA if you come back for a few years. IB generally does not. Those are the main similarities/differences I can think of. You'll know if you're fit for consulting by preparing for the interviews. If you can handle the case interviews, that's a good sign.</p>
<p>By the way, banking is not 65-70. It's more like 85-90.</p>
<p>Also, what you do in banking appears in the news. Every deal you work on pretty much shows up in the WSJ. In consulting, you can help solve the most complicated issue in the history of management, but once the project is over, don't expect anyone outside your firm to know what's been going on.</p>
<p>Student1, a better place? Like what Investment Banking or Consulting? LAUGH! Having no life besides working all day is a better place? If that's true you are a sad sad individual kid. </p>
<p>I'm working at a decent firm with a good reputation, but who cares that's not what life is all about anyway loser. </p>
<p>Harvardman1988: F bentley all you want, the highlight of my life won't be where I studied books for four years, perhaps maybe that will be yours?</p>
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Student1, a better place? Like what Investment Banking or Consulting? LAUGH! Having no life besides working all day is a better place?
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<p>I wouldn't say consultants have no life (can't comment on IB'ers). It's really what you make of it. Most of the consultants I know live by the "Work hard, play hard" mantra. So, yes, they work their asses off. However, they party their asses off too and often travel to cool locations. This lifestyle isn't for everyone but can certainly be enjoyable. If you actually enjoy your work, I don't see a major issue with working long hours.</p>
<p>On the flip side of that, I worked in "industry" for 5 years and saw people with quite miserable lives. Most had to drive 1.5 to 2 hours roundtrip to work and back each day (because they couldn't afford any of the close areas with good school districts).</p>
<p>Late on Fridays there would be a party at work. While most people with lives want to get the hell away from work on Friday, these people were looking for any excuse to not have to go home to their fat spouses and whiney kids.</p>
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i bet dawgie was the f@ggot that threw a waterbottle at T.I. watch out for them plainclothes out thur, they still got 50 thou on yo head, nig.</p>
<p>f bentley, ya dig?
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<p>You're an idiot.</p>
<p>apples vs. oranges</p>
<p>Only at Bentley, folks, only at Bentley.</p>
<p>I was just sorry I wasn't the one who threw the water bottle at him.</p>
<p>You won't get in either. But don't be so surprised when your life dream doesn't come true! 98.24% of this forum will not get in either!</p>
<p>Me? I don't want to be an investment banker - it's not my bag. </p>
<p>Anyway, you're not the only Bentley person around these parts, so comments about the school are tongue-in-cheek and chock full of Bentley love.</p>
<p>you cited that number numerous times, Dawgie. out of pure curiosity, where did you get it? how is it computed?</p>
<p>Hey guys...Dawgie works for one of the "BIG 4" in accounting...I would actually be surprised if many people here do better than that in life...but Dawgie, keep it down will you, some people just have to figure out the hard way, i hate it when you ruin their surprise.</p>
<p>Guys, I know that not everyone will be able to get into consulting or banking. But if someone works hard enough and networks his/her butt off, then who's to say they can't get in. If I want to go into one of those fields, I am not going to back down. No statistic is going to slow me down; it will just fuel my passion.</p>
<p>GOOD....FUEL....Costs about 2.89 per gallon in P-town...</p>
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you cited that number numerous times, Dawgie. out of pure curiosity, where did you get it? how is it computed?
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<p>I'll break it down for you real simple. 98% of the students at his school can't get in to consulting/ibanking. Therefore, 98% of all students on this forum can't get in to either.</p>