<p>If you can convince America's biggest corporations that you can solve their problems without actually solving them -- well then you deserve a consultant's compensation.</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>That's right *****es. We'll steal your watch, than tell you your time for profit. :)</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you work for IBM, you'll most likely be doing IT consulting, which is not where most people want to be. Lower-tier firms generally do the IT and operations consulting (Accenture, Deloitte, etc.), not strategy.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I honestly wouldn't mind doing IT consulting. I like programming and tech stuff, so fixing technical issues will be fine with me. Do firms like IBM pay as well as management consulting firms? I mean, I know the pay will be probably less, but is there still plenty of good money to be made by going into IT consulting (btw, Uria, please do not comment about this. I don't need your snotty, repetitive comments because I know all you're going to do is try and convince everyone that I'm just in everything for the money. So please, no comments from you)?</p>
<p>And most of the replies here have been jokes, so in all seriousness, what can I do? I'd like to eventually make it into a good consulting job (especially in management consulting, but IT would actually be even better if I'm making a similar salary), so does anyone have serious comments?</p>
<p>Again, I'm planning on going to either Michigan (1st choice), USC (2nd choice), or University of Washington (last resort), so given that unless I go to UW I'll probably go to a decent school, what can I do with an econ degree to eventually get into consulting?</p>
<p>Also, how hard is it to break into the non MBB firms? Again, I'm not looking for another super hard one to get into, but what are the chances of breaking into the lesser known, but still very solid consulting firms from one of the schools I'll be attending?</p>
<p>An IBM IT consultant isn't in the same league and you won't make money in that league. This is not to say that major consulting firms don't have very highly paid technology consultants. Again, their doing strategy work, not fix it stuff.</p>
<p>Amost impossible to jump from IBM IT to Bain, so give MC your best shot for internships and following undergrad. Than get a top MBA.</p>
<p>well what about firms like LEK and stuff like that? Again, I'm not saying that I have to go to MBB. I don't need THAT much money, and I may be happier working for a prestigious, but not MBB level firm. I've said this numerous times, but as long as I am making decent money before MBA (70-80k), around 6 figs right after MBA, 120k after MBA and 3 years experience, and then have an oppurtunity to make 150k-200k after getting a lot of experience and really pushing myself to be one of the best in my firm, I'll be MORE than happy (and that includes bonuses by the way). </p>
<p>The only thing I keep hearing when I ask about consulting is MBB, but I'm wondering if I can still have a shot at this type of life even if I don't get into MBB or one of those super prestigious firms. </p>
<p>Other people dismiss me as giving up really early, but thats not it at all. I still want to get into those top firms, but I still want to know what my plan B can be since there is a VERY good chance that I won't get into these firms. I'm going to work as hard as I can to reach there, but if it doesn't work out in the end, can I still attain my goals by not going to MBB is really what I want to know.</p>
<p>I know a girl who turned down Goldman for LEK if that gives you an idea. She was going into some medical-type consulting.</p>
<p>What kind of life? I mean there are huge downsides of the MBB life like never being home. Tons of people call themselves consultants and they do myriad things. If you want to be a successful hardware, software, networking, security or whatever consultant, your best route is to go work for a company in that field before your MBA.</p>
<p>there are so many other consulting companies than m/b/b that will give you a great opportunity at the top mba programs. stop complaining.</p>
<p>
[quote]
What kind of life? I mean there are huge downsides of the MBB life like never being home. Tons of people call themselves consultants and they do myriad things. If you want to be a successful hardware, software, networking, security or whatever consultant, your best route is to go work for a company in that field before your MBA.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>See thats why I'm saying, I'm not really sure if I even want to go to MBB. Like I've said, I don't need to be amazingly rich. Being somewhere between 110-130k with enough time to spend with friends and stuff is better to me than making 200k while working ridiculous hours and never seeing people you care about. You can live a fairly lavish lifestyle in this range (correct me if I'm wrong), and as long as I can make around that without having to wait an extraordinary amount of time, I'll be perfectly happy. Thus, I'm wondering if even getting into the "no-name" management consulting firms offers a chance at making that kind of lifestyle, but no one seems to be answering that question. Instead, I'm constantly being berated for being shallow, when really, I'm not nearly as bad as many of the other aspiring consultants out there who want a lot more than I do.</p>
<p>
[quote]
there are so many other consulting companies than m/b/b that will give you a great opportunity at the top mba programs. stop complaining.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Who's complaining? What I am complaining about is how people keep telling me how impossible it is to get into MBB and how crappy your life is if you don't make those types of firms. And again, how hard is it to get into those types of firms you mentioned (by that I mean outside of MBB or others that are at the apex in terms of prestige)?</p>
<p>californialove, i remember you posting in the umich forums as well. there's a reason that a lot of people don't like you.</p>
<p>you just need to chill out and you're not even in college yet. plans and circumstances change. and i highly doubt you have even looked at case interview questions yet.</p>
<p>Well thats just the way I am. I need/like to set my goals in advance and know how to pursue them so that I succeed. If people dislike me because I'm a go getter, so be it. I'm actually pretty laid back in real life, but when it comes to school/career, you're right, I'm a nervous wreck, but hopefully it will all pay off in the end.</p>
<p>you're ridiculously annoying.
don't lash out on people here just because they know more than you. you don't have the slightest idea of who you even are and what you want to do.</p>
<p>that last post wasn't meant to be a lash out, so I don't know why you're taking it that way.</p>
<p>And if you find me annoying, then don't answer.</p>
<p>the_aspirant is the winner of this thread</p>
<p>california_love: GAME OVER</p>
<p>...OK. I don't see how he won, but thanks for the most useless information ever TheFinanceGuy...</p>
<p>Every time you post it's useless. At least I'm only guilty in one post. (Make that 2)</p>
<p>Why the hell do so many threads in business major become flame wars? Debate on a mature and civilized level, not with ad homs. I'm in an argument on Jewish identity at the Penn section and seem to witness the same phenomena.</p>
<p>I don't know. Ask TFG and the_aspirant. For no reason at all they're being dicks, so don't look at me.</p>
<p>californialove:</p>
<p>you should be the last person bashing ANYONE on this forum. it's pretty pathetic how you come here asking for our help and then start giving ***** to other members who have bothered to read your issues. you're fortunate enough that people have actually tried to help all of the 477 threads you've made.</p>
<p>Student1</p>
<p>Yeah, you're completely correct. I realized about an hour after posting that that what I said was a bit uncalled for. I was going to edit that post just now, but then yours appeared. Please disregard that last one, that was pretty dumb of me (and I'm being totally serious, please don't think I'm being sarcastic). The flaming is a bit irritating though. People keep claiming that they answer my questions, but usually all I get are flames, so thats why I say some bad things, but still, its not right for me to do that, and I do apologize.</p>