How true is it that people that stay in consulting long term are the middle of the pack? (The bottom get cut and the top move on to other endeavors)

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There’s some impressive partners who would definitely kill it elsewhere so this is clearly not universally true.

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Yeah this is absolutely true. if you’re the top of the pack why do you want to be 40 with a wife and kids and flying to cincinnati every week

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Nobody likes the bun but everyone loves the meat

likesmart

I feel it's true - MANY top performers have left our firm and the only ones remaining are mediocre folks. I would leave too if I wasn't constrained by my H1b extension (fun times)

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I think I’m pretty high caliber and I prefer consulting. I like the variety, the intensity, and frankly, the wealth. I have to manage being away from my family, but it’s fine since they are super supportive. I did a stint in industry and it wasn’t for me; this is the industry where I belong.

That said, it’s not for everyone and I don’t judge folks who move on, just as I trust people who move on don’t judge my career decision.

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I don't think it's specific to consulting.

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No. I know folks that are "stars" and stayed long term so I don't think you can make a general statement.

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A2/BCG1–I take offense to the both the “empty people” and “not particularly caring for kids” assertions. I’m sitting here (very sleepy) after hosting 9 girls for a sleepover for my 9-year-old daughter’s birthday. Later today, I’ll be manning the Girl Scout cookie booth and tomorrow I’ll engage in a job that I love.

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A2 because what other firms pay this well? Sure I could go into PE or IB, but I'd be working even longer hours.

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I would say generally the statement is true with one small change: There is a small fraction of top performers that stay that senior leadership has identified as top talent. They stay because they are rewarded and recognized (promotions, top projects with visibility, etc) and feel they have a shot at making it to the top. So yes, in the end you’re life with a lot of folks in the middle led by some super smart and hard working folks.

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Bcg1 impressive partners maybe but generally empty people. Genuinely believe the smart ones get out while the gettings good and find something better for their family. Exceptions sure but mostly seems true

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P1 you don't fit my definition of "staying" long term, you made the choice as a boomerang. Many just stick around because they can't get an industry job because they aren't cut out for true leadership

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I believe it. Smart talented people don’t stay....consulting amasses the dependable ‘average’

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Consulting is a skill set and a career path. Industry is a different skill set and career path. There is no one 'best path' for everyone and their family. Let's respect each other's personal choices please without inferring that industry is better/not better and that people in it are smarter/not smarter. Lots of acting like this is a math problem with one 'right' answer. This is life--each person can determine what is the best decision for their personal goals, ambition and situation.

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From my experience very true, especially in strategy

Depends on the "pack" and career objectives. Sometimes people want to stay in consulting and move up fast if they're good. At big4 it seems easier to stick around vs move to industry to a "good" role; lots of cost center roles out there that take big4 but not as many go to more sexy roles.

The ones that seem middle of the pack stay in consulting and don't move up very quickly. It is possible to stick around without being a high performer for quite a while, at least in my experience.

K1--I don't think people stay just because they can't get an industry job/cut out for true leadership. I worked for a variety of firms prior to coming to 'big' consulting and prefer the variety of clients, diversity of roles, and constant personal growth and evolution. The roles I could exit into would bore me after a year, and they would give me far less opportunity to lead transformative change, which is what I really enjoy doing. Realize that this is a unique job--some people enjoy it as a career and for others, it simply isn't the right choice long term.

A4 depends what level you are - if by SM you haven't been able to find a cool, meaningful leadership role in industry they probably don't think you can hack it and aren't recruiting you (client hire or market)

Empty people? Does wanting a hard charging career and not particularly caring for kids and so forth make one empty? Seems judgmental

Amazing the road generalizations people are making about life long consultants. It's those life long consultants who are no good or mediocre who keep selling work for you to work on our mediocre projects. Remember that. BCG2 I am with you!

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