I just started in consulting about 3 months ago at a pretty respected firm (but not MBB). I got a job in my dream industry, but am weighing the pros and cons. I think leaving consulting would be unfortunate as I would lose out on the fast paced learning environment straight out of undergrad. The other job is my ideal exit industry/role. I think if I stayed in consulting I could potentially re-enter the other industry I'm considering later at a higher level, and maybe grow faster. Opinions?

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If it’s your dream exit and role, go!

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Keep in mind this is a strangers opinion. If you have an opportunity in your “dream” industry, and it’s the exit you’d want later, why not just do it now? You’ll learn more deeply about the industry by being inside it. Your alternative of staying in consulting, and entering that same industry is a future that may or may not exist.

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Either works, Industry will allow you to grow and see a different side of execution beyond theory and projects, integrating with other teams and leading teams.

I started in industry and going to consulting helped me leverage that knowledge and out perform because I understood leaders in industry.

Either way …

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Go for it, life is more than career growth and development. If you’re at a big 4 then it’s even more of a no brainer, staying at a big 4 is extremely detrimental for your long term financial position.

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Go to industry, ive been doing consulting for 3 years, you could always come back but not vice versa.

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But also keep in mind you will not get as much feedback & coaching in industry. If you are still looking to grow your basic toolkit (ppt, coms, exc etc), consulting provides very good „schooling“

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Stay and grow as long as they will have you! Been at a big 4 for last 10 years and started out of college. Best decision I could have made. I have seen so many start and leave and get stalled out in career growth.

What’s the other role?

If you are a consultant now you can always go back from industry. The hard part is jumping from industry to consulting. Make the move see if you like for a year then evaluate.

Depends on the current and alternate role/industry. There is significant risk of more job loss to AI. Risk of unemployment aside, do what you know you’ll enjoy

However, 3 months probably isn’t enough time to accurately gauge how much you actually like consulting. You’ve probably been on one engagement - which isn’t representative of a consulting career. I liked consulting because of the variety- working on an entirely new project every few months is rewarding to me.

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