I know this is dumb but starting as an analyst at 25. :( can’t help but think about having to hang out with recent grads and how i’m gonna relate to them.

This might sound a little ridiculous on the face of it, but I think I know what OP means. When I started here, I was 29 and had been working elsewhere for 8 years already. When we went through orientation, I was picked up at the airport with 5-6 fresh college grads.

The hour drive to the office, they were talking about how exciting it was to have their first real job, how they couldn’t wait to get their first paycheck, what they were going to spend it on, what they thought the job would be like, etc. it was fine, but obviously not the same experience that I was having

I don’t think it’s a problem. In my opinion, it’s only a problem if you constantly keep telling people about it. I know this one guy who started at 25 too and not a lot of people liked him because he thought he was too “mature” to hang out with us 22-23 year olds lol and was very vocal about it.

Besides you’re still a baby to anyone senior consultant and above lmao

Dude - I started consulting at 33, you’ll be fine

It’s quite simple. Just go binge drink with them

Lol. You’re a recent grad.

There are Managers I know here who are 26 and 50s. It’s okay OP! Everyone starts somewhere. It’ll hardly matter once you’re off and running on projects. Good luck!

Fair, but on the bright side — you’ll be so much better at dealing with clients than kids coming straight out of undergrad

I’m 25 and the new associates are by far the most enjoyable and fun to be around. What exactly do you mean?

I started as an entry-level consulting analyst at 25 as well. Jokes about me being the only one not on parental health insurance aside, no one cares how old you are, and many of the friendships I made in my start class are still going strong 8 years later.

I started as an analyst at 26 and loved it. You get the benefit of your managers instantly thinking you’re more mature than your peers -plus a social group to party with on Fridays... and on the client site..

Waiting for someone to jump in and say how they became a partner at 24 lol

Embrace your inner Zaddy

OMG kill yourself. JUST KIDDING. I went back to get my BA at 28 (undergrad at Columbia at that age makes you feel OLD AND STUPID) and went into consulting at 32. Age is NOTHING but a number... but this is also something I didn’t learn until well into my 30s. Recognize what your age brings to the table and have PATIENCE. Also, my trajectory was miles different than the young folk, FYI.

Started as an analyst at 28, you’ll be fine

I started as an analyst at a Big4 at 25 and am an SA at 34 which is several levels above. I had hitches, failures and wins. It’s about performance.
This is the only profession where age doesn’t matter all that much. If you’re smart, driven, and able to manage well, you’ll be fine.

Started as a SBA lateral at 29, I am consistently impressed and sharpened by the 22-25s BAs I started consulting with. As long as you don’t have an ego, you’ll find they are more than relatable—and there’s a ton you can learn from them.

I’m 24 and one of my best friends at the company is an MD. Don’t put an emphasis on age and you’ll make genuine friendships across the board.

Don't hang out with them

Yo if you’re 25 don’t worry about it