I’m interning at KPMG advisory this summer and I really like it. People are chill and seems like there’s good WLB in my service network. Just wish that the pay was slightly higher. However, I go to a top university (HYP) where there’s a lot of pressure to go to MBB over big 4. Am I really “wasting” my degree by choosing KPMG over shooting for MBB? KPMG
Chief
You tagged a bunch of KPMG people to ask if you’re wasting your life going to KPMG?
The answer is no
The question you need to ask yourself is what environment do you want to be in with your career? So you go for prestige, pay, stress? Or WLB, chill work environment and lower pay?
Rising Star
You can always go mbb and come back to Kpmg. Or you can always start at kpmg and go to mbb from there. Just don’t let memes on this app affect your decision lol, kpmg is a great place to work
Plenty of people have done it and at every level. I’m just thinking of my practice alone in the past ten or so years: we had a Director leave for McK, been a partner several years now, another newly promoted Director is an AP at Bain, a Manger left and is now a Project leader at BCG, newly promoted Senior is at McK, and on and on. Plenty of Partners are there now, but I imagine you’re making the case for nons. Will be easier going forward because these firms are trying to build out beyond just strategy. They’re hunting Big4.
But like I said, silly to do it because of the “name.”
Pro
I think whatever environment you want to work in and that you will learn in is the right answer. If you're learning you're not wasting anything.
Also, it's not like you have an MBB offer in hand so who cares. You can always apply later if you still want to.
I want to agree to this, but I think it'd be easier to first look for MBB right out of college when it's easier and if you don't like it lower the prestige and come to KPMG, unless you're completely sure you prefer big 4 consulting over MBB.
Rising Star
Depends on your priority. Do you want pay/prestige or wlb/culture fit? Some will tell you chase that money and find a good exit, others will say find a good place and money will follow
If we are gonna talk about waste, then you need to define your goals first . Is it money/fame/exit/WLB/like-minded people/type of projects you enjoy…etc.
For many grads, the goals they define before entering into working life might not be what they really want. So going with MBB is a safe route, because the things they provide matches with what many people want (I.e. money/fame/exit…). So if you haven’t figured it out yet, and you actually CAN make it to MBB, go with MBB.
But if you have decided what you really want can be better achieved at any other firms, either Big4/boutique or whatever other industry, just do it.
At the end of the day, like many others said, it’s flexible man. If you don’t like it, just pivot. Whatever decision you make is not gonna destroy your life. Might set you back a year or something, but the thing you gained (like figuring out what you don’t like at all) is still valuable.
Bro just got Mbb then go back to kpmg if u really want
What an IB answer. I agree, but just the whole thing top to bottom
Yes.
If you can reach for better and you refuse to do so, then yes. You’re wasting your degree. If you found a great place to work and truly enjoy what the work is without making excuses, then stop listening to your colleagues or comparing yourself to them.
Rising Star
Wrong answer (referring to the first sentence only)
Own company, Startup, FAAANG, MBB, Big4 sequence
Don’t let other people or perceived expectations rule your life - that is a recipe for unhappiness.
You could always go thru MBB recruiting and see how you like the people/if you secure any offers. Play the field before committing, ya know? Maybe you’ll hate the people you meet or not get an offer and your decision will be made much easier!
Get into MBB if you can, it's easiest to lateral down than up.
It depends on what you want to do. Some things MBB does better than KPMG and some things KPMG does better. Go where the thing you want to do is best, advisory is a big place.
Yes that is a distinction. The way I thought of it was, if you don’t do it at all, and a competitor does, you can’t be better than them at it. Doesn’t matter how you think about it….the same thing goes into play for MBB. They do things that KPMG does not do at all
iv recently been accepted as a assistant manager in advisory what are the working hours like?