Pros and cons of doing PE after 2 vs 3 years at MBB? Feeling a bit anxious to move on after my first year in MBB especially after some enticing offcycle emails, and I’m confident about my ability to get through the interview. However, feel like I haven’t gotten a chance to make the most of my time at McKinsey yet, and there are some cool opportunities in the third year. Haven’t mastered the consulting skill set fully either due to WFH. Would love to hear how other people have thought about this!

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The other thing to consider is that from my perspective, consultants who leave after 3 vs 2 years tend to, on average, get better exits. Could just be more maturity in interviews and more DD experience

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3 year at the firm too, just moved in to a PE fund. Honestly, I just think the ability to drive workstreams, framing conservations, manage perceptions, mitigating stress is at a different level. Though I am still struggling catching up on the modeling side lol (disclaimer: this is day 2 at training)

The firm lol

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Did 3 years at McKinsey before moving to UMM PE. DM me

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Was told by a former banker at an UMM fund that his consulting peers who came in with 3 years of experience vs banking peers with 2 just had an extra edge in terms of professionalism, ability to manage responsibility, work with leadership, etc. I think there’s real value in staying for a third year.

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Can you model

BCG2 those are funds that DO require a model

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Do you have an offer?

No I’m wondering if I should take off cycle interviews. It’s at firms I would want to work at, so I don’t want to interview now if I decide I would rather wait a third year

In terms of trajectory, just go ahead and recruit. Makes no sense to wait. You’ll get 0 credit in PE for the extra year of consulting. In terms of fulfillment, maybe it’s fuzzier? Perhaps you get exposed to a different path besides PE or learn and experience cool things in your 3rd year, but I’m not sure what those things could be.

What specifically would you be losing if you jumped at the 2 year mark?

I’d miss out on the opportunity to work abroad for 6-12 months through a McKinsey rotation and to do an externship. Feel like you’re otherwise right but I don’t know when else I’d get a chance to do either in my career!

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I’m leaving after 2 years, but I semi regret not staying extra so I can do the international travel. Depends on how much you care about it and whether you can just do one case internationally to scratch that itch

Haha thinking though same things after that bain cap email.

Also likely staying OP, don’t think I will apply

I took an extra year and did some incredible international work. I’m “behind” now and feel that frequently but from a life fulfillment standpoint I think I did the right thing. It’s all a trade off. Also, as Bain said above I had a notch above in professionalism and "polish”.

Well I am a year or two older than my titles peers.

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