Raise your hand if you moved into consulting later in your career and not straight from college. And how old were you when you did move into consulting?

Trying to gauge if I have a fighting chance at 26 with under 2 YOE and an MBA ☹️

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39. I quit college at 20 and got married, moved for my husband's career, had a baby, moved again for husband's career, had another baby, moved, got the kids into school, got a job and finished my degree, then landed in consulting. Am I ever going to make as much income as I would have if I had finished college and got a job right away? No, absolutely not. But my life is pretty good and I'm happy where I am. Just because your path looks different than your peers doesnt mean it's worse.

likeuplifting

You will. It will all shake out. Keep your head up!
I do regret not following a more traditional path sometimes, but I cant do anything about it now. I am also candid about it with my 14 year old daughter too. My mom never went to college, and my dad's path was similar to mine except he work shit jobs for years before finishing his degree. I didnt understand the consequences of all that time not working when I was 20, I was just in love and wanted to get married. That's not wrong, but I wish I knew what I was giving away at the time and may have put it off until I finished school, or worked while raising my kids.

26 you have loads of time to make it in Consulting! Don't write it off because others might have an easier path, there are many which join much later!
Be methodical and persistent in applications and you will find something. I joined consulting when I had just 2 YOE too and no MBA and still going strong a few years in

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If I make it after finishing my PhD next year, it will be at 29 or 30.

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early 30s for me

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26

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I came into consulting at 32 without an MBA.

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I was 29

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I was 26 with a B.A.

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I was 31 when I started in advisory as a SA. Had 10 years industry experience in non-profits and gov with a MSW before I made the switch. Working on MBA specialized in healthcare admin now. You always have a chance if you are willing to work hard at it and not quit.

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Joined at 26, 1.5 yoe and an mba.

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PwC tech consulting. I’m based in APAC

Nobody has raised their hand. Y’all we suck at directions.

We give directions, we don’t take them! 😤

likeuplifting

Came into consulting at 28.

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Is it tough to join late and be treated as a first year associate when you’re in your 30s? How do you get over being bossed around by people way younger?

I got lucky because my D and SD were older. The SMs I worked with were late 30’s and treated me as peers. It also probably helped that I look like I’m in my late 20’s/early 30’s. We worked together collaboratively. They respected my knowledge and experience as I respected theirs. Never felt as if I was being bossed around.

Even if a younger consultant was taking the lead, my thing is this: there’s something that can be learned from anyone regardless of age. Now if there is blatant disrespect (which can come from anyone of any age) then that’s different and would be addressed accordingly.

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You didn’t recruit while doing your MBA?

It’s a long story but I was a part of a startup team during the 6 months of recruitment so I missed it completely. It’s a big regret 😔

27 +MBA

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