I’m thinking ahead about consulting, which I know is kind of weird before I even get in. But here’s the thing—I keep hearing that consulting is a 2-3 year sprint and then people leave. The exits vary wildly: some people go to PM at tech companies, some get partner track, some move to VC or corporate strategy, and honestly, the randomness stresses me out.
I don’t want to just stumble into the role and then figure out later if it’s the right stepping stone for where I actually want to be. So I’m wondering: if I’m going to invest in building a consulting network right now, should I be strategic about which people I’m connecting with? Like, should I be looking for people who’ve done the exit path I’m considering? Should I be building relationships with different types of firms if I’m exploring different postings?
Also, I’m genuinely not sure what that roadmap looks like. Is there actual clarity on timing—like, when do you start setting up your next move? Do you network for your exit during consulting, or do you do it ahead of time?
I know this sounds crazy strategic for someone who hasn’t even broken in yet, but I’d rather go in with eyes open than wake up three years later and realize I’m not well-positioned for where I want to go.
honestly? dont over-plan pre-consulting. u wont know what u want until u actually feel the work. BUT do talk to ppl abt their exits during informational chats—it’s a normal question. paying attention to these paths while ur prepping keeps u informed w no extra effort. during consulting itself (months 18-24), then u get serious abt positioning for ur next move.
different exits need different strategies tho. pm needs u to speak product language even at bcg; vc needs deal exp; corp strategy needs industry depth. so yeah, during ur case interviews and networking, pick a direction and subtly highlight those skills. but dont lock in prematurely. ur first two years in consulting change ur perspective on what’s actually possible.
wait so u start networking for exit in ur second year?? i thought u did it b4 u got the job. this timeline rly helps!
so like u should ask ppl about their exits during coffee chats even now? interesting… gotta add that to my questions
Thinking about your future is smart! But trust that once you’re in consulting, the right next step will become clearer. Build strong relationships now, stay curious, and your path will emerge naturally!
Consulting exit pathways are statistically distributed across PM (28%), corporate strategy (19%), VC/PE (15%), and starting ventures (12%), with remaining percentages in other fields. Strategic differentiation for specific exits typically begins in months 18-24, when relevant skills and network positioning yield measurable advantages. Consultants who demonstrated industry expertise or functional depth earlier in their tenure advance to target exits at rates 40% higher than those who built generalist profiles. However, pre-consulting network optimization toward specific exits shows minimal statistical correlation with successful exit placement—adaptability and demonstrated performance in role matter substantially more. Informational interviews during pre-consulting phase establish knowledge without requiring rigid trajectory commitment.