Consulting to strategy role transition typically happens 2-3 years post-MBA at VP/AGM/Chief of Staff level in mid-to-large corporates, startups, or MAANG companies - strategy roles offer similar compensation with varied work mix. The OP gave detailed insight - "Few years back it generally used to be Big tech strategy roles (think FAANG) or large corporate groups (Adanis, Ambani's). Now the market has shifted to 2 big trends - startups and mid/small corporates (think Lodha, smaller listed companies, other boring but profitable businesses). Generally consult folks join post 2-3 years experience at AGM/VP level or in Chief of Staff type roles." This reveals the evolving exit market. Consulting exit market evolution:
- Pre-2020: Big tech (FAANG) + large Indian corporates (Reliance, Tata, Aditya Birla, Adani) dominated exits, 2) 2020-2023: Startup wave absorbed significant ex-consultants (Byju's, Unacademy, Swiggy, Zomato strategy hires), 3) 2023-present: Startup slowdown shifted exits to mid-cap listed companies + profitable "boring" businesses (real estate, manufacturing, industrial companies),
- Ongoing: Chief of Staff roles at founders' offices remain popular. Typical exit timing + compensation: 1) 2 years post-MBA (still associate): Exit to startups Rs 25-40 LPA + ESOPs, 2) 3 years post-MBA (associate/senior associate): Exit to mid-cap corporates at Rs 32-50 LPA, 3) 4-5 years post-MBA (project leader/senior associate): Exit to VP/AGM at large corporates Rs 45-75 LPA + bonuses, 4) 5+ years (engagement manager): Exit to SVP/Director roles Rs 60-90 LPA or entrepreneurship. OP's specific day-in-the-life - "Go to office at 9, go through agenda and pending mails by 9:30, meetings for the first half, lunch at ~2 (optional), meetings for the second half, ~7 start doing my actual work (where I actually have to apply my mind) go back home (can be anywhere from 8pm - 3am)." This reflects late-night actual work is still consuming - WLB in strategy comparable to consulting. Work-life balance comparison:
- Consulting (MBB): 60-80 hours/week, travel 2-3 days/week,
- Strategy role (corporate): 50-70 hours/week, minimal travel,
- Chief of Staff: 70-90 hours/week, high visibility + stress,
- Startup strategy: 50-70 hours/week, ESOPs + high risk. Why "corporate politics and favouritism" (OP's bluntness) drove transition:
- Consulting promotion cycles tied to visibility + network, not just performance,
- Firm-wide politics on case staffing + mentor selection,
- Exit opportunities structured around politics, not merit alone. OP's recommendation to consulting hopefuls: understand the trade-off - consulting gives brand + skills but politics + hours remain heavy. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility