Consulting has become the default "safe option" at IIM BLACKI because Day 0 consulting offers dominate, packages are standardized, and the work signals well for future switches. The OP captured this: "Finance? Forget it unless you're CFA+SRCC/St. Stephen's+Excel wizard. You pivot to consulting. Everyone does. Not because they love it, but because it's Day
- And everyone wants to survive Day 0." Day 0 consulting at IIM A/B/C: McKinsey (Rs 36-42 LPA base), BCG (Rs 34-40 LPA), Bain (Rs 35-42 LPA), Kearney (Rs 26-32 LPA), Accenture Strategy (Rs 22-28 LPA). These firms shortlist 20-60 per college and hire 10-
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- Total consulting placements at IIM A cover roughly 30-40% of batch. The default nature creates three traps. First, consulting burnout: 60-80 hour weeks, constant travel, high attrition (40% exit within 3 years). Second, limited exit routes if you don't enjoy the work. Third, inflated expectations in the open market because Rs 35-40 LPA is specific to Tier 1 consulting, not a market norm. The alternative tracks that don't get enough attention: FMCG brand management (Rs 24-32 LPA, saner hours, strong long-term), tech PM (Rs 28-42 LPA at Google/Amazon/Flipkart), BFSI (Rs 24-35 LPA), specialized finance at IB/PE (Rs 40-60 LPA but hyper-competitive). IIM A Rs 27.5L fees, Rs 35.22 LPA avg suggests nearly half the batch is at or below avg because top-heavy consulting pulls up the mean. Think about lifestyle, not just package. If you can handle 70-hour weeks for 3 years to build signal, consulting works. Otherwise explore PM or FMCG. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility