Best consulting exit strategies from MBB and tier 2 firms include strategy roles at startups/mid-cap firms, VC/PE positions, entrepreneurship, and internal lateral moves to MAANG companies. The OP (ex-consultant at unnamed firm, now in strategy) advised - "Most popular option are strategy roles at startups or mid-to-large sized firms, VC (sometimes PE too), entrepreneurship. For public sector exits I'm not really sure that apart from UPSC any roles are enticing enough. The tech prod Man hiring at MAANG is pretty bad right now." Consulting exit paths at 2-5 year mark post-MBA:
- Strategy roles at corporates (AGM/VP/Chief of Staff): Rs 35-60 LPA typical, balance WLB + compensation,
- Startup strategy/operations: Rs 25-45 LPA + ESOPs, high growth + high stress,
- VC/PE firms: Rs 40-80 LPA + carry potential, competitive entry,
- Industry functional roles (marketing, product, strategy at MAANG): Rs 45-80 LPA, tech-adjacent consulting valuable,
- Entrepreneurship: High risk + high upside, consulting experience + MBA network helps,
- Ex-bankers → Bain PEG / BCG Vantage / finance-focused firms: Rs 45-70 LPA. For ex-bankers specifically (OP guidance) - "Best shots would be Bain PEG, or BCG vantage or fin focused firms like Canon Kepler. The lateral openings are really few right now, so networking gives you the best chance." The lateral consulting market has tightened - internal moves + networking drive most transitions now. Public sector exits:
- UPSC remains the primary route to pure public sector (low salary Rs 8-15 LPA but prestige + impact),
- SEBI, RBI senior positions: Rs 25-40 LPA with domain expertise,
- Government think tanks + NITI Aayog: Rs 20-35 LPA, policy-focused roles,
- PSU strategy roles (rare but exist): Rs 15-25 LPA, slow growth. MAANG tech PM hiring currently bad per OP - reduced hiring budgets at Google, Meta, Amazon post-2023 layoffs, tech PM roles 50% fewer than 2021 peak. Expected normalization by 2025-26 but meanwhile alternative tech strategy + analytics roles at Paytm/PhonePe/Razorpay/Swiggy/Zomato at Rs 40-65 LPA range. Check your eligibility at collvera.com/eligibility