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blast00
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Consulting vs. Leadership Development Programs Updated on: 02 Dec 2010, 13:09
Originally posted by blast00 on 08 Nov 2010, 08:34.
Last edited by blast00 on 02 Dec 2010, 13:09, edited 1 time in total.
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Hello,

I am currently an undergrad senior and have two job offers-- one at IBM as a strategy consultant (middle tier, around the prestige of PwC) and one at a fortune 100 in their management rotational program. In many ways the offer at Boeing is better (work life balance, culture, training); but I feel that the job at IBM is more prestigious, and its consulting. One of the biggest reasons I am leaning towards taking the IBM job despite the 80+hr work weeks is that I feel "the prestige" of consulting will look better and give me a better chance of getting into a good mba program.

Can anyone offer their personal feelings and advice? How much does prestige of your job play a role in mba decisions and overall (in comparison to just what you can contribute).

I appreciate your help!
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nbd52
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Consulting vs. Leadership Development Programs 09 Nov 2010, 00:34
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blast00
Hello,

I am currently an undergrad senior and have two job offers-- one at IBM as a strategy consultant (middle tier, around the prestige of PwC) and one at a fortune 100 in their management rotational program. In many ways the offer at Boeing is better (work life balance, culture, training); but I feel that the job at IBM is more prestigious, and its consulting. One of the biggest reasons I am leaning towards taking the IBM job despite the 80+hr work weeks is that I feel "the prestige" of consulting will look better and give me a better chance of getting into a good mba program.

Can anyone offer their personal feelings and advice? How much does prestige of your job play a role in mba decisions and overall (in comparison to just what you can contribute).

I appreciate your help!
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Correct me if I am wrong (and please don't take offense to this) but I'm not so sure IBM "Strategy" Consulting is more prestigious than Boeing Management Rotational Program. I say this because IBM doesn't strike me as true Strategy Consulting. I'm pretty sure it is more IT, Operations, Implementation type consulting not true Strategy in the M/B/B sense. I would take the rotational program if I were you. Technology Consulting can pidgeon-hole you pretty quickly. The Boeing program seems like a great opportunity.
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blast00
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Consulting vs. Leadership Development Programs Updated on: 02 Dec 2010, 13:08
Originally posted by blast00 on 09 Nov 2010, 07:17.
Last edited by blast00 on 02 Dec 2010, 13:08, edited 1 time in total.
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deletedeletedeletedeletedelete
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Jerz
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Consulting vs. Leadership Development Programs 09 Nov 2010, 08:08
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Viewed purely as a path to an MBA program, either of your options are good opportunities to gain the experience that schools are looking for. Consultants aren't viewed as being better applicants than people who work for F500 companies, their large representation in full-time bschool programs is more a function of a FT MBA being more clearly in the career path for a consultant than for someone at a F500.

I would suggest doing what interests you more and not worrying so much about prestige. If you're interested and excited by your work, you're more likely to do better - which is much more important to your success than the company name in the lobby.
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kb798
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Consulting vs. Leadership Development Programs 29 Nov 2010, 15:06
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You can't really go wrong either way, but I see more consultants out of IBM (and similar) strat placed higher into top tier schools than Boeing. Reason is because Boeing recruits more from lower ranked undergrads...partly because they have many spots open. The harder it is to get into the program, the better it is for you.
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