99heyho wrote:
I own 2 biz and just sold 1 of it away. After selling my main biz, I am thinking of having a complete career change. I am planning to do my MBA with Insead and am wondering what options are there post-MBA.
I understand Insead is a feeder school for consulting firms but Ive also heard stories about the poor work life balance in the industry. Being a business owner with staff working with me, I do enjoy a good work life balance. I can't imagine myself working 12 hours per day now with no time for dinner with my family on a weekday for example. I have to say though that a Management Consulting role does interest me. Even more so if I can get headhunted to join a VC.
However, having a healthy work life balance is my top priority in choosing a career. Thus, I am thinking of General Management roles with F500 companies. Is this a good career choice? Is the General Management pay comparable with MBB? Or should I grind my teeth for a few years in MBB and hope to get headhunted to a more balanced company as I've heard that MBB associates are highly sought after.
If you are worried about work-life balance, you should steer away from consulting or banking.
General Management is a bit vague, typically you would work for a specific function at F500 (marketing, sales, finance, product, etc.). You don't get to "generalize" until you move up on the corporate ladder. The working hour on F500 is better in general than consulting. However, a 8-5 type of job if you want upward movement is hard to find. The annual pay will be less than consulting, but on an hourly basis, you'll be better compensated.
Given your goals, I would advise that you reconsider whether MBA is the right path for you. Post-MBA you will join the company as an individual contributor, with limited rewards based on the work you put in and restrictions on your autonomy.