I have a science PhD from top UK uni, currently at Big-4 in consulting arm, studying for ACA. Really want to get out. Should finish my exams next year. Currently doing audit, financial modelling and some assurance/ advisory work. What are my chances getting into a strat house next year (1st/2nd tier) and what level would I be going in at?Got through to final round at MBB last year after uni but didn't get through.Any other options recommended?

The Audit/ACA experience will skew things against you - it's a whole different track and you'll need a strong argument as to why you've gone that route. And don't say it's because you're in Big 4 and that's what is expected - they want born leaders not followers.Not sure of level - I think PhDs slot in below MBAs or just join with the grads but can expect some faster progression within MBB; but the 2nd tier firms are worth looking at too. Probably not the best time to be looking to make the move into strat though unless you have experience in it already - places for new blood will be reduced and competition even more fierce than usual, especially as they will be soaking up applications from grads who otherwide would be applying to IB.But what is it that makes you want out of Big 4 so soon? You may find yourself in the same place within strat, just working harder and longer. PE firms are still hiring, so could be worth a look (and your experience, especially with the ACA, would be useful and relevant - and competiton less fierce just now, with the focus less on origination as most funds have already built their cash pile reserves enough to easily ride out the crunch), as would an in-house analyst role in industry.

Thanks MarsI want to get out of Big-4 because I am fairly bored. I am not engaging my brain at all, although I know that may not be the case at strat houses as well, I know. Also, if I'm honest, I would like to get a better wage and hopefully be able to leverage my PhD experience, which I am not doing at all just now. PE does sound attractive, especially if I could get into the sector that I did my PhD in and use some of my technical skills, which are fairly redundant just now. An analyst role in industry? What kind of thing do you mean? It's actually not something I've considered, but would be keen to know more. Another option that I'd considered was to use my ACA, IB client experience and PhD and go into PhD sector in equity research, although the market doesn't look too hot just now for obvious reasons.

I don't know what you did your PhD in, so can't comment too closely, but with regards to PE the funds dealing with cleantech (i.e. technology, renewable energy etc) are hot at the moment, and probably the most energetic when hiring. As for equity research, well that's what you would be doing in many respects in PE anyway, but at much closer proximity to the equities in question - you can see the whites of their eyes if you like.Analyst roles in industry I thought would be fairly self explanatory - strategy teams, corporate development, marketing intelligence etc, and some of the bigger blue chips have their own internal strat consultancies - e.g. like those at Shell or Diageo, or strong VC outfits - Unilever Ventures comes to mind. Also you could look at consulting firms off the beaten track - venturing firms, marketing strategy firms etc. I think vanilla corp finance and accounting will bore you to tears.

"I think vanilla corp finance and accounting will bore you to tears".So true! Very perceptive Mars. I will certainly look into PE and industry roles.I should really say that I'm probably jumping the gun here, in that I finish my exams in 12 months and will not be time qualified (personally I could care less about that, but I'm not sure that employers will see it that way), but I do need that carrot to keep me going in the interim. Don't really want to say what my PhD was in as that would be obvious for those who know me and read this board.Thanks for the advice.

"I think vanilla corp finance and accounting will bore you to tears".So true! Very perceptive Mars. I will certainly look into PE and industry roles.I should really say that I'm probably jumping the gun here, in that I finish my exams in 12 months and will not be time qualified (personally I could care less about that, but I'm not sure that employers will see it that way), but I do need that carrot to keep me going in the interim. Don't really want to say what my PhD was in as that would be obvious for those who know me and read this board.Thanks for the advice.