I have been offered two roles - one at EY as a Senior Consultant and the other at a Boutique, small 3rd Tier, specialized health consultancy as a Manager. I would be coming out of industry with 15 years health and IT experience in roles such as program leader and general manager. I have an MBA along with my undergrad degrees and have used my PRINCE2 certification to run numerous projects.The roles mentioned above both involve a significant pay cut, in particular the SC role is about a 40% cut. I was considering the transition into consultancy to broaden my skill base, increase my exposure to different industry areas and exit from operational roles that have became quite repetitive. I am curious to hear peoples thoughts re:1) Is it normal to take a significant status and pay cut to join a consulting firm?2) Is it worth it in the long term either financially or from a work satisfaction point of view?3) Am I right in thinking SC is a "worker bee" and if so how have people negotiated the status drop associated with such a move?4) How negatively viewed are the boutiques if I did want, at a later date, to move to a big 4?Thanks.

No!No!!!Yes.Assuming you continue accepting 40% pay cuts you should have no trouble moving!

40% pay cut? What are you waiting for, man! HURRY! Sign that contract paper before this UNBEATABLE offer is withdrawn!! It is the deal of the century!! A no-brainer!!!

and then take another 40% cut when moving from consulting back into industry to escape the projects which have become quite repetitive. And then taking a 40% pay cut will become repetitive. But we wont know because you wont be able to afford internet access to tell us in this forum.Tell both (frankly not at all 'lateral' offers) to get 40% stuffed and 60% knotted.

A 40% pay cut, seriously? I understand there may be circumstances that mean you need to leave your current job, but honestly? Unacceptable.

[quote]I have been offered two roles - one at EY as a Senior Consultant and the other at a Boutique, small 3rd Tier, specialized health consultancy as a Manager. I would be coming out of industry with 15 years health and IT experience in roles such as program leader and general manager. I have an MBA along with my undergrad degrees and have used my PRINCE2 certification to run numerous projects.The roles mentioned above both involve a significant pay cut, in particular the SC role is about a 40% cut. I was considering the transition into consultancy to broaden my skill base, increase my exposure to different industry areas and exit from operational roles that have became quite repetitive. I am curious to hear peoples thoughts re:1) Is it normal to take a significant status and pay cut to join a consulting firm?2) Is it worth it in the long term either financially or from a work satisfaction point of view?3) Am I right in thinking SC is a "worker bee" and if so how have people negotiated the status drop associated with such a move?4) How negatively viewed are the boutiques if I did want, at a later date, to move to a big 4?Thanks. [/quote]If the Big4 firm is Deloitte tell them to sod off. They are professionals at selling you the dream and making you take a pay cut to join them. Plus they fire a load of people after 1 year if they aren't performing! Stay put!