Consulting Career
What if I like consulting work but do not fit in socially?
I am about four months into an MBB job and enjoy the work, but the social side feels alien. Conversations about expensive restaurants and fashion make me feel out of place. Is there a way to find my place without pretending to be someone else?
Ian’s Answer
You're facing a problem that a lot of kids of immigrants or lower class families feel when they go to a private school. Ultimately, you really have to decide what you want to do:
Pretend. Go along with the conversations (even if you don't have things to add), learn what's expected, and do that
Adopt. Go full-in. Embrace their “culture” and things they like. Start doing them and trying to enjoy them.
Reject. Realize that's not you and you're just there to do the job. Get through the 2 years (or whatever your target is) and get out. Know that you'll find “your people” in the next job.
Adapt. Are you sure all your colleagues are this way? There are always sub-cultures in firms. MBB are big…there are groups within it. At BCG we had all types of people. Try to find the colleagues who aren't in space.
On another note, welcome to adulthood my friend! This is the beginning of you having to navigate the real world.
Just know that you are not your environment. And nothing will ever be perfect. If your environment doesn't match you, survive/adapt until you can get to the environment where you thrive. And, learn what you have to have versus what you're “ok” with (what you can accept because x and y thing are great). If you can learn how to do this, you're one step closer to sustained happiness:)