Im going to go out on a limb here. Im motivated by money to a degree but i just wanted to know something. Would I earn more money working as a consultant for 10 years strating from grad level at a good firm payin btw 25-28k staring e.g pa, accenture cap gem etc or more in indutry working for say shell, Uniliever, etc staring as a grad too on approx 25-28k?How much would a consultant at a good firm earn with 10yrs experience compared to someone in industry with 10 years experience.I know the skills developed as a consultant are more transferable and useful but im curious. All input is greatly appreciated and furthermore I hope everyone is in agreement when i say 'i hope chelsea get done for their latest escapades'.

Congratulations, Sam, on one of the most unprofessional posts I have seen on this site for a long time(and that's up against the stiff competition of the posters from Bangalore who paste their CV intelligibly into the text box).......Personal opinions on matters like sports have no place in the Consulting profession. You are far more likely to alienate than to collegiate. Still, you cheered up my Monday morning by making me feel good about myself, my colleagues and my firm. So thanks!

Well, while this board is supposed to be for people to give their honest opinions about things within the consulting industry it would rather sad if one couldnt add one line about something currently in the media spotlight that has wider implications etc. Unfortunately, you seem quite stuck up and unable to see past what you term professionalism on an open board. No doubt you probably work for a 'stuffy' consulting firm that probably like you has a dry sense of humour and environment. Further the need to quite frankly 'insult' other people who are probably less intelligent and qualified than your self and with few options to break into the privaledged world of consulting was uncalled for, degrading and dressed with an air of unbelievable arrogance. Their way of life might be different and thus not acknowledging that pasting a CV on a board is not 'correct'. Maybe you need to lok outside your litle box and perhaps lighten up! Like the adage goes. if you have nothing useful or pleasing to say...say nothing at all!!!!

"Privalidged" is spelt Privileged. "Lok" is probably meant to be look, and I believe 'litle' has two 't's. Of course, from my 'stuffy' consulting firm it's hard to see how Chelsea, or any other club, is an issue "currently in the media spotlight that has wider implications" for the Consulting industry. Okay, so Mark Palios used to work at KPMG, and Deloitte publish an annual football financial report.......

Redcoat is an idiot, ignore him. Sam, thanks for actually asking a interesting question! If money is your game, then I would highly recommend consulting from the word go. Within 5 years of consulting I reckon you could be earning £15-20k more than you would 5 years in industry. I know that I am earning that much more than my friends who went into industry. I mean, I think in terms of salary potential, consulting is pretty high up the tree. I doubt we'll ever match the Bankers though! Also, what a lot of consultants actually do is, spend 10 years consulting then move into a senior post in industry (big money!!). Just get yourself into consulting mate. I like the fact that you mentioned sport as well in your note, its real life so its important. I've had some great relationships with clients over the years and a lot of them started off with: "So did you watch the game last night?" And yes, I do hope Chelsea get screwed over!! And yes, I am an Arsenal fan! Best of luck!

Back to Sam's original question, I would be interested to see some other readers' opinions on whether consulting offers greater financial rewards than a similar length career in industry. My view is that the structured career path of consulting gives fairly predictable reward, but that a 'lucky' run in industry may be more lucrative. The best approach may be to mix the two over the 10 year period depending on the market.

Sorry, in my anger I was in a rush and apologise for my rather embarrasing spelling mistakes. Nonetheless i stand by what i said. Im still rather bemused you sought to tackle a subject that was one line of my post rather than the main question and if that post is what it takes to make you value yourself, your organisation and fellow consultants then that in itself speaks volumes, not only of yourself but sadly of your fellow consultants.By the way in terms of 'wider implications' of the chelsea fiasco, how about how it might affect employment law and maybe closer to home consulting clients recruiting employees of their consulting firm. Yet better still, the Frank Arnesen case and the ashley cole case may go to the highest court in europe. If that doesnt warrant the term 'wider implications' i dont what does. Your attitude and arrogance gives consultants a bad name, similar to that of investment bankers... lighten up!! It was a simple question that unmerited the response you saw fit to give.

I agree with the earlier post suggesting that a combination of the two is the best way forward. As a recruiter, I am hugely in favour of consultants having some "coal-face" experience, and find that those people who occasionally jump the fence to have the most up-to-date knowledge. Salary wise, grad consultants do see a rapid rise in wage (if they are (a) any good and (b) survive the lifestyle), but it does flatten out as opportunities up the ladder are more limited, at which point moving into a corporate role becomes a sensible and lucrative option.

Cheeres Gunner. Thanks for your post that actually answered the question! No doubt Redcoat will be telling his fellow consultants how 'unprofessional' you too are.

Redcoat probably works in Butlins as his name suggests. They're about as charming as he is.

Sam - I joined ACN from an oil major about 18 months ago and put up my salary by 66%. If I get promotion, I should have put it up by 200% in 24 months. All the time that the market is good, the bigger money is in consulting. That said, the longer hours are here and the time on the road is to be found here too. The best bet, in my opinion is to go into industry, get some solid experience and then join a consultancy. This will accelerate your earnings and responsibility and the previous experience will allow you to relate to what the client is going through - Recruitgal has the right idea!

Cheers for that. Can i further ask - how easy is it to get into consulting from industry? is it harder to go from industry to consulting or vice versa?

Just to raise another argument to acn and Recruitgal: wouldn't you agree that the type of consultancy projects have changed over the years, which can sometimes seem parallel to a job in industry. For example, consulting projects can last for years these days. When you're at a client site for more than 6 months, you almost become part of their team. I'm a straight grad to consultancy, and I can safely say that I have some good industry knowledge as well as consulting skills because I have spent some long periods with clients and their teams, tackling their business issues. Not to confuse you too much Sam...both options are sound and you seem like a bright thing to succeed in both consulting and industry. Maybe an ideal option would be to join a consulting firm that specialises in an industry you fancy? For example, Spectrum strategy for telecoms/marketing, etc. I personally enjoy being a pure consultant, the hours are not long as everyone suggests. They can be (and will be) at times, but Friday's are generally quiet days and you can manage your time effectively if you're smart.

I guess it depends on your previous experiences and how it relates to the job you're applying for at the time. Getting into consultancy is always going to be very hard. I personally think getting into industry is a little easier at grad level.

Sam, Consulting should allow you to earn more than most of your industry peers, but remember you are entering a very competitive environment. Also that the situation doesn´t stay still for long, have a look at Tony R´s article in Consulting Times for a view of how career progression could change in the future.