> Is the network really that much more essential to a consulting career than a PM career? Yes. I sell projects to my former classmates all the time, and if I e

> Is the network really that much more essential to a consulting career than a PM career? Yes. I sell projects to my former classmates all the time, and if I ever find myself out of a job, I could have a half dozen interviews within a month. The network is absolutely amazing if you go to one of the top 20 or so schools and have some people skills. You can't really make use of the network if you're a PM. > And is the hours-adjusted total income of a consulting career that much better for wealth building than an extra million bucks pre-tax at age 30? Lifetime income for a partner at a consulting company can easily top $30 million -- with the benefit of being able to blow the escape hatch and land in a VP role in industry if you burn out on the consulting work.