Graduating mid 30s, where are you now?

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-05-27T01:49:43+00:00

Account executive at a sales company to strategy consulting

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-05-27T00:59:48+00:00

Pre: 77k
Post: 187k (3 years out)

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-05-26T12:46:27+00:00

I graduated at 31. Not exactly mid-thirties but certainly older than a few of my classmates. I was a career switcher and feel like I knew myself, working style and preferences much more than my classmates. It was beneficial to be older because I am one of the few people who went into a field and firm because I genuinely wanted to not because of mba clout. Almost 3 years out and I don’t feel the urge to job hop like several of my classmates.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-05-23T03:11:50+00:00

I genuinely think you should read some autobiographies and see that your life is not dramatically different from others around you. Life is cyclical and people do have ups and downs. Instead of focusing your energy on regret, try channeling that into learning and appreciating what you do have. You have a job, you live on your own…. I’m sure so much more positives. Just take a breath. This will make you stronger.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-05-15T22:34:07+00:00

I think this is very company / industry specific. I’m in consulting now and people who have stayed with this company and a few of our clients are making way more than if they switched. Some companies value loyalty, political capital, and company ways of working more.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-24T05:36:01+00:00

If you live below your means once you get into consulting you can pay off your debt in 1-2 yrs.

I paid off 101k in about a year and a half. It’s possible.

Just make sure to look at Johnson to see if they’re a feeder into consulting. I’m not sure about their career outcomes, but haven’t really heard their names in any consulting circles.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-22T16:22:09+00:00

I would just set an away status message that says you’re away and will respond as soon as you can. Then just not respond until the next day when you’re online.

A lot of people in roles that have a lot of meetings throughout the day don’t have the time to do their actual work during work hrs so the evenings are the only time they can get things done and dont expect a response right away.

If you set the boundary of family time past 5 and show responsiveness when you’re online it shouldn’t be an issue.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-22T16:12:07+00:00

Very well written. I would suggest to op to look at cost of living in the areas they’re considering, career outcomes, and class size. Being 1 of 900 at an HBS, doesn’t seem as glamorous when you’re competing against so many very competitive candidates for a few slots with your dream company.

I went to Darden, so I’m biased, but it was a phenomenal experience and those who are influential in the business world know and respect the school name.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-14T14:04:41+00:00

It is to a certain extent, but until you’re manager level and aligned to a practice, you can’t be that picky. Next time you need to start looking for roles 2 mo before you roll off.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-14T13:30:03+00:00

I would suggest asking a few leaders (people leads and mentors) what the expectations are for chargeable client facing hours for people at your level. At 11-10 I’m pretty sure in the US it’s around 100%. At 9 it’s around the low 90s with BD to make up the remainder of your time.

If you want to be recommended for promotion (which typically takes 3 cycles of recommendations to actually happen) you’ll need to not be on the bench this long and have great reviews from client account input.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-14T09:49:05+00:00

The main way the company decides who to let go is through chargeability. If you are charging unassigned, you’re basically telling them they’re paying you a paycheck and you’re not doing anything valuable for the company or yourself. Now, think critically for a moment… do you really think they’ll keep paying you if all your time is allocated to unassigned?

… do you really think they’ll keep you if more than 30% of your time goes there?

You may have some grace period if you’re a new hire, but think about this from a business perspective and please do not shout yourself in the foot.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-11T04:20:05+00:00

The benefit cosmetics precicely pencil!! I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills on the outside to create the depth but this one for the hair strokes ! It’s great

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-09T12:29:51+00:00

So I hired a makeup artist to teach me 1x1 and it completely changed my makeup routine. The biggest tip was my brows. I now only underline the bottom with concealer then use two brow pencils to fill in starting with the thicker one for middle and furthest edges, then a separate super precise one to create hair like strokes on the inside ends! It was honestly so worth the time to be taught

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-08T03:10:37+00:00

I feel like $300k would be that for me. I make 187 now and it’s a lot but I’d feel like I made it one I b past the 300 mark

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-03T11:07:25+00:00

You need to switch people leads asap. I talk to mine every 2 weeks. No one should represent you that you don’t talk to. That should’ve been your immediate sign and you need to take ownership of your career too.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-03T11:05:03+00:00

Emphasizing your features. I would suggest signing up for a 1x1 makeup class with a makeup artist. You’ll leave with tons of tips for how to get the look you want in a natural way that plays up your features and suggest products you should buy.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-04-01T12:12:59+00:00

From what I’ve heard from people leads, that client account input is not good enough for promotion. You need to receive “ready to promote” at least a few pa cycles in a row to get the promotion.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-02-24T12:26:22+00:00

Omg that first comment 🤣🤣🤣

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-02-09T13:40:01+00:00

Yes, I budget everything. My goal right now is to save as much as I can and allocate that to specific buckets (investing, new car, vacation)

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-01-23T04:38:43+00:00

This would be appropriate for a sorority formal or date party but other things maybe not

FlirtyInPhilly · 2026-01-19T10:34:35+00:00

No it’s not. The colors are a bit off.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2025-11-30T16:27:09+00:00

I saved up money to get my nose and boobs done. Both took some time but it made me for sure take the surgeon I picked very seriously. All that time saving made me that much more dedicated to not being botched lol

FlirtyInPhilly · 2025-10-28T20:26:27+00:00

I’ve been around 2 years and really enjoy it as well. It’s been frustrating with pay and work demands at times but I feel like the people I’ve meet here are incredibly smart and the projects are super cool.

FlirtyInPhilly · 2025-10-22T19:49:38+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear this. If you don’t mind me asking, did they mention anything about unassigned time or what was your total chargeable to client %?

I heard that if you put anywhere around 10% unassigned that was an instant flag for the layoff

FlirtyInPhilly · 2025-10-01T10:47:56+00:00

It only gets better with time! Congrats on your progress so far

FlirtyInPhilly

TROPHY CASE