generally speaking 2/3 years of consulting can be very beneficial, and it's what the vast majority of consultants do. But I will caveat that by saying that you also need to really reflect, in depth, on what you want to get out of the experience.

As you mention, your focus is on the learning curve and exposure. On the former, I don't think there are many better careers that can give you that. Same goes with exposure, but would caution you to think a bit deeper on what you mean by that. Is that to get your next job? Is that for career-long connections? Is that to learn how to present to C-suite?

It's important to know that the big consulting companies encourage a fairly quick turnover of personnel, and from my experience when leaving consulting (I planned for 2/3 years, but stayed nearly 5) everyone was very supportive and interested in my next steps. I asked and received advice from my mentors/sponsors, got connections for interviews, and was genuinely a good experience. Not many other environments are that open-minded.

I would also flag that whilst it's good going in with a plan/have the gut feel you're not in it for the long term, you must remember that things can change. For example, you might end up really enjoying it and think the partner route might be of interest. On the opposite spectrum, you could find out it is not the environment for you, and it's better to "cut your losses" and leave after 12-18 months. Do not let your initial plan interfere with how the experience actually pans out.

All the best with your next steps,

Alessandro

That is a very normal reason to enter consulting. Many people use the first few years to build problem-solving, client, and communication skills before moving into industry, startups, investing, or another path.

The important part in recruiting is not telling interviewers that you already have an exit date in mind. You should still have a genuine reason for wanting the work itself and be able to explain why consulting is the right next step.

Think of two or three years as a possible outcome, not the only acceptable plan. You may like the job more or less than expected once you are actually doing it.

2-3 yrs is probably one of the most normal consulting plans out there tbh.

I wouldn't tell them 'I plan to leave in 24 months' in the int though lol.