u/Classic-Walk5955

Hi everyone,
I’m 32 years old, based in Germany, and I’m facing a difficult career decision between two job offers. I’d really appreciate some advice, especially from people who have worked in consulting or industrial engineering.

Option 1 – Accenture Industry X
- Team Lead / Consultant
- Good salary
- Annual performance bonus (up to 20%, although I know that’s not guaranteed)
- Hybrid work
- International projects
- Opportunity to learn consulting, project management, client management, leadership, and digital transformation

Option 2 – Industrial Technology Company
(Mid-sized Industrial Technology Company)
- Electrical Engineer
- Around €10k/year higher salary than Accenture
- 100% remote (only traveling to customer sites when necessary)
- More technical and engineering-focused role

I’ve always been interested in management, leadership, business, and entrepreneurship. My long-term goal is to move into leadership positions or eventually build my own company. That’s why I’m wondering whether consulting at Accenture would give me more valuable and transferable business skills than staying in a highly technical engineering role.

So my dilemma is:
Accenture
- Lower salary
- Less flexibility
- Strong exposure to consulting, project management, clients, and business
Industrial Technology Company
- Higher salary
- 100% remote
- Better work-life balance
- More technical engineering work

If you were in my position, which one would you choose and why?
For those who have worked at Accenture Industry X (or similar consulting firms):
Is the consulting experience really as valuable as people say?
Would you choose consulting over a technically stronger engineering role if your long-term goal was to become a leader or start your own business?
Looking back on your career, which path do you think offers better long-term opportunities?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences rather than simply choosing based on salary. Thanks!