BlackRock (tech) vs Mckinsey (consulting)

Hi everyone,

I'm a second-year student with internship offers from BlackRock (Aladdin team) and McKinsey (Business Analyst). I'm trying to decide which is the better choice—not just in terms of prestige but also suitability for my background and career goals.

I come from a technical engineering background and am torn between pursuing software engineering or a more strategic path in consulting. While McKinsey is known for strong exit opportunities, I’m unsure if it’s too early in my career to make the jump. At the same time, consulting isn’t always highly regarded in tech circles.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether I should gain SWE experience this summer or explore consulting at McKinsey. Also, what draws people to consulting, and how do you determine if it’s the right fit? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!