How long do most people stay in consulting?

How long people stay in consulting varies widely. Some treat it as a two-to-five-year apprenticeship in problem-solving and client management before moving in-house; others build long careers, transitioning into partner, practice lead or independent advisor roles. Many leave once travel, hours or politics outweigh the benefits, or when they want to own outcomes inside a single organisation. In AI consulting, some professionals eventually join clients as heads of data or AI, while others turn their experience into product companies. The key is to be intentional: use consulting to gain transferable skills, reputation and relationships, then decide whether to double down or pivot.