A career move is often measured by the name of the company on an employee’s résumé, but the real difference can show up in everyday life. For IIM Calcutta graduate Jahnvi Singh, leaving McKinsey to join Google has meant more than changing employers. A year into her new role, she says the switch has reshaped the way she works, travels and spends her time outside the office.Singh recently shared her experience in an Instagram video, comparing her consulting days with her current routine at Google. Her account offers a glimpse into two different professional environments. While McKinsey exposed her to a range of clients and business challenges, Google has given her the opportunity to focus on one business and develop deeper knowledge of an industry. The change has also affected her travel commitments and weekday schedule. What stands out in her account is not simply a shift in workplace perks but the additional space she now has for fitness and social plans. From solving different client problems to understanding one business At McKinsey, Singh worked across projects involving different clients and problem statements. The nature of consulting meant that she regularly moved between assignments, each bringing a different set of questions and challenges. Her role at Google is structured differently. Instead of shifting between multiple clients, she now works with one business. This allows her to understand a particular industry in greater depth, although she admitted that concentrating on the same business can sometimes make the work feel repetitive.Explaining the contrast, Singh said, “I used to work with different clients and on varied problem statements. However, now I work with one business at Google, which can mean that work gets a little monotonous at times, but it also means gaining deep knowledge of one industry." The two roles have therefore offered different kinds of professional exposure. Her earlier job brought variety through multiple clients, while her current position allows her to build a more detailed understanding of one business. Singh's experience highlights how a career switch can change not only the workplace but also the nature of the problems an employee handles every day. Fewer domestic trips, with opportunities to travel abroad Another noticeable change has been her travel schedule. Consulting at McKinsey involved frequent domestic travel, with Singh regularly moving between cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi for work. Her current role is based out of Google's Gurugram office. Although she still travels for professional reasons, the pattern is different. She said she gets opportunities to travel internationally for business around two to three times a year.Recalling her earlier schedule, Singh said, “McKinsey meant a lot of domestic travel. I used to constantly travel between Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Delhi. However, now at Google, I work out of the Gurgaon office, and I also get the opportunity to travel internationally for work two to three times a year." The difference is significant in terms of her everyday routine. Instead of frequently travelling between Indian cities, she now has a regular office base in Gurugram, along with occasional international business trips. Five-star stays versus everyday office conveniences Singh also compared the workplace benefits she experienced at the two companies. At McKinsey, she recalled enjoying facilities associated with business travel and professional gatherings, including stays at five-star hotels, dinners and parties. At Google, she pointed to a different set of advantages. These are part of her regular office experience rather than occasional travel-related benefits. She mentioned the pick-up and drop-off facility for employees and the cafeteria, which offers a wide range of food, including healthy options.Describing the contrast, she said, “McKinsey, there were a lot of them: fancy five-star hotels, dinners, parties and so on. At Google, I have basic perks like a pick-up and drop-off facility to and from the office. And if you know Google, it has a very good cafeteria and office with plenty of healthy food options." Her comparison shows how workplace benefits can serve different purposes. While one role offered experiences connected to frequent client travel, the other provides facilities that make the regular office routine more convenient. More room for workouts, daily walks and friends For Singh, perhaps the most personal change has been the time she can now devote to activities outside work. She said her consulting schedule at McKinsey often made it difficult to maintain a consistent fitness routine or make plans with friends during the week. Her life at Google has allowed her to build more regular habits. She now works out five times a week and aims to complete 8,000 steps daily. She also finds it easier to meet friends on weekdays without having to seek permission.Speaking about the change, Singh said, “At Google, I am working out five times a week consistently. I’m doing 8K steps daily, and on most weekdays, I can make plans with my friends without anybody’s permission." Her experience illustrates how a change in work structure can influence life beyond professional responsibilities. A more predictable routine has helped her make space for exercise, walking and social connections.A year after leaving McKinsey, Singh's account reflects a shift in priorities and daily experiences. Her move to Google has brought a different kind of work, a changed travel pattern and office facilities that support her regular routine. Most importantly, she says she has found more time for activities that were difficult to fit into her earlier schedule. Her story is a reminder that career decisions are not always about choosing one company over another; they can also be about finding a working style that fits the life a person wants to build. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.