I started on a Big-4 grad scheme last year and am completely bored with the work I'm doing. It's innane, mindless and unchallenging. Any suggestions/sympathisers?Any one else in the same boat?

Keep your eyes on the prize. Stay in for five years, accept your lot but work hard, play the game, climb the ladder, specialise (important), enjoy yourself outside of work, leave at manager level for a good job on the outside with a solid name on your cv, and you're set at the age of 27. Or, look at other grad schemes elsewhere, compare where you'd be after that five years (less speedy advancement and money in industry, banking, of course, not looking so hot right now). Might actually be more fun, less travel. You're not in a bad position, quite probably just a bad project. If so, play the game and get on a good project. If you go, don't jump out before you have something else (better) lined up. Believe me, I totally sympathise, but that's the way it is at big4, you've just got to think of the long run, when all the grunt work becomes worthwhile.

"It's innane, mindless and unchallenging."Yup. But hang around a little longer and your standards will drop so low you'll actually believe you're doing a good job. Result!

I have to agree with the first anon... hang in there, switch your brain off from Monday to Friday for 5-6 years, get to manager level and then you'll start to be taken seriously at interviews elsewhere...sounds bleak, eh?

1) Look at the people at more senior grades2) Are they doing anything more interesting?3) Yes? Then sit back, switch off and wait for the Big-4 escalator to take you there.4) No? Then get out asap before it's too late.

Thanks everyone. I agree - I just need to keep my mind on the long-term and not being stuck out in some industrial park in Essex doing work that a trained chimp would probably do better (because it would be less bored).

Alternatively, realise that life is what's happening now... but that that needn't mean ignoring the longer-term picture by doing something enjoyable with no prospects. On the contrary, find something you enjoy and are good at; see how it feels more rewarding and how as a result you develop rapidly and your career really takes off.A thought.

zzzz, I'm at Acn, not sure if people include that when they refer to Big4 but feel much the same.In my second year here and many people share your/our sentiment.If I could get another job now I would but in reality I think I'll stay here (or another consulting firm) for a total of 3-4 years and do an MBA then try and pursue something different.I'm not sure what sort of industry jobs this experience would enable one to get after 5 years but I doubt it would be any more interesting.

It better be more interesting or what’s the point of 5 years at ACN and spaffing all that money on a MBA??And how can you be at least a year into working life and not know who the big 4 are?

Because people talk about the Big 4 consulting firms (which does include Acn) and the Big 4 accounting firms (which doesn't)