What is wrong with young people these days - I mean young as in early 20's starting their career. Everything is too boring, too much hard work, they want money now, want promotion yesterday, and their pick of prestigious projects, clients etc. Is this the Big Brother generation? People being reared on a diet of celebrity to believe working for a living and making an effort is only for those who cannot get famous for being famous?

If you're partly referring to my recent post then I think this is just a knee-jerk reaction on your part. You have to face it: much of consulting is dull dull dull and there is no getting round that. I think it's perfectly natural to want the pick of everything. Personally I believe in hard work for reward and have quite a strong work ethic. I don't believe in getting something for nothing. But I don't believe in being bored out of my box either. You are in danger of sounding like an old man - kids in their 20s have always wanted it all and last week. It's natural. It's not the fault of reality TV. It's called ambition and having high standards.

Oh and for the record I usually think your posts are spot on, so please don't take any offense.

I agree! It's called ambition and having high standards as well as youthful ignorance, brashness and stupidity.

Well, being a Big Consltant you'll know never to underestimate ignorance, brashness and stupidity.

zzzz I wasn't referring to your recent post - if anything your post was about wanting MORE than switching off and expecting the world to make your life interesting. I am not old - I'm 34 - but I just think that a lot of the grads coming out now have no work ethic (not all of them).

Well probably just a knee-jerk reaction on my part then.

This whole thing does raise a bigger question though if we want to get all "macro". As you would expect on a forum, many of the posts I see are borne out of frustration and often negative. These recent ones are all about how dull consulting is etc etc. The thing I can't work out is, most people here, particularly the MBB types, are academically top draw, supposedly great communicators, presumably an exemplary work ethic etc etc, then surely these are the guys that can do anything with their lives. You're probably the ones who can land chinooks on your girlfriend's garden, or spend your days performing brain surgery. So why the hell did you choose something so boring in the first place?!

I chose consulting because I thought I would get:1. Interesting work (not so far)2. Job security (yes)3. Good wage (sort of in long-term)And yes, I have top academics and could have done something more sexy but that would only have satisfied point 1.

Hello zzzz,In response to your points:a) Fair enoughb) You're in a unique position for a consultant!c) Has the long term happened yet? Or, is there a chance you could be chasing dangled carrots?

I agree with your responses completely. Yes, I may be chasing carrots, but you have to chase something.

If it is that boring for you choose another carrot to chase!Or you could waste some extra energy complaining

zzzz, I work at a Big 4. A year ago my senior manager complained that I had "too many ideas". We sat together and I realised that this guy wasnt half as intelligent or smart as I was. I am not the smartest cookie in the office either - but they tend to be all staff people who after some years decide they cant take the utter boredom and sheer absurdity of the work we often do.I have learnt a lot about how the private sector works and will be leaving soon to do a PhD. The question here is: Did you think that making plenty of money or having job safety was going to be fun?If you are going to chase something, find that that you are passionate about (easier said than done) and go for it.

I'm waiting for a contribution from the Editor of Sellotape Weekly.

My job rocks my world.

To me the question of how interesting is consulting has a very clear answer.It is interesting in MBB, boring in Big4. After all, only those working for a Big4 complain about the quality of their projects. MBBers usually complain about long hour, excessive travel etc but I've never heard one of them saying that they're projects are boring.It's like IB. Being in GS it's great; you just work for top deals. But take BOA, Dresdner or HSBC; u also get very dull deals to work on.

Mars,I am 24 and therefore probably fall into the group you're talking about.I don't think there's anything wrong with being young, money hungry, ambitious and frustrated by bureocracy, politics and status reports.

Correct - nothing wrong with having the ambition, wanting the money etc but it is irritating hear complaints about the boredon, bureocracy, politics etc you have to go through to satisfy your ambition.Eithera) accept and try to change it orb) do something elseor option c which zzzz seems to have picked - waste your time complaining about it

Think my point is being obscured a little. It is one thing to be frustratedm even bored in what you are doing, and there is nothing wrong with ambition whatever that may mean to you as an individual. But there is a difference between being ambitious for money, status whatever and working for it and simply abdicating reponsibility and deciding to pursue fame on Big Brother, The Apprentice or whatever, which is ambition without effort, i.e. the world owes me a living or else I'm special I shouldn't have to work to achieve anything. If I speak to one more lazy, directionless grad who wants to join MBB because and solely because they can spend 3 years there, leave and spend the rest of their lives living off the kudos I'll write a strongly worded letter of protest to the Editor of Sellotape Weekly.

Personally I'm really enjoying my projects at the moment, enjoying a nice salary, learning lots, becoming well rounded, am respected by my peers and clients, have variety of work, and am being mentally challenged.

If you are mentally challenged you should seek help from social services. They can provide really good support to help you cope with everyday life.Good luck with everything,anon

There is no such magazine as Sellotape Weekly - Sellotape is a brand name of a cellulose-based, pressure-sensitive adhesive tape... common mistake - similar to people calling it a Tannoy rather than Public address system.PS - My Job is great.... At first it was hard work and boring, but I sat glued to my desk for a few years, stuck at it, and now I have the job of my dreams.

Mentally Challenged:. Refers to those whose IQ is below 70-75 and who lack proper adaptive social behavior."durghhhh, u'll fit into consultancy just right son, durrrgh dribble"

I want to set myself on fire and throw myself out the window every day i come in to the office as an A2 on my graduate scheme.This job is like a marathon and each day i'm 1 day closer to the 2 year finishing line at which point I can leave and do some other pointless horsesh*t, only for more money this time.Why did I not do something worthwhile for a career....?

Dear Editor of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape weekly i take affront at your white label attack on our esteemed publication; our joy in life, and the subject of many of our articles is not to promote various pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes (although I derive much enjoyment from them in my own time at 'parties') but rather to share experiences and advice of conventional and innovative/pleasurable applications of Sellotape, which is the original and best. Amen.Your sincerelyDisgruntled (and sticky) EditorSellotape Weekly

That's the least funny thing I've ever read on this forum. Fact.