Hi GuysI am currently applying for graduate jobs in MC and am nearing the final stage with PA Consulting...Therefore, I was wondering how PA's Strategy division is perceived in comparison to say a Big4 firm e.g. Deloitte Consulting, with regards to:---------------------------------------1. Brand strength/reputation 2. The level/breadth of work a graduate can expect3. The speed of career progression4. Bonus' (e.g. I hear Deloitte don't pay a bonus first three years of work from graduate level)5. Ability to get into a top MBA school, after 3-4 years work experience (for a potential move to MBB/OC&C etc...)6. Culture 7. Anything else you feel is important ------------------------------------------...help on any of these points would be greatly appreciated!Thanks in advance :)

See thread 38226, which answers a few of your questions.I recently had an assessment centre which I didn't get through, but in terms of breadth of work you can expect, the way it was sold to me was that it was very much up to you. If you were keen to put in the work you could get very good exposure, something you might not get at other firms. As for bonus, it varies across practices, all depends whether they're profitable and how you measure against their performance scale (1-4). The sense I got was that there was quite a good culture there, people were pretty open and friendly, defo more refreshing than your ACN types. Whilst I'm not sure of it's brand strength outside the UK, some of its practices have a good reputation, and they do win a lot of govt contracts. I got an offer from Deloitte which I've taken up but if you want to compare the two firms, then PA is much more rewarding if you want to put the effort in; I'm sitting on the fence and deciding whether consulting is right for me, and if it is I'll move firms after I get to consultant level, but as an overall package PA offers a very good one for a tier 2 firm in my opinion. HTH.

1. Brand StrengthPA is well percieved, if becoming a bit too government focused. I would say that if someone hasn't had direct contact with PA then PWC, Deloitte etc are stronger. PWC's strategy wing is become more recognised and well known.PA's strategy towards its strategy and marketing practice is in my opinion a bit sporadic (along with a lot of other internal strategies) with limited focus on proposition development.2. Level of BreadthVery good if you are prepared to work for it you get good exposure and responsibility. However your resource manager won't sort this out for you!3. Speed of Career ProgressionCan be rapid, CA in 9 months, C in 18 months isn't unheard of. You need to fight for it and it tends to take a bit longer in SMP.4. BonusBonus depends on utilisation and ratings, can be good e.g. 20-25% is realistic. The progression of base salary can be poor though, even against 'industry. standards. The share options you get are useful and worthwhile.5. MBAPA may offer you some support, but this will be limited compared to Mck etc. A few people have been sponsored through part time courses. Imagine PA would help in getting into a MBA school, but don't know much about this.6. CultureVaries widely by practice and area, there isn't a typical PA type (perhaps with the exception that most are pragmatic). This can make it a mixed bag in terms of projects. You need to network heavily from day 1 to get on the best projects and ensure that you progress. Practice read across sucess depends upon the depth and breadth of people you know.7. Anything ElseGood luck, I left PA after 2 years for a corporate strategy role in industry. Whilst my time there wasn't the best it got me where I am today.

Thanks Anon, cheers for the insight...best of luck with the Deloitte role!...if there are any current/ex PA Consultants (Strategy service-line if possible) on this forum, it would be great to hear your thoughts also :)

Post above yours should help.

Cheers 'Ex Paer' - we must have posted at the same time yesterday and that is why I didn't see yours...Thats given me a good insight of what to expect in PA, so thanks again for your help!

Expaer - i'd like to hear more about what your corporate strategy role now involves? Is it mostly excel modelling?

My role involves a number of components:- Senior management briefings- Shareholder updates and liason- Development of new business propositions- Modelling new business opportunites (25-30% of my time)- Customer and supplier meetings with views to JV's SA's etc.My role involves working across all the business units in our firm, with greater delivery responsibility and exposure to board level discussions than when I was in consulting. However this role took a long time to find (1 year) and I rejected many others because they didn't offer me what I wanted.

Thank you - very helpfull!

Thanks for your info guys, much appreciated...I was wondering if you could give me an insight into the employee make up of PA, i.e. PA'ers background and career paths, what is the most common (if there is)....e.g.(a) PA Analyst ------> PA Partner (b) PA Analyst --> PA Consultant ---> MBA --> MBB etc ---> MBB etc Consultant...(c) Other Firm Analyst (e.g. Big4 Consulting) ---> Other Firm Consultant ----> PA Senior Consultant ----> PA Partner ...I am really just wanting to know is PA:(i) a place to learn your trade and move on with a good brand name to seek MBA at a top school and then tier 1 firms(ii) learn your trade and commit to(iii) or are you best to gain experience first (if so where is best?) and the come to PA later on to get the best career progression with the firm......and what the benefits of choosing any three of these different options...I hope this is clear...Many Thanks in advance :)

(a) PA Analyst ------> PA PartnerPeople have done this, can't remember what the record is. Certainly progression to C and even PC is relatively straightforward. The MC to Partner rung can be a long and difficult one. Youngest partner from within was 32 I think, though could be wrong.(b) PA Analyst --> PA Consultant ---> MBA --> MBB etc ---> MBB etc Consultant...Promotion to consultant can be much quicker than elsewhere as you have the ability to take repsonsibility much earlier, due to typically smaller sizes of team within PA. However you need to get on the right projects and really apply yourself.Not sure on the MBA route, though 2 years in PA in the right projects can set you up very nicely for other consulting roles or senior industry roles.

(a) PA Analyst ------> PA PartnerPeople have done this, can't remember what the record is. Certainly progression to C and even PC is relatively straightforward. The MC to Partner rung can be a long and difficult one. Youngest partner from within was 32 I think, though could be wrong.(b) PA Analyst --> PA Consultant ---> MBA --> MBB etc ---> MBB etc Consultant...Promotion to consultant can be much quicker than elsewhere as you have the ability to take repsonsibility much earlier, due to typically smaller sizes of team within PA. However you need to get on the right projects and really apply yourself.Not sure on the MBA route, though 2 years in PA in the right projects can set you up very nicely for other consulting roles or senior industry roles.(ii) learn your trade and commit to Definetly, WLB can be better if you pick the right projects. Its not the right place if you expect projects to be found for you / you are their to soak up as much as possible. You will need to perform quickly to achieve promotion and be sought on projects.Hope this helps

Strategy & Marketing Practice has its ups and downs, it does do some good work in the private sector but has been known to rely on government work to fill gaps. Where people go next can vary, people have left to go to McKinsey, OC&C, LEK and investment banking, others have found it difficult to get the move they want. The brand is well thought of in patches, but clearly not as well known as others.Head to head versus Deloitte I would say is pretty similar, similar work, similar clients and even to an extent similar people. It comes down to who you prefer during your interviews.Progression in PA is fast for good acheivers, bonuses can vary by Practice and performance, best SMP bonus at junior ranks I heard of was pushing 100%, though that was exceptional. Normal would be anywhere from 10%-30% at junior level.

'Paer' and 'Ex Pa' – Thank you for your comments, your insights are greatly appreciated!I think I am really starting to get a clearer picture of what to expect at PA, much of which appeals to me greatly.So many thanks again :)