Having read many of the threads here on Top Consultant, I have yet to find any practical accounts of life within strategy consulting as...a Junior Associate for e.g. (though I have not researched all 4000+ threads either). Any brief, day in the life accounts, from junior associates in particular would be very much appreciated.Thanks to all the constructive contributors!

Well, that because it's all smoke and mirrors. We sit around all day, engaging in mammoth debates about the nature of our organisations, the contribution we make to the economy/ the wider world and about the "tier" we inhabit. We also call random extension numbers in IBM/Bt etc., laughing at their pathetic educational achievements and paltry compensation packages. Cynical, moi?

I recommend reading the "Inside Careers" guide. www.insidecareers.co.uk or you can also get it from the IMC I think.

Try thread 18351

NOTE THAT ALL COMMENTS BELOW APPLY ONLY TO STRAT HOUSES (before all the Big 4 and IT guys pounce on me saying that it doesn't reflect work practices at their firms).As an associate (or ass. for short), you're job will primarily be (in the order of importance):1. Research - Could involve conducting a large number of interviews of customers, suppliers, competitors, management, etc. and archiving your interview notes in such a way they could be easily retrieved later (not as easy as it sounds) - Could involve gathering massive amounts of data...from the Internet, proprietary research reports, and of course from within the client company. You'll have to design spreadsheet templates in order to make your life easier when it comes time to actually crunch the data. - Probably takes 40% of your total engagement time2. Spreadsheet analysis/modeling - Involves your usual monte carlo simulations, pivot tables, what-ifs, etc. - Probably takes 40% of your overall engagement time3. Deck writing - Involves many iterations - Spread throughout the engagement, as there are steering/executive committee meetings requiring regular updates - Probably takes 20% of of your total engagement time4. Do whatever your superiors ask you to do - Everything short of bending forward and taking it up the a-- (although there are days when that actually seems preferable) - A popular example is helping an EM or Partner write a proposal or pitch deck - Takes up another 20% of your total timeThere is no "typical" day. Some days will involve 100% customer interviews. Some days will involve 100% number crunching. Some days will involve 100% deck writing. It's not an easy job, involving 10-15 hrs of daily grind. and I do NOT look back to my ass. days with much fondness.

120% of your working day spent on client work? What do you do with the other 19.264 %Shurely shome mishtake...

I added it up to 120% on purpose, dumb-ass, to highlight the fact that you're working more than 8-10 hrs/day.

Plus the last 20% is for work that's not necessarily related to your actual client engagement. It could involve helping out on a pitch/proposal, participating in recruiting events, helping an EM or Partner write a white paper, etc. It's not enough to do great client work, ass.'s are also measured on extra-curricular activities.

Yeah right

I'm only a smart-ass to those who are dum-asses. Straight-up and insightful questions get straight-up and insightful responses.

I saw the 120% and understood the meaning... obviously I would fit in nicely to a strat firm :)

You added it up wrong then!The first three sections came out of your total (or overall) engagement time. The fourth (being compromised by your superiors) came out of your total time.So if your non client engagement time = 20% of your total time, then the engagement time must = 80% of your total time (even if this can then be further broken down into it's constituent parts 40:40:20).Did you think your extra curricular activities were part of the job description Benq? Just refuse next time, you dumb...!

Think Beng's assessment is spot-on. Reading this list of what a strat consultant's work involves took me right back to my days at Roland Berger. This is exactly what you should expect - oh and allow a fair amount of travelling time outside of office hours...Tony

No wait...vote Beng for Pope!

Oh God please forgive me - it was the humour - it got the better of me.Must dash now, but good luck to you all.