Hi, I'm starting up with ACN in 6 months time in BSI and would really appreciate some adivice as to what skills I can equip myself in the interim period that will put me in pole position (if your advice is "don't join" please save it). I know that at ACN you find your own jobs and obviously the more you bring to the table the more meatier the projects you can get into. In terms of computer useage I am only a user and have a lot of experience on MS Office applications but have no programming experience. Does anyone have any advice as to what I might do in the next 6 months that will place me in good stead- could be learn a language, a basic programming qualification etc. Obviously if it is very expensive to learn then I might be best of waiting until I am taught on the job, on the other hand if it is affordable and means that I can do the ABC prior to my start day it will be well worth getting it out the way now. Merci et auvoir.

a thick skin ;0)

Seriously - don't bother.This may sound a bit defeatist but there's not a lot you can actually do.I assume you are joining the usual business & systems integration workforce - in this case programming will be no use as you will never use it. They will teach you a bit of visual basic and possibly java during the initial training which you will promptly forget and never use again. They have specialised programmers for this - you will probably end up working alongside them.Regarding learning a language - only do this if you actually want to work in a country that speaks that language. Most of your work will be UK based so its fairly irrelevant. When there is an opportunity to work abroad it will probably be filled by someone who speaks the language better than you (i.e a native speaker or language graduate.) By all means go and learn a language (it's very rewarding!) but only if you have personal reasons for doing so, don't do it just for work.The only practical thing you can really do is brush up on your skills with MS Office. It really helps if you are good with powerpoint, excel etc...but as you have said that you already are - I suggest you just relax, enjoy the next 6 months and decide what to spend your bonus on.