Hi everyone, Just landed a 12 month internship with a big4 company in Technology consulting. (Where could that be?). I am very keen on chasing a career in the consulting industry and this seems like a good place to start. However, I am not entirely sure if I would like to pursue a career in IT consulting. Would anyone share their experience regarding IT consulting? Is it as dynamic as operational and strategy, are they good exit options (probably would end up in industry in few years if I start to burn out). Would really appreciate some opinions since I am open to new challenges if the environment provides them. I am aware of the basic differences just wondering if IT is also an exciting place to be a consultant. My second question is much easier. Ruling out ACN and IBM (Both cultures really don't suit me...) my other option would be to change to strategy. Should I make the push to MBB or rather stay with big4X? Do I have a chance for a grad job after 12 months of experience in consulting? Furthermore, I am really getting the doubts of whether I want to be in such a competitive environment with Phd and Cambridge graduates for colleagues being not from an Ivy league university myself... But given the myths about how big4 treat you and how you are no one since they are so many of you I am really considering this option. Is that really true. Is big4 so much worse than MBB regarding culture and objective performance evaluation and are the longer hours really worth it? My impression from reading on this and other forums is that big4 is more like 50-60h and MBB is 60h minimum stretching to 100h a week. If this is wrong and hours are the same I would be trying out my chances with MBB for sure. I bet they are many people in big4 asking themselves the same question. I hope someone could throw some light on this.Many thanks in Advance!

For your own sake learn how to make yourself understood before you even contemplate applying to any MC. Frankly your post reads like some confused jibberish and is full of contradictions.

An opinion or advice would be highly appreciated rather than a nob comment. Thanks

Fair point.You seem to have Big 4 and MBB the wrong way round (or maybe it's just the way you have written) - expect gruelling hours and brutal appraisals at MBB. The culture is more forgiving at Big 4. If IBM and Accenture dont appeal then strike Deloitte off the list (unless you can get into S&O), it's effectively the same. Leaves you looking at the other Big 4 or MBB.Look honestly at your education and extra curriculars to evaluate your chances of getting into MBB. You'll realistically need a 1st from Oxbridge or equivalent at the moment, and positions of leadership in extra curriculars such as president of a meaningful society, captain of a 1st XI sports team etc. Even then the odds of making MBB arent great - it really is that competitive.

Thanks for the opinion. So if I understand correctly, you support the vision that MBB is hardcore hours and more competitive culture compared to Big4. This is exactly what I am worried at the moment regarding my career plans. What I am looking forward to is to get the working hours and the culture right.Furthermore, I don't consider working for Accenture since I feel they are so obsessed with results and delivery that they forget that they are working with people at the end of the day (or at least that is what I felt during their assessment center). IBM seem like the very opposite - good work life balance but considerably lower pay as well. And here comes my question, would you recon Deloitte Technology Consulting to be the middle ground between these two? And one last question. I don't really get what exactly Deloitte Technology practice deals with. I know it is very broad and diverse but to me it seems like they are heavily involved in system development which doesn't look that appealing to me. However, do they consult on emerging technologies in general or how IT could fit with client's business strategy? Thanks in advance.

"Furthermore, I don't consider working for Accenture since I feel they are so obsessed with results and delivery that they forget that they are working with people at the end of the day "Consulting isn't for you then.

And you got this by my opinion about one single firm? You think I am afraid of working long hours and meeting tough deadlines? My point was that I think there is more to being a successful consultant, like being a good mentor for example. I guess you missed that chapter. No wonder you spend the Sundays on this forum wondering why am I still not promoted...

Can you stop being so peevish and defensive?"I"s statement is correct. You are an intern, meaning that your skills as a mentor will not be relevant for the best part of a decade. Results and delivery are *all* that consulting is about, the rest are hygiene factors. All consulting firms are like ACN, if you think ACN is not people friendly guess what - pretty much nowhere else is. The reason you think IBM is nicer on the lifestyle is that they are not a consulting firm in any way that is comparable to ACN or big 4.

[quote]Can you stop being so peevish and defensive?"I"s statement is correct. You are an intern, meaning that your skills as a mentor will not be relevant for the best part of a decade. Results and delivery are *all* that consulting is about, the rest are hygiene factors. All consulting firms are like ACN, if you think ACN is not people friendly guess what - pretty much nowhere else is. The reason you think IBM is nicer on the lifestyle is that they are not a consulting firm in any way that is comparable to ACN or big 4.[/quote]I am not defensive I just don't like people being so arrogant and laughing over an intern... Sure you know more than me and I have very little impressions about consulting since I've only read about it... However, I appreciate your comments. Looking forward to see what it is really like and would make my mind from there.

I was not arrogant and I wasn't laughing at you! From what you have written, you obviously have done no research on what consulting is. So here's my final comment/suggestion: Research! read websites of consultancies, check company reviews on glassdoor and profiles on linkedin, visit career fairs, speak with alumni/friends working in consultancies, watch youtube videos on consultancies... the options are endless. No one here will be your career counsellor. I wish you the best of luck in your internship & career.

Felamon,I have just read this thread and can see where the frustration from the other experienced guys is coming from...All they mean to say is that you are going to have a big shock if you truly believe there is a massive difference on how the big 4 go about doing business. I worked with a number of guys who over their careers had done the merry-go-round of promotions through moving across big 4s and all stated the same thing - whether you are in one or the other they are all similar bar this or that...Hence if your experience is in ACN and you are finding that its "all about delivery and not the people" then I'm afraid that unless you go onto a Human Resources project or join HR, this really is how it works in those companies.Nonetheless, its great there's some young 'uns joining so have fun! Go for the nights out, join the sports etc and make sure you have fun on the way up.