Hi all, I'm yet another fresh-faced grad due to join the hordes at ACN and I've seen a lot of advice on here regarding sticking with large consultancies to get the experience necessary to "do what you really want to do". I'm planning on doing this, but with the added complication that I also will need a MA or MSc to realistically be in with a chance of getting the best roles in my chosen area, even with a few years experience as a tech/mc/strat consultant. I basically wanted to know if anyone had any experience or advice for me. Would it be feasible to study part-time through distance learning (i.e. evenings and weekends) whilst also working as an A1/A2? A bit of background: I've already interned with ACN and am well aware of the work/life balance before adding extra academic work to the mix. The area I would be looking at in the long-term is International Development Consultancy (Companies like http://www.itad.com/index.aspx or maybe the ADP program within Accenture)

[quote]Hi all, I'm yet another fresh-faced grad due to join the hordes at ACN and I've seen a lot of advice on here regarding sticking with large consultancies to get the experience necessary to "do what you really want to do". I'm planning on doing this, but with the added complication that I also will need a MA or MSc to realistically be in with a chance of getting the best roles in my chosen area, even with a few years experience as a tech/mc/strat consultant. I basically wanted to know if anyone had any experience or advice for me. Would it be feasible to study part-time through distance learning (i.e. evenings and weekends) whilst also working as an A1/A2? A bit of background: I've already interned with ACN and am well aware of the work/life balance before adding extra academic work to the mix. The area I would be looking at in the long-term is International Development Consultancy (Companies like http://www.itad.com/index.aspx or maybe the ADP program within Accenture)[/quote]Neither. Save your money and if you must do a masters complete an MBA at LBS/Insead etc a few years down the line.And MA/MSc/MEng only really helps differentiating yourself from all the other graduates when you're trying to get that first job. Focus on what you need to learn in your chosen career.No one will give a hoot you've got a masters if you want me to be blunt, you'll get chucked into roles where people are needed irrespective of whether you've got the right knowledge/expertise....you're working for acn remember.

agree with above. when I joined ACN eons ago, if you came in with a PhD you got an extra £500 a year - great ROI!

I beg to disagree...it is not all about money in the short term that is..Go for your MA or MSc. If you are working for an international consultancy firm it will be very helpful. In the UK degrees are not highly regarded but this is not the case outside the UK. An MBA is of course the best option but it will cost you an arm and a leg especially if it is one from LBS or similar prestigious institutions. An MA in International development will definitely help you with your carreer in this field that you chose.

[quote]I beg to disagree...it is not all about money in the short term that is..Go for your MA or MSc. If you are working for an international consultancy firm it will be very helpful. In the UK degrees are not highly regarded but this is not the case outside the UK. An MBA is of course the best option but it will cost you an arm and a leg especially if it is one from LBS or similar prestigious institutions. An MA in International development will definitely help you with your carreer in this field that you chose.[/quote]

Thanks for the advice, I´m pretty interested in working in other countries (particularly Latin America in the future), and from what I´ve experienced so far you´re right about the respect that the UK education system has abroad.My motivation for the MA/MSc was never really about trying to squeeze more money out of ACN, but looking for the long term....

I don't know if Samboy has any masters degrees but i have two (don't ask) and not once did i ever feel they did anything substantial to get me the best roles, i got chucked into what was available. At best they secured me interviews and really helped in getting that first job. Plus they weren't a donkey degree like international development.