Booz Allen VS Deloitte Consulting Prestige
(Re wrote to dissolve any confusion my initial post was unclear)
I have an interview with Booz Allen Hamilton strategy consulting and one with Deloitte Technology Consulting (if it makes you feel better call it IT advisory). I may decline Deloitte tech all-together and speak with my recruiter about the S&O route they are offering my campus. Yes, I do have this option.
I'm looking for industry and personal opinions, who has the better brand? Pre-MBA prestige?
For starters, Booz Allen Hamilton (IT Consulting - mostly government / defense) is not Booz & Company (strategy). Pretty sure you don't just goose the HR lady and lateral between the two. I'm not sure if it's easier to transition from Deloitte IT Advisory to S&O - other folks can chime in there.
What you're referring to as one of the "old school players" is what is now known as Booz & Company, which it sounds like you don't have an interview with.
Thanks for your response but; I never implied that id "goose" anyone. I have specific information from the Manager/Associate level at both firms which have told me the respective steps in the lateral process. Do you work for BAH? Booz & Co? For barking at me like I don’t know the difference I hope you have some sort of stance. Also, for your information BAH in fact does have a strategy shop. You may want to do your homework before you go running your mouth. Also it is NOT Deloitte "IT Advisory". It is Deloitte Consulting, within the consulting arm of Deloitte and they regularly communicate with S&O and the other management oriented departments.
Second if you’re not going to put any directional input into a thread, go join BAWC. You literally added zero value into this thread with your (false-factual and pathetic) attempt at a put-down.
LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS
Get your rage under control will you? Your original message was vague, and did in fact sound very much like you didn't have a clue what you were talking about. Now you're just faffing around with gems like "it's not advisory, it's CONSULTING!!". Well done on reading their site.
First off, for overall prestige Deloitte ranks higher, and it'll give you a much greater selection of exit options - of that tier of companies, it is the rising star. Deloitte tech though would probably rank lower than BAH.
Second, based on the people I know from Deloitte, BAH, and Booz, being told how to lateral is a million miles away from "after 2 years I will lateral into the respective strategy/management consulting shops".
HR cannot give you any such guarantee, as it makes no sense. If they thought you should join Strat, they wouldn't make you dick around in tech/implementation for two years. Unless you get very lucky with your projects and roles, most of the skills you pick up will not be enough to make them want to move you - on the contrary, you'll be someone who is now pretty skilled in doing tech or implementation, so you belong there even more than the day you joined.
I'm not saying this to put down tech or BAH, but so you understand how low the likelihood of the move is. Many, if not most, people in Deloitte tech want to move to S&O. Many try. Rate of success is prob ~1 in 100, and those that make it are the envy of their peers (seriously). BAH strat is not Booz strat. People I know from BAH did not get to make a move to Booz, but had to get an MBA before making it to MBB.
ROFL.
I wasn't trying to be condescending at all. I don't know you, and had no basis to assume you knew the difference. Some folks want strategy consulting and think that IT consulting is the same thing. Apparently you know the difference. Not to mention, you specifically ask for bias and unbiased opinions?
How about this - fuck off intern. Good luck!
OP, if I were you, I would have a more open mind when someone offers advice/opinion. Worst case scenario, clarify their misunderstanding (of your misunderstanding?) and move on.
While djfiii's points taken to their most extreme meaning may not be true. The general tone is correct. I would phrase them this way:
-Be careful when someone is promising you an easy "lateral" within an organization. It's a great way to get someone in an organization (especially one where it's hard to lateral.) I've seen it from both sides. If you think about it - if you want to work in strategy, why would you start in IT? or from the company's point of view - if they wanted to hire someone to work in IT consulting, why would they hire someone that wants to lateral to strategy? Yes there are companies that allow lateral movement, but this is usually because someone has a specific skill that could be leveraged better elsewhere (and both partners feel that way). The laterals you hear about are not someone that took an entry level position hoping to end up somewhere else in the organization (not saying this is you necessarily.)
-While BAH might have a strategy wing, Booz and Company is the one people talk about. Be careful with what people call their groups. There are auditors that call themselves consultants, consultants that call themselves risk professionals, accountants that call themselves IT professionals. etc. Make sure you know what the group you are interviewing with does, not what they call the group.
To summarize: the OP has managed to get interviews in the less prestigious arms of two companies, has concluded that he/she will get offers at least one and in two years be in a position to lateral to the more prestigious part, seeks out advice as to which of the two is more prestigious, and then acts like a complete asshole to every commenter? Am I missing anything?
Nope, pretty much got it.
Seriously though, I'm really not an A-hole apologies if I came off as one. I have nothing but respect for those who came before me. I DON'T know it all. That's why I'm asking you guys.
But read mate, you will see.
LOL fabulously summarized. You are or will make a great consultant. WIsh I'd just read this post and not the rest of the thread :)
My opinion, Booz & Co > Deloitte S&O, though pay might be higher at Deloitte S&O...
Both awesome, just like you. I'm convinced it will work out exactly like you planned :)
Partner-in-Crime - quit apologizing, you're forgiven.
Just don't act like this during your interviews or the first couple years.
Booz & Co. & Deloitte S&O (Originally Posted: 11/06/2011)
Hey guys,
Just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on choosing Booz and Co. vs. Deloitte S&O. Booz is specifically for the Energy practice (and therefore based out of DC, though they are supportive of living in NYC), while Deloitte is for NYC.
Which one is better for getting into a top MBA, and by how much? My long-run goal is to do consulting for several years, get an MBA, a few more years of consulting, and then move into industry or potentially into PE. Bottom line for now is maximizing chances for a top MBA.
My initial opinion is that Booz is a more "prestigious" company and takes fewer people, so getting into a good MBA is more likely from Booz. However, I don't only want to do work in the Energy sector and worry it might pigeonhole me somewhat.
Any thoughts?
Overall, Booz will likely help you get into a "more prestigious" MBA program.
Talk to the people from the Booz DC Energy practice and see what kind of projects they do. You might be surprised and find that you like what you see.
Also, Booz industry practices are soft-aligned, meaning that while a majority of your work will be done in that industry, that doesn't mean you can't do work in other areas. And all you need to is one project in your industry of choice that you perform well in and you could potentially be pulled into more projects from the partner on the project. This is all best case scenario stuff, but something to consider.
Also, do you like the industries that Deloitte S&O NYC does? I'm guessing it's financial services heavy?
Both are great options. I'd go with Booz, both because of the delta in prestige, and the industry focus. The energy industry is going to experience radical changes over the next 20 years, so there will be tons of interesting work.
.
i think Deloitte would offer the opportunity to work in almost all industries and is less industry-focused than booz, and i would honestly prefer to be a generalist, but the booz name is a big draw, particularly since they are so strong in the energy space
redninja, could you elaborate on what you said..did your classmates ever say exactly what's so "off" about Booz? I've liked the people I met so far and haven't heard anything like that before.
Make sure you find out what kind of functional work you would end up doing in both firms as well, and then compare.
For instance, hypothetically would you rather do: -some strategy, but also operations and implementation work in diverse industries at Deloitte or -mostly strategy work in a narrower field at Booz
More food for thought
Bump. Summer offers at Deloitte S&O and Booz. What decision should I make in light of the Booz-PwC merger?
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