Help! I think I hate consulting! What's next?
Hi Guys,
I am a first year analyst at IBM within the Digital Strategy consulting practice, definitely the best division to be in at IBM consulting today! I am part of a few really cool internal initiatives and am relatively known in my group (80 first years so being known is good). I have a few problems.
Considering my anonymity, I will share my entire profile to help with any suggestions moving forward.
- BBA Michigan
- $73k + 7K + bonus so probably 83k after bonus
1) The bench is really, really deep. According to a recent report, ~ 25% of first years are on billable work.
- I was on an important client engagement, but rolled onto the bench 2 weeks ago and am terribly bored. I am not learning anything and I find the client work pretty boring.
- What should I be doing with my free time? We have trainings, but they kind of stink and are really light. I have no experience with technology, so maybe that? Something like python, c++? Similarly, I want to get better at modeling, but don't want to shell out the cash for a WSO program or something. Any suggestions?
- The good news about my program is, in terms of promoting, it is almost expected that you'll be on internal work for the first year, meaning I'm on target for the 2nd year promotion lol.
- I would like to stick it out for at least 1 year. If we leave before 1 year, we have to pay back $7k
After promotion, ~$100-115k all in (normally occurs 1 year 8 months - 2 years)
2) I want to break into VC
- I have connections, I keep up to date with investments, go to events, starting a thesis to share with my connections. I think it is possible.
My ask of WSO:
Knowing my information and background, what do you suggest I do?
A) Trainings/Personal Learning
B) When is too early to leave?
C) Am I being a p*ssy millenial who has a fine job, but want's to "change the world"
D) Any insight you may have
25% of 1st year analysts staffed? Yikes. It would be insanity at my firm if there were that many analysts on the beach.
A) Attend industry events in your area and use your bench time to network. B) Best to stick it out 2 years or until a really good opportunity comes along you can't say no to. C) I don't know enough about you to say, but there are worse things than getting paid above $80k straight out of school. D) Sounds like you want to be at a VC long-term. Use this time while you are on the bench to network your butt off to try to make that happen.
There's a difference between being bored with your current role but liking the industry (big picture) and hating what you do and the industry but using it as a stepping stone.
In either case, I would stay for 2 yrs (minimum 1 is a requirement or you will not be taken seriously anywhere). If you actually like the industry and the "idea" of what you do, just not all the tasks understand you are at the entry point of a career. This addresses the option C comment. Many in your age group were brainwashed to think you can have what you want whenever you want it. The reality is, most entry level jobs suck. Do you htink a CPA likes his first few yrs in audit (boring as shit)? Or a salesmen of any product cold calling or a Movie director being a gopher production assistant. It's called paying your dues. If you want a promising career in anything, you have to pay your dues. If you want to be in control sooner, go start a company and figure it out.
A word most millenials need to appreciate is :.... wait for it ..." patience"
Worked at IBM and don't care if I get doxxed.
IBM gives recent graduates a very long leash for about two years. The first year, you're really just acclimating on how to transition from college to corporate. By the end of the first year, you're going to need to have figured out YOUR winning path, the skills you need to accumulate along the way and then you're going to need to develop those skills. Because by the 1.5 year mark, you'll be promoted and you'll be expected to be the person you've been training to be.
The hardest thing about working at IBM for a young professional is the lack of formal structure and managerial hand-holding. There is no defined career trajectory within the company - just band levels. Your manager doesn't care what you do on a day-to-day basis, but you better make sure your end product is what he/she cares about. Really, the company would love to see you progress, but if you don't, they're totally cool having you doing the same thin you've been doing at the same pay at the same performance level.
The level of autonomy that IBM affords at such a young age ruins kids who've grown up structured. You have to have a plan, you have to execute the plan no matter whatever else is going on the company and you have to be pretty fucking good at what you do or you'll never get recognized. Learn to love and channel your inner autodidact.
I always thought about working at IBM as being my own little enterprise within this massive enterprise. I had my own branding, I developed niche technical subject matter expertise and I sold myself every step of the way. But for the first 2 - 3 years, you're sharpening a skill set to compete against the deeply entrenched incumbents. Don't get lulled to sleep when you're basically being paid to train for this moment.
But how about some tangibles: 1. Choose an industry and never change it 2. Find someone(s) who’s job that you would want in the company and learn how to play that career trajectory
If you want to go VC, I would fight hard to move into work that looks like that in IBM while building the technical skills needed on the side via online resources. Craft yourself into the profile that VC is looking for. I promise you you’ll have the time and opportunities to do so in the company if you really want it. The IBM brand carries well despite all the MBA's talking up how great FAANGs are.