Life of an IT Consultant

dude.... i feel for you. sux not being where you want to be. seems to me you're depressed mostly because you have nothing else in your life distracting you. let me suggest something: if it's feasible, try getting a cheaper place, start saving more money, and make sure your new place is close to somewhere with lots of people. find yourself a girlfriend (or boyfriend) and if you already have one, either spend more time with them, or find a new one, coz they're obviously not making you happy. get a hobby. write a book. read a book. (not necessarily in that order) start taking kung-fu or ceramics. build model airplanes. get a good computer game. but mostly company. get some friggin comapny man. you need a few good friends beside you and a significant other. because those are the things that become really important in life. a job remains a job (unless you really love what you're doing - but that's pretty rare). use your weekends productively - go hiking, join a hiking club - who knows who you'll meet.

i've come to a realization a while ago. life is empty. all of it is meaningless. no matter how i put it, when i zoom out, i catch sight of the insignificance of it all, and it's pretty awful. but then i zoom back in. i realize i have all the things (most of them) that bring me joy in life, and most of them are people.

Oh - i'm happy about the non work like aspects of my life (church, friends, women) - i'm unhappy in my exit opportunities and ... career?

This is depressing.

I wish you well.

then you either go to business school, try to get an IT gig somewhere better (better pay without longer hours) or make a complete switchover - save some money, get a graduate degree in something else that interests you. u did international studies? why didn't you go for the state department? cia? get a degree in economics and work for a research firm... if strategy is what you want to do, go get an mba.

but either way, tune down the career importance and tune up the rest.

That sucks about your work man. Why don't you focus on applying to business schools, craft really good essays, get good rec's, get a 700+ GMAT, then transition to another industry?

Network, go to business school and network.

So besides Bschool - there's nothing I can do ?

I want to do loyalty marketing.

I've already applied to bschools and am in the process of applying to a final one in round 3.

I've got the recommenders, have the GMAT and felt my essays were ok. Waitlisted to Anderson Round 1.

I was wondering how hard is it do an internal transfer to IBD if you join an investment bank's IT department first. Has anybody done it before?

Kenneth,

No offense to anyone but I wouldn't recommend a career in IT-Consulting. Now matter how good you are at IT-Consulting, there will always be some Chinese or Indian that can do your job better and cheaper, no pun intended. I can't even imagine how many IT-consultant positions Accenture and IBM have moved overseas to cheaper countries. And the jobs that are here are pretty shaky. Accenture and IBM are known for hiring more and more contractors because they are cheaper employees (no real health benefits, no PTO) and cheaper to get rid of (no severance, even if you were there 4 years). Luckily you are 24 so you can always get an MBA, just be sure to have a focus that's in demand, and start over career-wise. Good luck

I hope this doesn't come off harsh, because I don't mean for it to, but you seem to be complaining and saying that you can't do better (even though you absolutely loathe your job). I don't buy it, there are plenty of people who went to worse colleges with worse grades, there are plenty of people who didn't even graduate college, or in some cases high school, who are successful and love their jobs. They have drive, ambition, confidence, and perseverance. There are plenty of jobs out there you can get, that will make you happy and pay more than your current job. You just have to find them and earn them. Congrats on applying to b-school! It could be an important first step.

dude you make 75k, why are you cutting your wrists man?

Hmm. Just went thru this post for the third time. Makes me think and think and think..

I feel you man, but you need to pick yourself up. I went to a better school than you and majored in IR. I realized my senior year that I wanted to work in finance (I didn't know doing what yet) but it was way too late and a bunch of shoes were about to fall (I was networking with Bear Stearns S&T in Feb. '08).

I've been working in custody for the past year and a half, making just under 40k. I can't deny it, I hate my job. It's the most tedious, unstimulating stuff I could possibly think of. It makes spreading comps look awesome. But that's not even what bothers me. I know what I want to do (deep value/special sits. investing) but I have no idea whether I will ever get there. If it weren't for wanting do that, my job wouldn't bother me. It's easy, provides great job security, and if I get promoted again, I'll have 42 days of vacation a year. None of my friends work in finance and I know very few people who understand what IBD or investing is. Basically, if it weren't for wanting something else, my situation would be fine.

You should ask yourself what you what you want out of b-school and where you want to be headed. It seems like you're just going through the motions, IT consulting/b-school/save enough to buy a house. Not that that's a bad plan, but I think you're depressed because you're not going anywhere. There's no way (short of divine intervention) that I will be making 75k when I'm 24, even after working 4 years and graduating with honors from a top 30 school. But I don't care. Career-wise, I just want to be on the buyside in a FO role, even if it pays what I'm making now. That may sound ridiculous, but I just want an opportunity to do what I love (just as far as work goes, I obviously don't spend my entire day getting hard about investment research).

Do what stimulates you. You say you're not that smart, but there's got to be something out there you actually WANT to do for a living.

You are most certainly not alone in your feelings toward work. You are definitely lucky enough to still be young and realize that this is not the field for you; you have options.

Everyone is recommending a graduate degree and that is a very safe option that can further your degree and provide more job opportunities; but, you run the risk of hating the job you receive again.

There is another option that is riskier: Entrepreneurship.

My brother was a banker at a bulge bracket and hated his life and ended up quitting and focusing on himself, his girlfriend, and has been in the process of starting his business. He is very dedicated and serious and knows that if this doesn't work out, there's always grad school down the line. If you are young and passionate about an idea, you may be able to pursue something that you truly enjoy.

Good Luck with all your options, I know you'll be fine because getting a 3.8 gpa at any school is difficult, it shows your character.

one of the better posts i've read in awhile

Here's something that might cheer you up. http://www.youtube.com/user/shaytards The guy who quit his job and started doing what he loved doing most; DJing, Vlogging and Being with his family. (I'm not telling you to quit your job! Just see how others deal with life.)

Dude money is not everything.......SUCCESS IS!

I hope your real name is not Kenneth Chen.

As an International Studies major, you are in much better shape than average. Trying to compare your success to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quarter-life_crisis

I am Kenneth Chen.

But yes - very symptomatic of QLC. =/

i doubt your LSAT cap is a 163. If you are really interested in going to law school, but aren't happy with your score there are a lot of ways to improve it. If you want I can PM you suggestions.

wow. great post. it really illustrates the difference between IT/audit consulting and strategy/management consulting.
Hopefully you can go to b-school to find a career you love.

While this may seem completely off topic, I was curious to know if you do any physical activity, possibly at the hotel gym. There has been amazing studies on the anti-depressant effects of people who work-out regularly. You may want to see if you can start exercising regularly to reduce your depression. My friend was in a similar job, and he pretty much just ate bad food, and drank a lot, but as soon as he started a regular exercise regime his depression changed dramatically. You be surprised how attitude can bring good things. ....Just a thought.

Just for the record - i'm perfectly happy with my personal life.

It is my career life that is sad =P.

I play bball twice a week back home.

My hotel's gym has two treadmills =P

This is an awesome post, man.

GoodBread:

Basically, if it weren't for wanting something else, my situation would be fine.

Heh, that line really struck me man. I do believe you hit the nail on the head... That line alone is worth a post in and of itself. But I'll restrain the urge to go off on an existential tangent, however, and try to stick to the point.

Kenneth, it's good that you've come to the realization that you need to make some serious changes, but your situation isn't nearly as bad as you think it is. $75k/year for a 24 yr old in this economy is good money (high-powered industries like IBD notwithstanding). Now that, on top of working basically 4 days a week? Come on, man.

The entrepreneurship option is open to you, as jatinb pointed out. This can be a great option for those who are willing to take the plunge. Aside from that, b-school is always there to allow you to make a career change. You've got a good shot. Only thing with b-school, applying in round 3 puts you at a real disadvantage (for example, last year in round 3 Wharton had 600 candidates for 10 spots; do the math). So if you don't get into the school you want right now, don't get discouraged, just apply in round 1 to a bunch of schools in the fall.

Dagro's completely right in saying that the only thing that will make you happy at the end of the day is other people. But what you do for a living matters too, and a great deal.

if you add "bullsh" in front of "IT" you get "Life of a BullshIT Consultant"... fyi...

Surprised at how constructive this thread has been, interesting discussion.

The post was so genuine and real with no hidden pretenses such as "Help rank my amazing offers" threads, and I think everyone picked up on it and just wanted to help. Great to see that not everyone on this site is obnoxious like the trolls.

You're thinking too short term. In IT consultant you're getting a valuable skillset and industry knowledge that can be applied to the financial services down the line because you've developed an expertise in an industry (i.e. work in equity research, venture capital, etc.), except when you enter these positions, you would be going in at a higher position. This guy Mark Suster was an IT consultant, started and sold an IT company, and then became a venture capitalist (http://www.bothsidesofthetable.com/). It's too short-sighted comparing yourself to other analysts when you're getting paid while receiving unique exposure that your peers aren't getting.

As a former banker, now working in an internet startup, your experience is valuable and in high demand.

Ricky ZipGigs.com

The QLC thing is impressively accurate.

I always expected work to be harder than school, but my job is actually way easier than school was and it's the pressure get to a better/more interesting job (mostly self-imposed pressure) that I find challenging.

Agree w/dagro. You're measuring happiness by your ability (or lack) to buy your family expensive gifts. There are many 24-year olds who would kill for a $75k job with a 4-day workweek.
You have almost 50% of the week to do what you please, but you're focusing on something that you don't have: satisfaction. That's not something that a new job or a shiny new degree will get you.

Try answering the following question: "what would you do if all of your basic needs would be taken care of for the rest of your life?" no student loan debt, house and car paid for, no bills ever, fridge always full.... you get the idea

I'd suggest expanding your network with people who: a) enjoy what they do - regardless of industry/role b) work in areas in which you have a slight interest the 'group a' people might be able to help you figure out what brings you true fulfillment and satisfaction the 'group b' people will be able to tell you the real-deal about the sectors where you're thinking of going

Is it possible for you to transition into another consulting role within the current firm that you are working at? Maybe Management or Strategy? If it is an option maybe networking with those departments and your superiors and letting them know you want to make a change. Maybe it's the shift you are looking for or if you end up deciding against business school...

Either way best of luck and thanks for the insight!

I'm actually in the process of trying that switch right now at my company (from IT consulting to Management Consulting/Strategy) and it really is important to network to with those managers . Basically, when a role opens up you want to be the person on their mind when they try to staff the opening. It seems like the management consulting side of the company prefers to staff those who are originally from management consulting, who IMO are of a higher caliber than on the IT side.

Don't be too shy about reaching out to senior management, you'll have to differentiate yourself somehow as a good fit for a management consulting type role.

Just out of curiosity capitols, how do you network with people within the company without pissing off your department? Do you just not tell them? Or do they not really care that you're trying to make the switch?

I would cold email people at the company who are doing interesting work, network at happy hours, talk with alumni friends, etc. All of that can be done without my department noticing, if I do come across something good then I would have to inform them that I'm trying to switch out.

I know this is an old post but, having done a few years of IT consulting myself, I echo some of the same sentiments from the OP. The work is incredibly unfulfilling and somewhat of a dead-end even though it doesn't feel that way because you're still making a better-than-average living. The OP is lucky to have the 4/10 schedule, not all of us get that and the time at home (or lack of) makes a huge difference. I didn't have that and eventually burned out. I took a pay cut with a local company just to get off the rat race of being on the road. At the end of the day, what good is money that gets you nice things if you don't have the time to actually enjoy them? Plus there's something to be said for sleeping in your own bed. That doesn't sound like a big deal, but after a few months on the road you start to understand "Fight Club" SO much better :)

i think you need to figure out what it is that you would enjoy doing, and start working towards that goal.

if you are interested in management consulting side of business, your best bet is to attend a top 10 mba and switch out. also, a top mba will get you access to IB and other corporate finance sides of work, which may suit your interests more.

Is IT consulting really that much of a dead end? no decent exit ops, etc... from your description it surely sounds like the kiss of death

sounds really sad, but seriosly I don't think many MBB consultants would say that they really like their job or that they really use their skills at their job. I work at a tier 1 consultancy myself, and I can tell you it's not all gold here either. I really can't tell you right know which one is better: Three day weekends or the higher pay/better exit opps. Of course you can say that in the future you'd be glad if you had this job because you'd get a better job, but then again it sucks to miss out on life when it should be the best years that you could ever have...