I applied to a Consulting job at Accenture and they wanted to put me in Technology. WTF ? Why did they do that ? I didn't study computer engineering, I studied Economics/Finance ffs...
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Because thats the role they need to fill. If you don't like it then just apply somewhere else. But if that's the role they have open, you can't expect them to change it around just to suit you.
So just because they have to fill it, they decide to put someone from a totally different background on it... Isn't that dumb?
Let's say I join Technology... Do you think it's possible to internally switch to Consulting after 2 years ?
No, it's not dumb at all. I think you lack seasoning in real world work environments. Just because someone's undergrad degree doesn't match the name of the department doesn't mean that they won't work there or that they won't do a good job. That happens ALL the time in the business world.
OK, but do you think they would allow me to switch to consulting afterwards or is the Technology > Consulting path something that barely happens & difficult to do ?
I can't speak for this company specifically but I think that it would be a reasonable pivot after you give your initial position 2 years. They will have rules about how often you can make such changes, but I don't see why they would block this particular Technology > Consulting role.
Just curious, why are you so stuck on consulting? Maybe it's because you're young and I'm old (I'm probably twice your age) but business travel just plain sucks. Do you know how hard it is to be on the road for that much? You're also digging your own grave because bonuses/raises will almost certainly be tied to your utilization rate and that is not always easy. It takes a very special breed to do that more than 2~ years and not get completely burned out on it. Even my younger colleagues (like 24-25 years old) get out of that line of work quickly.
Your major was economics. Did you really think all those critical thinking skills that you have from your study, especially compared to more centered majors like accounting or biz admin, weren't going to be valuable marketable skills you can apply to many roles and careers?
Just like GoingToBeAnMD stated, they need your skillset for a particular role. That's what a business's concern is. With the exception of smaller tech start-ups you generally cannot have them re-cater the position.
Be appreciative you got an offer at a prestigious company with a myriad of career opportunities in general that wants you.
thank you! is being at a prestigous company as you mentioned better than being unemployed for a bit in my case: I have a cs undergrad degree but no tech work experience, wanting to first move to software development and then after indepth experience, become a product manager. Should i be a technology analyst at Accenture? my other option is to be unemployed while studying for software development and/or go to bootcamps
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Take the job. Continue working towards development. Had a colleague leave our program within a year by cramming technical programming interview questions. Accenture won't be hard; you'll have plenty of time once your fully institutionalized and figure out the job (6 - 9 months).
Even better if you crush it your first year, early promote and you transfer out to SDE. More resume cache to compete with.
Best of luck!
Fwiw, I know a few guys in tech consulting. One works for Deloitte, the other for Accenture in their federal practice in DC.
The one at Deloitte has a very cushy lifestyle. He didn't break six figures out of undergrad, but gets paid well to do a lot of work from home (and chill a good amount while at home).
The one at Accenture says that it is a very lucrative space. He apparently knows people that are landing potentially millions in comp for delivering tech solutions to dinosaur government agencies. He's in his late 20's, but not bad.
Tech Consulting work is monkey work. You'll learn how to implement a large software product, over and over and over again.
Nobody is landing millions of dollars in technology consulting in their late 20's.
Generally I agree with you, from what I have observed secondhand.
Then again, by your logic most "product" work is monkey work. There are many millionaries at banks and law firms getting paid beaucoup bucks to execute the same transaction over and over again without much substantive variation between the projects - and even when that variation takes place, there's nothing about it that's reinventing the wheel. The paradox of high-caliber white collar work is that while the client is paying top dollar for brains that can handle the unexpected, they are also paying top dollar for a shop that can mitigate the unexpected almost to the point of non-existence. And so millions are made off of work that isn't especially unique/bespoke in the grand scheme of things.
I think you might be underestimating our government's largess as it applies to "consulting" work. But I admit this is all hearsay.
Agreed - typically salary and comp is as follows: Accenture College Grad: Analyst 75k 1-2 Years: Senior Analyst 80-90 3-5 Years: Consultant 90-100K 5-7 Years: Manager 120K 7-10 Years: Senior Manager 150K-200K 10+ Years: Managing Director, 250K Base + ~500K in Stocks (100K stocks given per year for 5 years)
Deloitte Undergrad: Analyst (Tech, S&O, HC) 75k 1-2 Years: Consultant 90k-110k 3-6 Years: Senior Consultant 110K - 140K (Non MBA), Y1 out of B School: 147K Base 6-8 Years Out of Undergrad, No MBA Manager: 150K-180K, OR MBA promoted Manager: 180k-200K Base 8-12 Years: Senior Manager: ~200-250K Base 12-15 Years: Partner, Year 1 400k-450K Base 2-3 years into Partner: 600-800K Service Line Partner (Responsible for P&L) ~ 5+ Years into Partner, >1M in Base
thank you! what do you mean by "implement a large software product, over and over and over again."? I have a cs undergrad degree but no tech work experience, wanting to first move to software development and then after indepth experience, become a product manager. Should i be a technology analyst at Accenture? my other option is to be unemployed while studying for software development and/or go to bootcamps
The technology consulting in mind is different from the tech solutions described. AFS (Accenture Federal Services) does many different things for the dinosaur agencies mentioned. Millions seem possible but not likely for most. Yes, the "technology consulting" itself is not exactly lucrative, but there is a distinct difference with some of the "tech solutions" which is a little more off the beaten path.
Generally I agree with you, from what I have observed secondhand.
Then again, by your logic most "product" work is monkey work. There are many millionaries at banks and law firms getting paid beaucoup bucks to execute the same transaction over and over again without much substantive variation between the projects - and even when that variation takes place, there's nothing about it that's reinventing the wheel. The paradox of high-caliber white collar work is that while the client is paying top dollar for brains that can handle the unexpected, they are also paying top dollar for a shop that can mitigate the unexpected almost to the point of non-existence. And so millions are made off of work that isn't especially unique/bespoke in the grand scheme of things.
I think you might be underestimating our government's largess as it applies to "consulting" work. But I admit this is all hearsay.
to OP - pretty arrogant perspective on your job offer. Most of my value-add professional experience has come from placements based on business need, rather than where (I thought based on limited insight) I wanted to be.
Breadth of technical expertise is gained by working closer to operational businesses. Breadth will make you a valuable tool to transfer skills and contextual familiarity with different industries. And if you perform well in an area where the business clearly has a need, you will likely stand out.
From my own experience as a financial analyst supporting cybersecurity, ERP, and software engineering organizations, I can tell you that the demand for technology consulting is in critical demand, and much of the consulting work is based around Change Management.
I can also tell you that through my experience supporting these organizations, with just a Finance undergrad degree, I have learned about firewalls, network and identity access security, cyberthreat analysis & response, ERP platforms, software licensing, software project methodology, etc. I have also been introduced to cloud computing and data science - all things which would benefit anyone entering the workforce these days, as virtually all industries and functions will leverage these technologies.
The underlying principles for consulting are fairly transitive regardless of technical specifics. If you are afraid of being placed in Tech vs. general business consulting, I think it shows a lack of (or fear of a lack of) aptitude to learn cross-functional skills.
thank you! I have a cs undergrad degree but no tech work experience, wanting to first move to software development and then after indepth experience, become a product manager. Should i be a technology analyst at Accenture? my other option is to be unemployed while studying for software development and/or go to bootcamps
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