Management Consulting / Accenture

[MH]

Based on my years at PW I would say Fittster's had it pretty much spot on in all his replies.

The new graduates in IT 'consultancy' were programmers for a few years before getting some kind of consultant title. That just means they've seen a bit of IT and been on a lot of courses. Trouble is once they have started to become good programmers they are off to be analysts and project leaders to make room for the next lot that have been on a few courses. Don't get me wrong it could be a good career and despite most of the comments here will be good on a cv if you stick it out.

It's not always true that they have the people with all the skills either. If you include IBM in the mix (for IT work) then I know several contractors that worked for them on client sites and had to pretend to be IBM staff!! They were working with stuff like Websphere and getting (earning ?) about £100/hr so god only knows what IBM were charging them out at.

Mike

[koolchris99]

btw Accenture hire both programming IT grads and general graduates

IT guys do programming

normal grads do the bullst talking

[okgo]

Sounds like the Foxtons of its industry!

[Blue Oval84]

The Accidenture link made me laugh. Wish I felt comfortable to say more about them on the internet

[deckster]

So I've been in IT consultancy for 15 years now and have spent a significant proportion of that working next to Accenture people. In no particular order...

• They pay well, but not significantly better than most other consultancies
• They will work you like hell and treat you like st
• You will get a lot of really good experience, particularly as a new grad
• Training is very good, so long as you like all the consultancy bks
• They are an excellent name to have on your CV. It's hard to think of a better one, to be honest
• However amongst grass-roots IT people (as can be seen on this thread) they have a certain...reputation...which isn't the best

The main problem with Accenture is that they sell themselves as being the best, whereas individually they're probably just a little bit better than average. Some of their consultants are great, some couldn't consult their way onto a bus. Just like anywhere else really. Personally, if I was a new grad offered a place at Accenture I'd grab it with both hands, stick it for five years, work out what I actually like doing and then go and do it.

Oh yes - one final, and potentially not insignificant point - Accenture are pretty much the only IT consultancy out there that seem to put fit women into technical roles. Therefore, working on an Accenture project is always pleasant for the eye-candy if nothing else

[Fittster]

deckster said:

Personally, if I was a new grad offered a place at Accenture I'd grab it with both hands, stick it for five years, work out what I actually like doing and then go and do it.

I agree with most of what you say but I'd argue with the point above. To get into Accenture you are going to be a pretty good grad (good A levels, good university, good degree, etc). The world is going to be offering you lots of opportunities at that point in your life. Why would you choose Accenture?

The money is good but it's not earth shattering brilliant, the hours are probably going to be long and the work for most grads is going to be fairly unrewarding. It's the sort of job a decent grad ends up with when they lack the imagination to think of anything better, a bit like an average grad becoming a teacher.

When you retire from accenture you aren't likely to have any interesting stories to tell the other old people in the retirement home.

[ewenm]

Fittster said:

When you retire from accenture you aren't likely to have any interesting stories to tell the other old people in the retirement home.

The vast majority of grads won't stay with Accenture for life. Most will move on to other things within a few years. I started with PwC Consulting in 1999 in a start group of about 30 grads. I think 20-25 of us have left since then, I left in 2005 (I think ).

PwC Consulting became part of IBM but I'm not counting that as "leaving".

[fido]

Q.

Fittster said:

Why would you choose Accenture?

A.

Fittster said:

It's the sort of job a decent grad ends up with when they lack the imagination to think of anything better

Ok I did go for one of their graduate interviews many moons ago, and have to say it is easy to be impressed by the 'package' they are offering .. you can laugh about it when you're more experienced but this is potentially a dream job for many grads.

Having said that my particular experience wasn't so great. 3 on 1 interview (to intimidate their inexperienced victim) and 2 of them making 'baldy' jibes at the quiet one - had a feeling that was going to be my future role.