Calling all management consultants!

[Harriettah]

I've been offered a place on the grad scheme of one of the big consulting firms. I'm really shocked and flattered that I received this offer, I was not expecting it at all.

I have been reading up on the culture at the big firms in general, and have found mixed reviews of the experience and quality of life etc.

So my question is: would you recommend that a student who is straight out of university, single and childless, go into this field? Or would I be better off doing something else?

Go for it

Go for it! Great place to start your career. There will likely be long hours, some less interesting projects, but you will be massively rewarded in terms of opportunity for advancement, learning from senior colleagues and a great (presumably) name on your cv. I started in consulting in one of the Big Four and when the time came to move the name sold me as much as I did to future employers

Best time, you will be working really hard and expected to travel but it will be so exciting concentrating on building your career for the next few years. Good Luck!

My husband does it and I think if you’re energetic and adaptable, being young single and childless is a perfect time to do it.
And this a great way to learn skills and get to know a range of workplaces to see what would suit you if later on you want to move to a non-consultancy role.
I’d totally do it!

I'm a senior Mgmt Consultant at one of the big firms.

Definitely go for it, you will learn a lot, make great friendships and travel too. Being young, energetic and child free is the best time to do it. Expect to work hard but to play hard too!

When you are juggling childcare and school commitments later on in life, it's not so much fun.

Culture varies massively across the various firms. Some are much more rigid than others and presenteeism is still rife in the lower ranks.

Go for it. It’s great for a few years. Just don’t set your life up so you are financially dependent on maintaining that level of income so you can leave when you’re ready.

Definitely go for it.

You will work hard and learn lots. And if it's not for you by the end of the scheme, you will find yourself with many more options

Definitely go for it.

You will work hard and learn lots. And if it's not for you by the end of the scheme, or later in life, you will find yourself with many more options having done it.

Oops, it posted halfway through writing without me realising. Luckily I stand by what I said!

Definitely go for it - why wouldn't you? Congrats!

Thank you for all the support!

I suppose I'm hesitant because I've read some reports on Glassdoor and consulting forums about how they're 'slave-drivers' and you get little in return. I've also read some reports about sexism and harassment being widespread, especially of young, female new recruits, which have concerned me.

But I suppose that its the disgruntled employees who are more likely to post online to complain than those satisfied with their job, right?

Go for it .

People rarely write reviews for positive experiences . 🤣

Good luck