| Topic Name: |
Technology vs. Strategy |
| Message Name: |
Advice |
| Date Posted: |
03/16/2006 |
| In Reply To: |
Interesting.. Considering the amount of business/liberal arts edcuated analysts Accenture hires, it is surprising that they all, according to you, will stay in IT. |
| Message: |
As someone who perhaps has not done much IT before it is understandable that you are confused at potential paths in ACN. Once you are in the firm it is irrelevant what your degree was.
Note - it can never be underestimated how technology focused ACN is. Technology means: programming, writing test scripts, designing IT systems, desiging architecture... It is technical to the lowest level (especially as an Analyst).
There is some strategic work done in ACN in an IT context, e.g. IT Strategy, Organisational Re-design (for IT functions), Operating Model (for IT organisations), setting up Outsourcing deals etc. It is ALL IT related.
It is possible to transition from doing Strategic IT work to a Strategy house that is dipping it's finger in Strategy execution and needs some IT expertise. The problem you will face is positioning yourself in ACN such that you work on the Strategic IT stuff. This happens more-or-less by chance. If this is your goal from the outset then you will be swimming against the tide the whole time.
If you cannot see a career in IT then 1) re-think joining ACN or 2) ensure you join a group that does Strategic work (e.g. SITE within the Strategy practice etc). There are some very small "pure" strategy groups (e.g. Accenture Marketing Sciences - AMS that do strategy work like market mix optimisation, channel/product positioning etc) within ACN but it is difficult to be recruited into them as an undergrad.
Good luck.
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