| Topic Name: |
technology background->consulting |
| Message Name: |
I have to disagree... |
| Date Posted: |
01/11/2003 |
| In Reply To: |
Hi,
I'm a senior at an ivy, double majoring in math & CS. I've had a few selective CS internships with big companies, however I want to move into strategy or IT consulting. I completely missed the recruiting deadlines for all the big firms that my school offers--my question now is, am i lost? can i get an interview by networking with alums? I have excellent grades and scores, however my background is very technical. Also considering the economy it seems as though most firms got all their new hires through recruiting, and there aren't really any spaces left.
My second question concerns this: I eventually want to get into upper management at a tech company. One of the ways i see is to get a CS-software-coding job, and work my way up (possibly getting an MBA). The other way is through strategy consulting...Anybody know any other ideas? What if I were to go the first route, and get an MBA. Would strategy firms not look at me because I came from a software background?
thanks. |
| Message: |
with some of the other replies.
I graduated with a BS in CS and an MS in engineering. I've been with a big four consulting firm for 4+ years on large custom development projects. I've been doing very technical work that also involves heavy interaction with clients.
On my projects, as soon as someone has shown s/he has the ability to take more responsibility, they've gotten it. I feel I've picked up a lot of industry knowledge. I've lived through poorly managed projects and well managed projects. Even the times when we worked 12 hour days for a couple of months straight were good experience, because it taught me how not to manage a project.
Everyone is thrust into the first role that is open when they start. It's up to YOU to pick up the skills in the area in which you want to work and to make a role for yourself. No one is just going to give the plum role to you until you give them some hint that you can handle it.
To succeed in IT consulting, you need to
- have strong technical skills and/or the ability to quickly pick up those skills.
- be able to discuss very technical issues with very non-technical people without making them feel stupid.
- be able to manage yourself and learn to manage others, especially client teammembers who are typically less motivated and knowledgable.
If all you want to do is code in a dark room and never learn the business, then consulting is not for you. The firms are trying to make a place for pure techy people, but when it comes right down to it, there are enough people out there who can both code and be presentable to clients.
As to your question about missing recruiting dates, I think it'll be difficult to get the big consulting firms to look at you. Most of them have probably already made their offers to May grads by now. I'm not part of recruiting, but that's what I remember from previous years.
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