| Topic Name: |
3yr Bnkry Lwyer/MBA Considering Consulting |
| Message Name: |
couldn't have said it better myself |
| Date Posted: |
03/13/2003 |
| In Reply To: |
I generally agree with the comments, especially with (1) and (3) (buzz in the office and intellectual stimulation). I must, however, strongly disagree with the "glamorous" lifestyle comment.
The travelling lifestyle may seem glamorous to a 21 year old straight out of college. Flying to different locations, staying at the Ritz or the Park Hyatt, enjoying the $200-a-bottle wine at fancy restaurants can be appealing.
But you also find it, very quickly, that the novelty wears off. One Hyatt is just like any other one, especially if you are in your room only six hours a day just to get some sleep and shower. And on some projects, you may be visiting a supplier plant in the middle of Kentucky, Ohio, or Tennessee, where a Hampton Inn is your best option. I now choose hotels based on proximity to the client -- so I can get extra 20 minutes of sleep a night. That fancy bottle of wine tastes hardly any better than the $8 dollar you could pick up at your neighborhood convenience store. Getting up at 4:00 am on Monday mornings to catch your 6:00 am is hardly glamorous after 27th straight week, even if you have an upgrade to first class. You also realize quickly you can't use your miles because you are either working too hard to take a vacation or that airlines and hotels have too many blackout dates. Besides, we make enough money not to worry about a $300 round trip airfare.
AlthoughI have all these perks (staying at the Ritz, eating at really expensive restaurants, and collecting airline miles)available to me, I would trade it all to be in town so I could spend more time with my wife and son. My colleagues who are single also find it hard to remain in touch with their friends, and establish relationships (dating is hard when you are gone four days a week). Travelling is not enjoyable when you are working 15-16 hours a day and you are away from family and friends.
In fact, I am sick and tired of the travel. I love my job and the people I work with with, but I can't take the travel anymore. I want to stay home and enjoy my time with my family. AFter all, what is the point of having a family if you are not going to be with them? I am looking to get out of this "glamorous" job so I don't travel anymore.
Consulting is not only a career, it is a life-style. People generally enjoy their work as it is intellectually stimulating. But you are making a big mistake, if one of your decision factors is "glamorous" travel and hotels and airline miles. It ain't worth it.
I hate flaming people I don't know the first thing about. But I can almost see a 22 year old sorority girl, with the highest pitch voice, with a California accent saying: " The travelling lifestyle, hotels, and air miles make the job feel quite glamorous." Didn't you go to law school? Work in a law firm? Get a job with a consulting firm? I can't believe someone with such a background would say such a stupid thing!
Glamorous? Puhleese.
|
| Message: |
Wow, i couldn't have said it better myself. except i've been stuck in places where even hampton inns weren't available and the nearest airport was 2 hours away. i would have loved merely a hampton inn, much less the ritz. (ritzes are snotty and overrated anyway; four seasons is the way to go)
it is nice when you get time off (which has been easier in the weak economy) and you have Hertz President's Circle, UAL Premier Exec 1K, and Six Continents Ambassador status.
|
|
