| Topic Name: |
IT-Consulting vs. IB-Technology |
| Message Name: |
IT Consultantcy |
| Date Posted: |
09/05/2001 |
| In Reply To: |
I have an advanced degree in computing and have two offers - one from a leading IT consulting firm and another from a big investment bank's technology division. I would have loved to have an offer from a pure tech firm - but it looks like very few are hiring right now. I have worked for an internet startup before and it was pure BS. The guys who interact with the clients make unrealistic promises and the people on the tech side end up implementing them. (or atleast try to) My perception is that IT Consulting is the same - but on a far bigger scale. Is it true? On the other side technology, I believe is only a "remote" backend in invest banks - just adding to the cost. So does this come down to choosing between the devil and the deep sea? Can anybody help me weigh my options with respect to job security, satisfaction, culture etc.?
Thanks in advance.
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| Message: |
Actually your perceptions can be true. Projects like that happen all the time. There are worthwhile projects also, where client expectations are managed carefully.
Unfortunately the former 'promise them anything' is in vogue currently, because the perception is that the techies don't have anywhere else to go right now. Not entirely true.
Even so I think you might learn more at the consultantcy than at the IB.
There is one exception. If you want to do finance sector work (very lucrative) it can be very difficult to break in from the outside. The downside is that the best paying work seems to be largely confined to two cities (New York and London) with some available in places such as Frankfurt, Toronto, and perhaps Brussels.
It can be quite cutting-edge, but the downside to that is that you can be yesterday's news as quick as anything.
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