| Senior Associate/Consultant |
Corporate culture non-hierarchical from a problem-solving standpoint
(i.e., everyone participates fairly equally), but very hierarchical
when it comes to tactical issues (e.g., attending client meetings,
putting together presentations, controlling your hours).
Hours are generally very long - was not at all unusual to start at 7:30-
8am and finish regularly at midnight. Weekends were a rarity, but
occasionally required cancelling prior travel plans. Your time is
almost entirely controlled by the EM, with late night conference calls
(10pm wasn't that unusual) with the partners, who frequently show up
late. Get lucky enough to have an EM who cares about lifestyle
(they're rare), and you might get out at 8pm regularly. Get the more
typical EM in a busy office that's overscoping and understaffing
projects, and the late nights are the usual.
Diversity is pretty broad from the perspective of background, but not
nearly enough from a gender or racial perspective. Women are fairly
numerous (30%) in the associate class, but dwindle quickly as you move
up the ranks - probably due to lifestyle issues as much as anything
else.
Dress code is based on the client - if they wear suits, so do you. If
they are casual, you can be as well.
Opportunities for advancement - really an up-or-out culture. You'll
advance if you're not asked to leave.
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