Pros
- Reasonable work life balance (by consulting standard): some options to work from home or remotely, but this highly depends on who is managing the project; some project managers are downright mean and demonstrate no flexibility whatsoever - Some interesting projects: Most projects are good old P&MA and S&PA, now and then you get one of these commercial planning and strategy projects (but the project tends to be a mess because the principal/senior principals are not adapted at handling them; these projects tend to be cheaply sold at the expense of team members' work-life balance and career progression) - A few (very few) great mentors: a few principals/senior principals (these are the coaches) who truly care about their employees and take the time to support junior members, but they are a dying breed; the other ones simple treat you as a work horse and couldn't even bother spending 30 minutes every several months to make sure you're on tract with your career progression
Cons
The consulting group is a classic example of how treating your employees poorly leads to a vicious cycle of high attrition rate, strained staffing, and further burn out on everyone. - Below average compensation: pay is below standard (>10% below market standard) and annual raise (<2%) and bonus (~10% because the company has a hard time hitting its target - not surprising given so many problems within the firm) are a complete joke; IMS is known to be a cheapskate in pay but there's a glimpse of hope now that it's merged with Quintiles - Highly political: if you belong to the "favorite" group you're looking at fast track promotion and lots of traveling/client facing opportunities, otherwise expect office only work and long promotion time despite meeting or exceeding performance targets; those "favorite"s in the office can walk right over other team members in the office without any consequences, talk about a "collaborative" culture ... - Dismissive senior team: you raise an issue, you're told to suck it up; you voice your concern about a lack of personal and professional development, you're given stock answer without any real action taken to address the deficiency - collectively these create a feeling that the firm has no real interest in helping you grow (which is unfortunate because the associate/asso consultant are the very foundation of all projects and proposals) - Young (immature) team members: because of the poor compensation and political environment, >70% of associate/assoc consultant/consultant leave in less than 2 years, compounded by the fact that the firm has no interest in hiring/paying experienced consultants, many projects are ran by 24, 25 years old who lack life experience, leadership, and maturity. The result? Disgruntled supporting team members and high attrition rate Past century infrastructure support: laptops are usually 2nd (or 3rd) hand and break often, requesting any kind of equipment (that would facilitate your productivity) takes a tremendously complex approval process (and a long wait time), everything points to the firm's indifference in supporting its employees (which ultimately loops back to its own quality of work and revenue target)