New associate consultant / college hire opinion
Pros
-Bench time paid (and if you are in FCP little worry about getting 'laid off' if inactive for a few months to a year in some cases for new associates). -Good internal opportunities while on the bench or to get more involved. -Good amount of resources to further learning. -Good leadership opportunities (even as a new associate. have already been team lead twice and project lead once...only been at CSC not even 1 yr). -Pay per diem (GSA standard rates) -Knowlegable individuals -Good network opportunity -Practice leads / senior management recognize new associates and give a true sense of appreciation. -Very grounded (in my group) senior management. Don't ever feel 'talked down to' or get the sense of inflated egos. -Huge presence (name recognition / brand) in Federal / Public market space. -Try their hardest to make your group seem like a family
Cons
-Benefits are 'just okay' -Don't reimburse cell phone (you have to use theirs) -Inferior work products in some cases (ie: Lotus Notes) -Very little paid vacation -During shutdowns you are forced to take vacation or unpaid leave -I have never spoken to my 'manager' : re-org seems to happen daily! -Hire floods of new consultants and don't have any place to put them. Stick people in roles they may know nothing about which can create high turnover. -VAST differences between groups. -Have to wait two years for first promotion ~ and going from an associate to staff consultant is hardly a difference in pay (so it seems). Long time to wait for not much more pay. Little incentive to stay when it comes to early payscale. -Lots of program cuts to keep costs down (ie: training for new associates) -Not always upfront with project requirements / scope / timeline before starting the project.
