Combines FTE benefits & stability with a contractor's flexibility, but advancement requires you go into sales.
Pros
Awesome 401k plan: 100% match of your first 6%, plus 5% on top. 100% paid bench time in between projects. Health care plan premiums are 100% paid. Consultants are salaried, but extra time billed at the client is paid out as comp time. The consultant model gives you the positives from both worlds: the stability and benefits of being an FTE, with the variety of assignments of a contractor.
Cons
You are completely dependent on the sales team to find you projects, and they don't have that many. They don't maintain a strong bullpen of available consultants, and they don't go after low margin opportunities, so they are consistently overlooked by companies looking for Test or PM consultants. If you want to move up, the career ladder requires you to become a salesman. You cannot simply be good at what you do and expect pay increases or promotions. To move from Senior Consultant to Principle Consultant, for example, you must help land $500 million in sales opportunities. After completing your obligations to the client, you are expected to put in time off the clock attending unit meetings, counselor meetings, training, meetings with potential clients, and company events. It's like going to a second job after your job. You are not obligated to attend, but you won't get a bonus or raise if you don't, no matter how much you grow your skills. Health care is free, but there's a $5000 deductable on family health care plan. 401k match is the best in the industry, but the investment options are limited and there's a three year vesting period. Vacation and sick leave are lumped together as three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO). This is a bit low, but not so bad in itself, except that you are forced to take PTO if your client has a holiday that is not recognized by Sogeti. You can't bill the client, and Sogeti won't pay you, even if you are available and willing to work.
