Technology Consulting Industrial Placement Review

I had a really good year within the Tech Consulting department of Deloitte UK (London). The initial 6 week training scheme was very well structured and quickly brought me up to speed with everything I needed to know in order to be effective from day 1 of real work. I was then given a brilliant amount of responsibility on day 1 whilst always feeling supported and not out of my depth ( completely). The social aspect of the 12 month placement was brilliant throughout and allowed me to build my professional network very nicely.

One of the best things about the Deloitte Placement scheme is the amount of responsibility you are given, from pretty much day 1 you are treated on the same level as a graduate analyst and so valued very highly. In my personal experience I was on the same project for a large amount of time which allowed me to take on a large amount or responsibility and be highly valued by my colleagues

The initial 6 week training process gives you the bulk of support and guidance that is required in order to effectively complete a placement at Deloitte. However despite this the numerous support networks put in place allow you a route to ask questions and get valuable answers for every sort of query.

This is again very project dependant however personally I found myself well utilized throughout the entirety of my placement year, whilst still being able to find a work- life balance, I could leave for football at a good time on some days and then make up for it on other days. I very rarely found myself feeling bored at work.

As previously eluded to I was given an excellent level of responsibility during my placement, being treated like a graduate analyst from a very early stage and like other graduate analyst allowed to take on more responsibility than perhaps usually expected within the project teams. You could also do additional pieces of work internally within the firm.

Having completed a placement in technology consulting the professional training I received was largely of a technological nature or core consulting skills. Whilst neither of these particularly assist my personal degree they are invaluable for my future career, particularly as I will be going into the consulting industry

Atmosphere in the project office where you will spend the majority of your placement year is of course very project dependant however whilst I found varying atmospheres overall it was suitable for a working environment whilst also free enough to build relationships. The atmosphere within the Deloitte offices where many people are often stationed on Fridays is always very positive and its always good to catch up with colleagues on other projects.

It is an excellently structured placement with a clear 12 month pathway into completing the year and being asked back in a graduate capacity. There are regular catch-ups and social points to be utilized whilst not being too constricting and allowing you to find your own path within the firm.

During the first 6 weeks of the placement you receive so much investment within you from the company, this is perhaps one of the main reasons that there is such a high success ratio in being offered graduate positions with the firm upon finishing your placement. Beyond this, there is continuous oppurtunities to partake in further in house training.

The success rate of my cohort (9 students) in terms of converting the industrial placement year into graduate roles was 100%. Although we did have a particularly strong year it is always a very strong percentage of conversions into graduate jobs with a high acceptance rate form the placement students.

I managed to make many friends from both the placement and graduate scheme that I have stayed in close contact with throughout my year at the firm and beyond.

Cost of living in London is high and socialising isn't cheap. But then again you are working in the capital of England and this is to be expected; in my opinion you are more than well enough compensated in terms of wages and social events put on by the company. Ask any placement student/ graduate about first Fridays and you will understand exactly what I mean!!

All sorts of places around central London, too many to mention!!

Plenty, there were all sorts of societies and sports clubs going on which you could get involved with, furthermore there were a vast selection of charity events you could get involved with, there quite literally was something on offer for any sort of person! Personally, I got involved in charity football tournaments, plenty of talks on various new exciting pieces of technology; dinners and various parties (Xmas, Summer, etc)