Analyst Review

I loved working at Accenture because there is a lot of variety in the work we do, the people you work with are so nice and understanding, and they will listen to you, in the sense that your thoughts matter to them and are valued. I was given a lot of responsibility early on and more as time went on. It was great, I never felt overwhelmed and I knew there was always support on hand if need be. Moreover, there are many socials organised throughout the year, which are really really fun.

I would say the large majority of my colleagues respected me, including on the client side. This had a huge impact on my time at Accenture, as I felt both useful and respected. I didn't feel invisible. However, there were a couple of Senior Managers (CALs) who did not respect me as much as they should and value my opinion. Fortunately, I could always count on my team to support me and defend me if need be.

I believe this really depends on one's Line Manager or Project Manager. Buddies tended to be fabulous and very helpful in answering all of my questions and even reassuring me. In terms of supervisors, some left me more to my own devices whilst others would give me a lot more support and guidance. Most of it was good, especially when there was good communication and a good working relationship.

This really depended on the day and the project. In delivery projects, I was always quite busy, but not in a stressful way. When I was doing partly BD work, I could be less busy because SOWs or the ask were being finalised, or I was between projects. I would keep myself busy with side of desk work, with working on personal development or by helping others out on their project while I was waiting for mine. I rarely had to stay past 17:30 which was fantastic, I always had time for a lunch break and I rarely felt bored.

I was given a lot of responsibility, which I was thrilled by. It ranged from facilitating workshop activities for the client, including the CIO, to designing the strategy for the device and network transition for 6,000 people and get it approved by the client. I always look for more responsibility and felt I could be given more sometimes, but I guess I was only an Analyst, so there is only so much I can have.

I believe the skills I learned at Accenture are extremely transferrable and relevant to my degree (Management). I believe I have learnt a lot in terms of how to behave in a professional environment, I've learnt how to use creative and analytical tools, I know much more about certain industries and technological advances than I did before. I understand how the corporate world works now.

The atmosphere tended to be positive. I think it really depends on how well everyone knows each other and how often socials are organised. I was lucky enough to always have inspirational leaders on the project, and great Managers and Senior Managers to keep the energy high. Sometimes everyone would be stressed depending on what's going on with the project, and that wasn't so great. However, leadership did the best to deal with this and make sure everyone had support and felt listened too.

I think we integrated the business very well, in the sense we were treated as regular Analysts by the business. However, I believe the Induction Week wasn't the best: although it was a great opportunity to get to know all the Interns well, I don't think it prepared us well enough to understand what it's going to be like working at Accenture, in consulting, considering this was our first time in this sort of environment. I also think we should have been introduced to FORM then. The mentorship opportunity came to us a little too late, which was a shame. However, I did feel like the Early Recruitment team was there for us despite their busy schedules.

I didn't particularly ask to take part in many training opportunities, simply because as Interns, I do not know if we are allowed to take part in many of them, but also when your office is based outside London, it's much harder to do. Also, I didn't feel particularly aware of what training was available and not having career counsellors, no one could really advise me on this. However, I was lucky enough that one of my teams invested a lot in up-skilling us , so I had great training when I was with them. Though I would not say this is true of the rest of the company - my team was an exception.

I got an offer from Accenture, so I am very very happy and relieved. However, I have some reservations as I believe it is not that easy to change CSGs or DTEs or projects if one doesn't or no longer enjoys working there. I am happy that it is possible to progress fairly rapidly.

I think this really depends on where everyone's project is. When you are out of town, it is so hard to meet up with the others. If they are on the project with you, which was my case for some, this was fantastic and great fun. You bond much more with people when on an out-of-town project. It is harder to party with those who still live at home because they tend to live much further out of London and can't stay out late. Others already have a well-established life, so it can be harder to hang out with colleagues outside work. That being said, I have made some really really great friends from my first project. Less so with my second one.

Rent and bills in zone 2 was £720 per month. Plus travel expenses (Oyster) was a lot. Food was standard London prices. On out-of-town projects, nearly everything was paid for by the company (hotel, food, transport) which was fantastic. It's much more expensive when your client is London-based. Socialising was pretty good in London although it's expensive.

In London, nightlife is great but expensive. When on an out-of-town project, less so as we don't tend to party hard after work, unless it's the company paying and then a respectable amount. I don't feel able I can rate this question well as I chose not to have big nights out.

Yes and no. When you spend four days a week on an out-of-town project and then back in London for three, it is hard to commit to any long-term activities when split between two places. I did not engage in many activities per se outside of work, I mostly spent my time with other people, from work and not from work. In terms of locations, there were certainly activities to get involved in.