ACareerinConsultingforComputerScienceMajorsVinceDeGiulioAccenture-AssociatePartnerTypesofConsultantsApplicationProgrammerSystemAdministratorTechnicalSpecialistITConsultant/AnalystApplicationProgrammerDescription–HiredGunsofProgramming-Contractor–ManyLanguages/ToolsProjectTypes–ApplicationDevelopment–ApplicationMaintenanceProjectDuration:SeveralMonthstoYearsClients:UsuallyLargeCompaniesDemand:AlwaysHigh,butRequiresPeriodicRe-toolingofSkillsSystemAdministratorDescription–ProvideTechnical/UserSupportProjectTypes–Setup/MaintainLANs,PCs,UserIDs,etc.–InstallSoftware–SupportHelpDesksProjectDuration:YearsorMultipleClientsatOnceClients:LargeandSmallCompaniesDemand:High,IncreasingasCompaniesLookMoretoOutsourceSupportFunctionsTechnicalSpecialistDescription–ExpertinSpecificTechnology/Product(ie.WebDevelopment,ObjectOriented)ProjectTypes–ApplicationDevelopment/Maintenance–PerformanceReviews–ProductSalesSupportProjectDuration:DaystoFewMonthsClients:LargeandSmallCompaniesDemand:HighwhenSpecialtyisHotITConsultant/AnalystDescription–Client’sPartner-True“Consultant”–SolveBusinessProblemsthroughTechnologyProjectTypes–BusinessApplicationDevelopment–TechnologyStrategiesProjectDuration:ManyMonthstoYearsClients:UsuallyLargeCompaniesDemand:HighConsulting=VarietyTechnologies/VendorSoftwareIndustries/ClientsApplicationsGeographicLocationsResponsibilitiesPeopleTechnologies/VendorSoftwareTechnologiesChange-OnlyLimitedbyYourselfNotLimitedtoYourCompaniesProductsYourDegreeSuitedforthisVarietyMyExperiences–DifferentDBMS(Oracle,DB2,Sybase,Teradata,MS-Access,IMS)–DifferentPlatforms(Mainframes,Servers,PCs)–DifferentLanguages(HTML,C,VisualBasic,COBOL,VendorSpecific)Industries/ClientsWhat’sanIndustry?TypeofWorkcanVarybyIndustryCanChangeIndustries/ClientsFrequentlyMyExperiences–Insurance/FinancialServices–Government(Federal&State)–LightManufacturing–Distribution&Logistics–Transportation–Travel–HealthcareApplicationsTransactionProcessing(i.e.OrderEntry)KnowledgeWorker(i.e.EIS)DatabaseSystemsMyExperiences–PatientAdministration–InmateInventory–UnemploymentCheckProcessing–CustomerInformation–UnderwriterDecisionAnalysis–LogisticsNetworkAnalysis–VehicleTracking–FleetManagementGeographicLocationsOpportunityforTravelDomestic/InternationalWorkWhereClientsareLocatedMyExperiences–1/4CareerisChicagoandSuburbs–3/4inOtherCities(Minneapolis,Springfield,WashingtonD.C.,Miami,Atlanta,Louisville)ResponsibilitiesDon’tStagnateinSamePositionForeverCanIncreaseAuthorityQuicklyMyExperiences–Programmer1.5Years–Analyst/ProgramDesigner–Supervisor–SystemArchitect–TeamLeader–ProjectManagerPeopleMeetManyDifferentPeopleWorkingwithDifferentGroupsofPeoplefromYeartoYearNewBossesPeriodicallyMyExperiences–ManyPeoplethroughoutConsultingFieldandIndustry–PeoplethroughoutCountry–MetSomeofBestFriendsConsultingOpensDoorsJobsatClients–ManyTakeJobsatClients–AllowsObservationofCompanyBeforeTakingJobHeadHunters–AlwaysonListsofPeopletoCall–ContactedConstantly–AlwaysOtherJobsOutThereConsultingOpensDoorsNon-TechnicalCareer–EasyTransitiontoManagementConsulting–AnalyticalSkillsApplicabletoSolvingBusinessProcessProblems–SupportFunctionsatTechnicalFirms(i.e.Sales,HR)OwnConsultingFirm–ManyConsultantsFormOwnSmallFirmsAfterGainingExperienceWhyIChoseConsultingDidn’tWanttoProgramForeverLookingforAdvancementOpportunitiesLookedatLong-TermMoneyvsShort-TermGotBoredEasilySawPeopleSittingataDeskthatLookedTooComfortableConsulting-NotForEveryoneHardWork/LongHoursRequiresFlexibilityInvolvesTravelRequiresPersonalSkillsClientsDon’tLikeorTrustYou-AtFirstLastAdviceNoPerfectJobExistsKnowWhatIsImportanttoYouThinkLong-Term