Case studies: Technology analyst: Greg Balmforth

As part of his studies for a BBA in Management from Lancaster University, Greg is currently on a year-long industrial placement working as a technology analyst for Deloitte.

As part of my management degree, I have to do a compulsory 12-month placement. I applied for quite a few job roles in several different industry sectors in preparation. I was particularly interested in consulting, so when I received the job offer from Deloitte, I was happy to accept.

The application process at Deloitte is slightly longer than at other firms and included an application form, psychometric tests, telephone interview, competency interview and then the final assessment day.

The final assessment day incorporated an e-tray exercise, group exercises and a one-on-one interview. The long application process really allows Deloitte to get to know you as a person and it is these ‘extracurricular’ factors that play the biggest part in getting you the job. A strong degree is essential, but it is your experiences and achievements outside of academic life that make you stand out.

Consulting is all about working on different projects for different clients. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ project as a project may last anywhere from a week to several years.

So far I have worked on two projects, both hugely contrasting. My first project involved working with a large supermarket chain, helping facilitate a consolidation of their global IT infrastructure. My second project involved working with a young people’s charity, helping them to define an IT strategy for the next five years and mapping this to their business requirements.

Working in technology provides not only the opportunity to work with multiple clients, including large and small companies, but also the chance to work with cutting edge technologies in many different fields. In providing the best services to clients, you have to be at the forefront of the market. It is incredibly motivating to know you are working with the newest technologies and seeking to ensure that top firms use them in the most effective way.

Every day in this job brings something new - be it new people to work with or new problems to deal with. It is this unpredictability that brings such an exciting challenge to the technology consulting industry.

AGCAS

Sourced by Ajaz Hussain, Lancaster University

Date: 

March 2012

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer