Life's mysteries can always be explained through reality TV analogies

On Monday I woke up wanting to be a consultant (at least for a 2-5 year time frame). I went to school, sat through a few classes, read a report on consulting . . . it all seemed to be going well. Then I checked out the Sciences Po career website and discovered a 1 1/2 day workshop/recruiting tool for a Capgemini Consulting. My gut reaction was "ughhhhh, no."

I think it can be easy sometimes to get swept up into something that may not really be the right fit. Think of people that go on dating shows like "The Bachelor." The need to be wanted, to not be rejected, and to win blinds contestants to the fact that they may not actually like the bachelor. I have turned into one of those pathetic women. Well, at least I figured it out before I made it to the ring ceremony.

Consulting is still an option, but I need to look into boutique consultancies that deal specifically with sustainable development. I can justify long hours if it is for a good cause. Making money and helping other people make money doesn't really do it for me.

Cocktails and Sustainable Development

I never reported on my BCG event I attended last Wednesday.

When I arrived we were given documents on carbon sequestration (I feel quite strongly about this sham of a solution. It's hardly on the cutting edge of sustainable development, and it would never be viable without government subsidies. What returns do you get by sticking carbon in the ground? Honestly!!! Arghhh!!!! Enough ranting). So I wasn't really feeling the BCG vibe, but that soon ended.

After a presentation on the company and another on their general approach to sustainable development, a consultant talked about electric cars. She was really passionate about it, and she restored my interest in BCG. I was also relieved not to have to listen to praises of "clean" carbon technology.

Afterwards we had the opportunity to talk to consultants and associates of BCG. I was brave and assertive about approaching people. I'm getting over my timidity when it comes to talking to people I don't know in French. I think this was one occasion where my accent was an asset. It really helps start a conversation because the first 3 topics are already determined as soon as the other person hears my accent.

1) Oh, where are you from?
2) I've lived/traveled/know someone in the states . . .
3) What did you think of the elections?

Reason #3

The number 3 reason why I love Sciences Po: free popcorn.

PricewaterhouseCoopers came to Sciences Po today to woo hungry students into joining the "exciting" world of auditing (and consulting) with free popcorn, plush couches and big screen TVs. In the altered state of my popcorn buzz I almost fell for the syrupy promises of internships, but then I remembered a remark I heard the other day. Apparently some big firms are continuing with the appearance of heavy recruiting in order to save face in the business world and maintain brand confidence, even though hiring has been drastically cut back. That may not be the case for PricewaterhouseCoopers; if anything, we are more in need of auditing now than ever. However, the cutbacks in other industries are going to increase competition for available jobs.

I am not so naive to think companies will be drooling over me, but neither am I desperate enough to be won over by free popcorn. I'm going to explore my options, which means cocktails in 2 weeks with Boston Consulting Company, a consultancy I find much more appealing than PricewaterhouseCoopers. BCG is doing a special sustainable development event for Parisian Grande Ecole students. Sustainable development and cosmos . . . could life be any better?