Tina’s first project involved working with a major retail business as a design requirement analyst, establishing what changes were required to its online shopping website. This involved brainstorming ideas, and then discussing intricate details about the various possibilities in the time and budget available. The team negotiated, documented and agreed these points with the client; it was then her job to make a plan and set goals for each discussion. She also attended workshops on how to enhance a website’s navigation facility, looking at levels of user-friendliness and a new way to search for products on the website.

Although it was complicated, there were really good methodologies in place. These are guidelines about how similar work has been done before. When she joined the team she received a full background on the project, and previous examples of creating a design document.

“From every project, you gain valuable skills, and there’s a useful pool of technical experts at Accenture.” Tina says. She only had basic knowledge about networks when she started but now, through her projects, she is learning about protocols, security policies, testing connectivity and advanced network-monitoring methods.

Tina explains, “No matter what you do, there’s always something to learn. It’s up to you to make the best of whatever you’re doing, work out what it is you enjoy and start focusing on that.”

Tina’s next step is to move up to consultant level, and enroll for all the relevant training. She’s particularly interested in learning about network security, dealing with intrusion detection, NetWare and Trojans. The cutting-edge technologies needed to combat increasingly advanced threats involve a lot of risk analysis and recommending mitigating methods—all of which fascinate her. She says it requires a lot of one’s own judgment, and one gets to work more closely with clients in their environment.

Tina joined Accenture in June 2004 after completing her degree in computer science with Management at King’s College. She is currently working as an analyst in the Global Delivery Network—a specialist technical area which focuses on managing system building, technology and architecture integration for clients across all industry groups.

Tina says that the training also lets one network with others in the company—and proves that everyone is extremely easy to get on with. As part of the course, she spent two weeks in Chicago for consultancy-based training, where she learnt a lot about the planning, design, analysis and build stages of a project. Trainees worked in teams, carried out role-plays and tackled real life scenarios. She also met colleagues from Italy, France and Puerto Rico, giving her a real feel for the global network.

Tina is also developing skills on the project management side, like budgeting, planning and appreciating the dependencies between projects—in other words, realizing that a change to one aspect can impact on all the others.

“That's what makes Accenture great,” Tina says. “If you have a passion for a particular area, you can really get on with it. I've already gone on a security course in Prague—and there are loads of seminars, workshops and an invaluable e-learning facility which offers learning courses that walk you through new concepts in a simple and easy-to-comprehend way.”

Tina warns that one needs to be flexible and willing to travel. Occasionally, one will work long hours but time can be offset, and working on such good projects makes it all worthwhile. Initially, it’s a really steep learning curve, and for her it is not even leveling off now. But if one’s got the drive, there are some great opportunities available.

“The real trick,” Tina says, “is realizing that your career’s in your own hands. You have to spend time deciding where and how you’re going to progress, take all the right training courses and use your network of contacts to get where you want to go.”

Tina says that working on fantastic technology is one of the best things about Accenture: “You get to interact with big name clients and, as Accenture has alliances with major technology companies, the thinking is always leading-edge. What’s more, through projects, you’re actually contributing to real life changes in the way a client’s business works and functions—you can actually see your impact. Plus, you can gain experience on a range of challenges and work with a cross-section of clients.

Tina continues: “If you’re keen to learn and have an interest in technology that’s all you need! Everyone is assigned a career counselor, who helps you plan your next career steps, discuss any issues and decide how to develop your skills. You’re in charge of your career, but there’s always someone to turn to.”