Started at the firm as a new grad in September, first project ended last week and haven’t gotten a bite for a new project yet. Been on the bench for almost a week, should I be worried about utilization?

Yup, firms are not nearly as forgiving as they claim to be, especially during a bad economy. We laid off a bunch of analysts for low util despite telling them when they started that utilization didn’t matter for their first 2 years. B4 is ruthless.

S& doesn’t lay off associates only for low util reasons. I started last year and got crushed since new hires don’t get staffed right away - I was on one project and then as soon as it ended COVID hit. So basically staffed just 3 months out of a 8 month period. I was really concerned as were my peers but we ended up all being okay. Performance is a bigger deal for us. Don’t know how it translates to your firm but wanted to share in case this could apply to other newbies who come by this post.

I joined in February and I spent plenty of time on the bench (3 months in the last 9). Idk what EY is like but you’re probably fine. New projects will all start in January and then you’ll never be on the bench again (my company is planning to roll my from this project into another without bench time in January)

All new hires have a bunch of bench time at EY, they aren't great at forecasting demand. CDP will either try to frighten you into AML or will say it's all fine, but move promo to senior to 3 years vs current 2 years

Try and do trainings, help with BD work ect.

Don’t worry 1 week is nothing. Take the time to schedule intro calls with people (I’d suggest manager and seniors) if you’re not too comfortable talking to more senior people yet

You are fine as a fresh campus hire. We're also in the weird holiday period where people sorta do stuff but no one really starts anything big till after the new year. It's OKAY, grasshopper. Relax a bit - we don't fire staff 1s for being benched between Thanksgiving and new year's 😊