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?

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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.

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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.

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Although just wait til the start January to start reaching out. Things will die down in a week or two and what’s available still will surely ruin your winter break.

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

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Great, I’ll try that EY2!

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 😊

helpful

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

Well EY loves Dems in Congress since they pass compliance laws which earn us a lot of money. Made me vote straight GOP ticket, just to decrease the chances I get another compliance gig

smart

Try and do trainings, help with BD work ect.

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Hello Guys,

I joined
Cognizant recently, the project interview calls which I am getting is not from my base location.
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Hello,

I will be joining PWC AC Bangalore in couple of weeks for SAP tech stack.
I am joining from a product based company. So wanted to know how we are assigned to projects. Will there be any client interviews. If yes will it be very tough? Do we get a say in the projects we can get to work or its usually assigned and we have to take it up.

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