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Steven, Program/Project Manager at Accenture: Advize Career Interview

A finance degree and internships in banking launched a career path that transitioned into technology consulting at Accenture.

The journey involved a credit analyst role, building business acumen, and developing crucial transferable skills like presentation and people management.

Currently a Program/Project Manager, managing the merger of two investment banks, the professional's work involves coordinating technology teams, translating technical jargon, and ensuring smooth transitions to new systems.

The daily work varies greatly, involving daily scrum sessions and "heads down" preparation time, requiring adaptability and quick thinking.

The most rewarding aspect is collaborating with diverse teams, understanding individual motivations, and helping solve problems. A key challenge is establishing work-life balance in a remote work environment.

Success in this field, the interviewee suggests, requires attention to detail, organization, and sociability. A crucial lesson learned is that it's okay to not know everything; proactive problem-solving is key.

Undergraduate preparation involved a strong finance foundation and developing excellent interpersonal skills.

Finally, the impact of company culture on career growth is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of finding a diverse and inclusive work environment.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Steven Smith

Program/Project Manager

Accenture

University of Georgia, 2017

University of California, Los Angeles & M.B.A

Finance

Professional Services

Operations and Project Management

Pell Grant Recipient, Greek Life Member

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

Steven's career path, currently in their first year of an MBA, started with a finance degree from the University of Georgia and internships in banking, followed by a role as a credit analyst where they "got great skills and a good understanding for how business works". A shift to technology consulting provided "transferable skills, presentation skills, people management, and strategy skills," ultimately leading them to business school.

Career Path of a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

Main Responsibilities of a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

Steven's role as a Program/Project Manager at Accenture involved managing the "merger related activities" of two merging investment banks, resulting in a top-10 US bank. This included coordinating technology teams and business units, "translating what the software engineers were saying to the business side," ensuring a smooth transition to new cloud-based systems.

Main Responsibilities of a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

A Day In The Life Of A Program And Project Manager At Accenture

Steven's workday as a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, serving a Chief Technology Officer at an investment bank, varied greatly depending on client needs; while the morning often involved "daily scrum sessions," evenings provided "heads down time" for preparation, with some weeks demanding longer hours due to "big technology implementations."

A Day In The Life Of A Program And Project Manager At Accenture

Most Important Skills For a Program Project Manager at Accenture

Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, emphasizes "quick thinking and adaptability" as crucial skills, highlighting the importance of figuring things out and helping others manage change, especially during mergers. This involved clear messaging about transitions, impacting individuals, and outlining paths forward based on prior experiences; a skillset that accelerated their career.

Most Important Skills For a Program Project Manager at Accenture

Favorite Parts of Being a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role to be "working with other people," citing the opportunity to collaborate with diverse teams and understand their individual motivations beyond simply achieving project objectives. This human connection, "getting to know their stories," and helping them solve problems is central to the consulting experience and brings Steven significant job satisfaction.

Favorite Parts of Being a Program and Project Manager at Accenture

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Program And Project Manager At Accenture

Steven's biggest challenge as a Program/Project Manager at Accenture is "creating boundaries" in a remote work environment, where the constant availability fostered by technology blurs the lines between work and personal time, potentially leading to overwork unless boundaries are proactively established. This highlights the importance of work-life balance, especially in today's increasingly flexible work arrangements.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Program And Project Manager At Accenture

Favorite Parts of Working in Consulting at Accenture as a Program Project Manager

Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, enjoys the "flexibility" in the industry, dictating their schedule to some extent while learning alongside "like-minded people" in diverse fields such as "technology, finance," and more. This flexibility and continuous learning are highlighted as the most rewarding aspects of their career.

Favorite Parts of Working in Consulting at Accenture as a Program Project Manager

Who Thrives In Consulting According To An Accenture Program Project Manager

Success in the consulting industry hinges on a blend of interpersonal skills and meticulous organization; Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, highlights "attention to detail, organization, and sociability" as key traits, emphasizing the need for consultants to be organized enough to provide clients with "answers" efficiently amidst "a lot of change."

Who Thrives In Consulting According To An Accenture Program Project Manager

What a Project Manager at Accenture wishes they had known before entering the consulting industry

Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, learned that "it's okay to not know everything," a crucial lesson for navigating client expectations; the key is demonstrating a proactive approach to problem-solving, as shown by "I don't have the answer, but I will figure it out."

What a Project Manager at Accenture wishes they had known before entering the consulting industry

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Program Project Managers At Accenture

Entry-level roles in consultancy for undergraduate students are typically analyst positions, where "you're able to learn from your bosses" and work in a support role initially. Career progression involves increased autonomy and responsibility, allowing individuals to develop their own style while building upon mentorship received.

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Program Project Managers At Accenture

Significant Career Lesson From a Program/Project Manager at Accenture

Steven, a Program/Project Manager at Accenture, learned the crucial lesson of thorough preparation through a past experience of being unprepared for a client interaction, resulting in a negative experience. This led Steven to prioritize "being prepared, be forward looking," planning ahead to anticipate challenges and confidently articulate a path to finding answers even when initially uncertain.

Significant Career Lesson From a Program/Project Manager at Accenture

College Experiences That Helped a Program and Project Manager At Accenture Succeed

Steven's finance major provided "a great foundation" for a career in banking and consulting, demonstrating the value of a strong business acumen. Furthermore, the development of strong interpersonal skills through "being social and being able to talk to people" proved equally crucial for success in consulting, highlighting the importance of networking and collaboration.

College Experiences That Helped a Program and Project Manager At Accenture Succeed

How Identity Has Influenced A Program Project Manager At Accenture's Career

Steven's experience highlights the importance of company culture in career growth, noting that a prior role in banking, a "very predominantly...run by white males" environment, lacked opportunities for advancement and self-expression. This led Steven to seek a more diverse and inclusive global consulting firm where they could "bring their whole self" and thrive, emphasizing that the right work environment is as critical as skill development in a successful career trajectory.

How Identity Has Influenced A Program Project Manager At Accenture's Career
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