Pros
Speed Learning Opportunity--So much to learn and absorb like a sponge. There are several expertise groups you can get involved with and people here are pretty open to sitting down with you to talk about anything you want to know, be it market trends, how to use a tool, their career at ZS, etc. Variety- unlike working directly for our clients, I get to understand pharma from all angles as I work for different clients and different parts of the organization. ZS experts are also easy to find and I can always schedule a touchbase with someone that can passionately give me a download for just about any pharma topic I want to know. Culture-- I love the feeling of working with a great team! I have been fortunate to work for great teams where people were open to seeing up daily touchbase to bring me up to speed, managers/principals took the time to meet with me frequently to give me constructive feedback and encouragement, and where I felt I got opportunities for progression. I have personally enjoyed getting to know almost everyone at the office. I love being involved in event planning committees where I get to network and shape the company culture. Little travel--unlike other consulting companies, ZS has offices near every major client hub, which means I get to do consulting and sleep at home. Travel to client meetings is usually just a car ride away.
Cons
Long hours--this is the typical downside of consulting. I don't mind it as much because with long hours typically comes some leverage on flexibility (is, taking morning calls from home, stepping out for errands). More than anything, I am learning so much and feel like my impact is worth some extra efforts here and there. That said, extra effort does not lead to extra compensation, just potentially faster promotion and self gratification. Pay and Promotion--for the overachievers it sometimes feels like promotions are too formulaic and people typically get promoted at certain time points,--every 2-3 years. You have to show you are performing at the next level for 6-12mo before you can be promoted. It sometimes feels like there isnt much difference between people who put in more vs less effort, even though they say it's all based on your reviews. Staffing- un consulting there are times when there is too much to do and times when you feel you May be staring at the walls for The next month. It takes getting used to. Also, if you dont build director relstionships with proyecto leaders, you are at the mercy ofva stsffer who seems to drsw your name out of a hat for the next assignment without accounting for your current skills and interests