Most of what Center Associates were told in orientation is false or greatly exaggerated. We were even told "If you can't make it here, you can't make it anywhere." Well that depends on how well it is executed at the local level. Most of the orientation training is geared towards those on the consultant track not those who work at a specific center. You have to relearn how everything works once you get to your center.
Training is lackluster. Don't expect to be given any specialized training in Microsoft, IBM, Oracle, etc. They only provide entry-level employees with a project to build for maybe 2 months. Most find it to be a bit of a challenge. They only care about the end result (whether it appears to work or not). They will not check to make sure you did not rig it to work. You are given mentors that help you out. However, after this, you are simply thrown on a project and it is largely sink or swim unless they put you on with more experienced developers who can help you out.
Employees who come in as "experienced" do not get this support. They may be thrown on a project by themselves even if they have reservations. Center associates (the title has changed) do not get to choose their on projects. They are chosen for them. Once you are on the project, it is almost impossible to get off. One person was on a project, he did a good job but they could not find a replacement or client wanted to extending the project, so he was forced to stay on the project many months. He hated the project and the client. He was still on the project almost a year after it was supposed to end.
They provide online books and training material through Skillsoft. It sucks! The estimated time is wrong and you only get credit for the hours it says it should take to complete the course. The truth is you will spend 2 or 3 times that amount and may not even learn much of anything.
Overall training sucks! Don't count on it. The guys at the center are much more helpful.
Local leadership does not intervene when there are problems. You are assigned counselors, but they do not check up on you when they know there may be some issues. They do not check with the client when you bring issues to their attention. Don't expect that you will be treated fairly or that any "evidence" you collect even if it is obviously strong, will be considered. They don't care! Documentation doesn't work. Just about any childish thing or unprofessional thing you can think of that could be wrong with leadership is true. Local leadership is so bogged down with their own numerous projects to help you make a success of your project--even if the issue is only communication and not technical. Counselors might as well not exist. When you get on a project, either the project manager will like you or not. This can, but not always, affect the rating you receive on a project. Don't expect people to always be objective--even when they seem to be "nice people."
Utilization - You may be promised tons of vacation time. Great! That doesn't mean you will get to use it! Of the total available time (literally possible from the standpoint of an 8 hour day and 52 weeks), you will be required to maintain 90% utilization. Utilization is how much you work on a project vs how much you did not. Of course Deloitte only makes money when you are on a project. So when you are off a project or on vacation, they are losing money. EVERYTHING counts against your utilization! That includes your holidays, vacation time, and sick time. Not meeting the 90% utilization of all possible work hours in a year, can result in a reduced rating or lose of a job.
Now you might think that well, "I just won't take much vacation." That depends. You can be a good employee. You can get high ratings, but center associates (as they used to be called) are not allowed to find their own projects. So... in between projects you may sit on the bench for weeks and months before they place you on another project. All that time, you might as well be taking vacation. You want to be in the center so they can see you and you can stay on them about getting you on a project, but IT WILL COUNT against your utilization. So as some reviewers have stated, you basically have to work overtime just to make up for the lost hours--especially if you have any intention of going on vacation. What I'm saying is this: leadership can mess you up so that you don't get to take vacation even if you've earned it. Also you are given tons of vacation time but you can't use it all. You can only roll over half of your time and you can NEVER cash it in.
I hope this information is helpful. If you are a really good employee with good experience, you should be fine. You may work long hours. The culture is generally laid back. If you struggle with anything, even if you seek help and are proactive, you may find yourself in want.
Don't expect a lot of compensation for hard work. Many people got excellent scores and got little or no raise or bonus. Numerous people left the company after busting their tail only to find out they weren't getting raises. It has been said even by leadership that it is best to COME in making around what you want than to expect to be rewarded after you have joined the company. Most people have to leave and come back to make the money they want.
