In the tech side of management consulting the work is beyond a joke. You are a glorified secretary at best, changing meaningless things on a power point slide, taking meeting minutes (that never get used), coming up with a list of questions for clients (that never get used), reaching out to people to ask are their contact details up to date for project proposals or organizing calls with people (which is quite depressing if you have a tech background/degree). The worst thing is you're given no choice but to do these things, there is no regard for your skill set or interests and you just get thrown these quite depressing/mind-numbing jobs to do, that in truth anyone with a functioning brain could do. If you worked a 5-hour week you'd probably get all the tasks you need done for the week. I would also say the emphasis on boozing and nights out sets a bad example for young grads joining the company (in my first week a senior manager said the first week of grads should be like a college freshers week). If you pursue other interests away from work and miss these nights out you're seen to be letting the side down, which in my opinion creates a school-like atmosphere of trying to fit in and conformity. Massively publicizing and encouraging organized grad drinking trips abroad also creates this school-like atmosphere of trying to fit in and creates this environment where trips and drinking are more important in work, which again in my opinion creates bad habits in young employees. You meet some genuine people but it's few and far between. Also, things like your accent and interests will be picked up upon if you don't come from or conform to the establishment types. (my manager on a project used to sometimes make fun of my accent on stand-ups). If you have any passion/interest in coding or technology in general don't even consider this as a first job out of college because you'll lose those skills fairly quickly with the type of work you'll be given.
