Booz Allen Hamilton: An insider guide - Gymkhana

Career PathBooz Allen seeks to develop professionals who have knowledge and expertisethat is broad as well as deep. Commercial associates are hired into home officesand work on a series of engagements across industries and functions so theycan develop broad skill sets. Senior associates select a market-facing team andbuild professional depth through specialization in an industry or function.Staffing opportunities are posted on an intranet site, and employees are able tonominate themselves for upcoming projects.Booz Allen helps employees find challenging assignments and avenues todevelop their careers. One way is through its mentorship program. Mostconsulting firms have some sort of mentoring program, but several insiders atBooz Allen spoke unusually highly of theirs. Consultants, associates, and seniorassociates each have a junior and a senior mentor who let them know what jobsare coming up and help guide their choices. Booz Allen employees—fromconsultant through senior vice president—tend to be on a first-name basis, anddoors to offices are generally open. “I personally have about ten people whocome into my office and ask, ‘Can I talk to you?’” says a senior associate.However, a WTB insider says that a formal mentoring program instituted in heroffice several years ago fizzled out, though she also says that good guidanceabounds: “We do it informally—through our assessments and through personalrecommendations.” One way or another, all WTB insiders sing praise for thesupport they receive.The WorkplacePromotions at Booz Allen are based on merit and, insiders say, are occurringmore quickly than in the past. A recruiter confirms that the firm is interested inmoving people up faster and points out that every path to partner is custom-55