I was recently hired at Accenture in Systems Integration & Technology, formerly BSI Consulting, in an operating group. I networked a great deal and was staffed on a strategy project as a first project. This involves no IT work. While not formerly assigned to strategy, my team says that after this project, another similar one will be rather easy to get and that a former transfer to business/management consulting is likely within a year.Is this accurate information? As my goal is strategy consulting, am I the exception to the rule for new analysts in SI&T to get on a strategy project?Thank you for your answers.

I would say that your situation is very unique. Many new analysts "want to be in strategy" and few get the opportunity in the up or out system. How you "networked" your way into strategy is beyond me, but nice job. At Accenture, strategy and change management are really the best areas for future opportunities in strategy consulting and business school. You're on the fast track.

I'm not as confident as the previous poster. As you haven't networked your way into the job, but landed it accidentally, you won't have the network yet to keep you in it. Thinking about why you would have been pulled onto the project, it's because of being short-handed temporarily. As soon as more Analyst capacity frees up within Business Consulting or the next batch of Business Consulting Analysts arrives, you are likely to be replaced. Also, unless you get formally transferred to Business Consulting, you nowadays can't graduate from the ATP unless you have gained sufficient relevant experience in your "home" service line - which means going back into SIT in Analyst roles for two years at some point before you can become a Consultant.

To gently disagree with the point above - don't throw the chance away out of fear that it will hurt your career progression (1) Getting into strats internally is tough (strangely, the process is probably tougher than coming in from outside) (2) the best route is to get staffed - which you have done, so congratulations (3) you've been given your chance so take it - do the clever extra research, generate the bright ideas, get invited to the strats events. It really is a good place to be and even if strats doesn't work out, you will be well placed to get into one of the other business consulting service lines. By definition you've clearly been spotted as one of the brightest so work it. Good luck!

Thank you for your advice. I appreciate your encouragement. I really am determined to succeed on this project, and in particular, am finding as much strategy research, books, and training as possible. It's great to be surrounded by people motivated by ideas. Thanks again for your response!