But is adapting enough?

By definition, adapting is the ability to adjust oneself to a condition or environment, or to make given requirements and/or conditions suitable. In a nutshell, adapting serves the individual because the idea behind adapting is to make things more comfortable for one to operate. While this may enable an easier working environment for us, it doesn’t always speak to the needs of our clients on a more intimate level.

On my last project, with a major automotive company as my client, I served as the OCM and Adoption Leads. Over the course of 2011, I traveled to more than 20 states and approximately 100 cities with the primary goal of introducing, demonstrating, training and converting company personnel on a new tool designed to enhance the dealership service lane experience. Whereas adapting served its purpose and helped me better understand what it was like to be around Service Managers, Technicians and the service lane, it did not necessarily make them comfortable with me, nor the system and processes I came to implement.

In order for my clients to feel relaxed with me and the tools I was tasked to implement, I needed to be seen as one of them, and not so much as an outsider that knew a bit of their business. I had to “blend in” with their environment, the way they thought, the way they conducted business and spoke. Taking into consideration that I traveled across the country conducting these visits, one can imagine the constant changes I encountered regarding my clients (i.e., their ideas, diction and behavior, etc.). Blending in needed to be effortless and had to occur on a week-to-week basis.

Enter a new method…a new approach to the conventional thoughts and methods to adapting. I became a chameleon. Looking more at the character trait of a chameleon (and not its definition), one understands that these animals have the uncanny ability of “blending” into their environment by changing their appearance in order to appear as part of their surroundings. By adjusting certain characteristics, they are able to walk into various terrains and mingle with the inhabitants without causing serious disruption. In other words, they adapt to an environment by their ability to blend in, and their environment remains undisturbed because of their blending. In essence, the “locals” do not feel threatened because the outsider does not appears as…well… an outsider.

As consultants, we are constantly engaging various individuals with each new project and/or location. And on occasion, a single project can require frequent changes in scenery. Developing the ability to move seamlessly between our clients and interact with them – all the while enabling them to feel at ease with our presence – is a necessity. It allows for a more relaxed environment and usually results in synergies that minimize unnecessary wastes (i.e., time, effort, meetings, etc.). Our clients are much more likely to open up and reveal their true nature as opposed to being on watch and guarding their thoughts and words. The next time you are sitting in your cubicle at the client’s site, think about your interactions and ask yourself: “Am I simply adapting, or am I blending in?”

Capgemini is excited to be back recruiting on Auburn’s campus this fall. We are looking for December, May and August graduates for our Campus Hire Program who are looking for a challenging and exciting career in the IT industry. We have already hosted a few events at Auburn, but there are still opportunities to meet the Capgemini team for those interested. The team will be on campus this Thursday (October 6^th) for our information session. We would love to meet with you, explain more about life in consulting and answer any questions you may have. Below are the next dates that Capgemini will be on campus:

Event: Information Session

Date/Time: October 6, 2011 at 6:00pm

Location: Shelby 1122

Description: Come to learn what Capgemini is all about and what it really means to be a consultant. We will also be discussing Capgemini’s recruiting process. This event is open to sophomores, juniors, and graduating seniors, and is a great chance to network with Capgemini consultants.

Event: First Round Interviews

Date: October 14, 2011

Location: Mary Martin Hall

 Please take advantage of these opportunities to see if Capgemini is where you want to start your career. Make sure to submit your resume to Capgemini on TRL if you’re interested!

War Eagle!

 About a million and a half years ago, I was a senior at Rice looking to find a job in consulting.  Why?  Well initially, it was because I didn’t want to go to law school or intern on the Hill like many of my other POLI peers.  So I asked myself, “Self, what kind of job are you looking for?”

 To which I replied, “Well, let’s not make this too difficult—I liked Rice, let’s find a job that’s like Rice.”  And that was the beginning of my job search—trying to find a career and a company that was a good fit for me, just like Rice was. 

 When I met employees from Capgemini through campus recruiting, I knew this firm was a good fit.  Why?  Because it was like Rice, of course!  Here are just some of the ways Capgemini is like Rice, and why it’s a great fit for Rice Owls.      

 1)      “Work hard, play hard.”  Rice’s unofficial motto rings true after graduation at Capgemini.  In fact, FUN is one of our Seven Values.  We make a point to have fun.  As outlined in our Seven Values, we value fun because “without which any corporate vision is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to implement.”

 2)      Coolest nerds on the planet.  One of the greatest things about my experience at Rice was being surrounded by such brilliant, creative, awesome nerds.  At Rice, you get to meet kids from all over the world who have done really cool stuff and you just know they are going places.  At Capgemini, I work with great minds and talent from all over the globe. 

 3)      Diverse, Rich Experiences.  Rice presented me with a wealth of opportunities—I studied abroad, served on Lovett’s Central Committee, interned in economic development through Leadership Rice, played lacrosse, as well as acted in and directed college theater productions.  At Capgemini, I’ve served in several different roles (Change Management, Project Management, Human Resources) and worked on engagements in many different industries (Retail, Consumer Products, Manufacturing, Oil and Gas).

 4)      Glocal.  Rice is a major research university with international presence, yet still has the small, intimate feel of a small liberal arts college.  Capgemini is a truly global firm.  We are headquartered in France.  Our Rightshore delivery model allows us to “chase the sun,” delivering value to our clients around the clock with resources in India, Eastern Europe, and North America, among other geographic locations around the world.  Still, I feel at home in the Houston office, where we are very tight-knit—we attend happy hours, volunteer, and even go on runs together.  Our local office culture allows our consultants to fly all over the world and still have a place to call home.        

 While this list isn’t exhaustive, it gives you an idea of why, if you loved Rice, Capgemini could very well be a fit for you, too!    

 Go owls!

-Annie

 This year Capgemini is back on campus at the “U” and we’re actively recruiting for our Campus Hire Program.  So naturally, the next question is, “what is the Campus Hire Program?”  Cue the Real World intro:

This is the true story, of 30 strangers, picked to live…

Okay, so it’s not quite like MTV’s Real World, but the initial two week On-Boarding program is made up of 30-60 new hires from all over the country, with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. What ensues is a lot of learning, training, networking, and most importantly, fun! 

After learning basic consulting skills, new hires within the SA&I (Services, Applications, and Integrations) and SAP service lines – two areas within our Technology Services practice – have the opportunity to participate in the Extended On-Boarding program.  This entails an additional 5 weeks in Mumbai, India, where new hires receive hands-on training in their specific service line and get to know their Indian counterparts.  The On-Boarding Program concludes with a week-long case study in Houston, TX, in which new hires are given the opportunity to showcase what they have learned throughout the on-boarding process.

 Ultimately, the eight-week Campus Hire Program offers international experience, hands-on tech training, and valuable networking opportunities, all of which will provide new hires with a great foundation for day one on the job. 

 To learn more about Capgemini and our Campus Hire Program, please attend our Info Session & Signature Event!  Below are some key dates and events to remember:

 Consulting Club Kick-Off

Date: 9-27-11

Location: Carlson Atrium

Description: We will have a booth in the CSOM atrium to meet potential candidates and provide more information about our recruiting efforts.

 Info Session & Signature Event

Date: 9-28-11

Location: Annie’s Parlour

Description:  Sophomores, juniors, and seniors – join us at Annie’s Parlor in Dinkytown for some burgers and malts!  Candidates will have the opportunity to network with all levels of Capgemini from Staff Consultant to VP.  During the event, candidates will hear from a panel of current employees, work with Capgemini consultants to discover their equation for success, and experience the “Cap culture” first hand.

 Resume Drop/Interview Sign-Up Deadline

Date: 9-30-11

Location: The Edge

On Campus Interviews

Date: 10-21-11

Location: Undergraduate Business Career Center

Go Gophs!

-Ryan

Capgemini, in the very recent years, has increased their recruiting efforts at Trinity University. Capgemini held a meet and greet on September 23, 2011 in Coates Hall from 9:45 AM-2:00 PM. The Trinity Capgemini recruitment team would like to welcome those potential candidates to chat with Trinity Alum about the company and your prospective future with Capgemini. 

On September 29^th, Capgemini will be hosting a meet and greet for potential candidates at Tomatillos from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM.  This is a great opportunity to meet more people from Capgemini.  If you are interested in attending please RSVP with Hayley Emerick (Hayley.Emerick@capgemini.com) .

Every college senior can vouch that it can be extremely overwhelming to begin moving towards the next steps after college.  As I began the job search process, I felt unsure of the path I wanted to take.  However, being a Trinity Women’s Soccer player, I knew I wanted to continue on a course where I would be surrounded by a team-based environment. Capgemini strongly emphasizes and values the importance of building relationships and collaborating with those around you.  As I have gotten the opportunity to travel to India for a 5 week training program, I saw these values practiced there as well. Capgemini has a culture that is few and far between.  In addition to the focus on a highly collaborative and team-based environment, Capgemini strives to provide a challenging career path. Thus far, my daily activities constantly push my comfort zone and have allowed for a great expansion of my knowledge in consulting and SAP.

 -Lauren

Howdy Ags!

Capgemini is excited to be back at Texas A&M for another recruiting season. We are looking for December, May and August grads for our Campus Hire Program and would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have about Capgemini.  Check out the events below to see when Capgemini will be on campus next. 

Here is a list of the events we have had on campus and will be having going forward.

Event:  Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Meeting 

Date:  September 8^th, 2011

Location: Wehner 184

Description:   Capgemini will be the corporate presenter at the first CSCMP meeting of the semester.  We’ll discuss what it’s really like to be an IT Consultant and Capgemini specific project methodology. Recent Aggie grads will also give more details about our extensive 8 week training program. From Atlanta, GA to Mumbai, India to Houston, TX!

Event:  Information Session

Date:  September 15, 2011

Location:  Rudder Tower

Description:  Come learn about Capgemini and what it really means to be a consultant.  A great event for networking with experienced consultants and asking specific questions about Capgemini.

 Event: Business Career Fair

Date:  Setember 21, 2011

Location:  Mays Business School

Description:  Come by to meet some of our experienced consultants and learn how to apply for our Campus Hire Program.  We’ll be able to answer any questions you have about working for Capgemini, what it’s like to participate in  the 8 week training program,  and how to apply for the Campus Hire program.  All majors are welcome! 

Capgemini will be selecting interviewees for first round interviews starting September 22^nd.   Interviews will be conducted on campus on Friday, September 30^th.

Gig ‘em

-Kendall

How an engineering degree prepares you for consulting

Not many traditional engineering students choose consulting as their career right out of college. Georgia Tech is no exception either. I personally did not consider going into consulting until my senior year. Many may wonder, how do engineering students fit in the consulting business? More importantly, why do consulting firms such as Capgemini specifically look to hire engineering students? There are several reasons.

Engineering students have the problem-solving skills. Regardless of the major, engineering students have to deal with numerous projects each semester. The project may be a physics lab, an electric circuit, a computer program, or even an architectural design. All of these projects consist of many smaller problems that need to be tackled. The way to complete these projects is just like to complete a task for the clients. You break down the task to smaller tasks that can be handled one by one, and then finish these tasks in a logical order. During the process you will most likely encounter problems you do not know how to solve (unless you are too talented or slacking off), but you can always learn from various sources. In the end, the task is finished, and you have just gained some new knowledge! The professor will be happy, or in the case of consulting, your clients will give you good feedback.

Engineering students also perform better under pressure. Most of the engineering classes are very demanding at Georgia Tech. In each class, there would be quite a few pop-quizzes, homework, projects, and exams. Most students take 4 to 5 classes every semester. This means the student would have to study for upcoming quiz/homework/project/exam all the time. You would run into similar situation in the consulting world as well. While clients are unlikely to give you a quiz on how they do their business, they often set up a tight schedule for consultants to complete different phases of a project. So you would have deadlines approaching constantly. That is a lot of stress to deal with, especially when you have to make sure the work you turn into the client is of exceptional quality. However, if more than often, you have pulled all-nighters in the library to study for an exam, or stayed in the lab to debug a computer program, or sat in front of the computer for hours to finish a lab report, then you should have no problem completing tasks with fast-approaching deadlines.

Engineering students have more experience creating deliverables as well. A deliverable is a document that is often requested by clients to display the work done by consultants. A deliverable could be a power point slide, a configuration document, a training handbook, etc. These deliverables are often read by clients who are not necessarily familiar with all the technical terms. Therefore, when creating the deliverables, a consultant should avoid using jargon so that clients can understand the words easily. In the meantime, the deliverables should also be able to accurately describe the issue. This may not be as hard as composing a prose, but it does require quite some practice. Engineering students however, are perfectly prepared to handle this task. All the design papers, lab reports, business proposals, and user manuals you have had to write during college, are perfect examples of the kind of deliverable you would have to create for clients.

Were you interested in consulting but not sure whether you would fit in? Now you know an engineering degree actually prepares you for a career in consulting quite a bit. As long as you are willing to interact with people in addition to possessing the skills I have just mentioned, I would strongly encourage you to apply to Capgemini now!

-  Raymond Yuan (Raymond.yuan@capgemini.com)

This year Capgemini has been very active in recruiting at The University of Texas. Capgemini has participated in the career fair and employer panel earlier this month. The team will be on campus this Thursday, September 15^th for a signature event and information session. When recruiting, students can often grow tiresome from attending information sessions that are monotonous, simple, and not as informative about the culture as they can be. At Capgemini we strive to look at situations in a different view in order to give our clients a different perspective. We are bringing that same philosophy with the way that we do information sessions on campus. Our information session is paired with something we refer to as the signature event. The signature event is an event for students to learn about what they and other college students value in both their professional lives as well as their personal non-professional lives. After working together with Capgemini consultants, students discover their equation of success which takes into account both factors of a professional career and a personal life to have a strong work life balance. Along with this activity, we will provide more information about Capgemini and our individual experiences about working at Capgemini by pairing our informative presentation with a panel of Capgemini employees of all levels to explain what they do in their day-to-day activities. Students are able to question panelists at all levels to get a better grasp on what they could potentially be doing in all stages of their career at Capgemini.

I participated in the event last year and it was very different from any recruiting information session that I have ever attended for other companies. The recruits not only walked away with a better understanding of what Capgemini has to offer but also a better understanding of what they are looking for in a professional career.

Thursday, September 15^th: Signature Event and Information Session at the AT&T Conference Center in Room 203 at 6:30 PM. 

Hook ‘em! – Christopher

 Capgemini is on campus this fall at Clemson and hopes to attract students looking for an exciting and challenging career who enjoy working with people and the developing IT landscape of our world. On behalf our Capgemini team that will be headed to Clemson, we would love to meet potential candidates and provide more information about Capgemini.  Here are some dates to remember:

Wednesday, September 14^th Capgemini will be on campus for the Clemson career fair.  We are very excited about meeting potential new hires!

Tuesday, September 20^th at 7:00 PM in McKissick Theater located in the Hendrix Student Center Capgemini will host an information session for all potential candidates. This event is open to sophomores, juniors, and graduating seniors. We use this time for candidates to network with Capgemini consultants.  If you are interested in the information session, please RSVP to Jenna Wessinger (jenna.wessinger@capgemini.com) by Friday, September 16th.  In addition, please attach a copy of your resume, so we can get to know you better before meeting you in person.

Friday, October 7^th First round interviews will be held on-campus in the Michelin Career Center. 

 Please take advantage of these three opportunities to meet Capgemini consultants and see if this is the right fit for you!  We hope to CU there!  Go Tigers!

We all have choices; we choose where we go to school, what we want to study, and ultimately, our career paths. I was fortunate enough to have a few offers to choose from in very different industries, but ultimately I chose to work with Capgemini. There are 3 main factors that influenced my decision (apart from the obvious benefits). They are: the consulting dynamic, the culture, and the room for growth. Below is an in-depth look into all of them.

The Consulting Dynamic

The main reason I joined was because I liked what I call “the consulting dynamic.” The consulting dynamic is an environment that is generally fast-paced, involves a significant amount of traveling with a high level of interactions with the client, and contains a wide variety of projects. What I particularly like about a variety of projects is the high level of exposure to different types of business needs which give you a better idea of where you want your future career path to take you. To add to that I love the fact that projects and projects’ needs are constantly changing.  There is always a new project around the corner and the start of a new endeavor.

I was also pleasantly surprised that some of the consulting myths are not true. One of those myths about consulting is that you have to have years of experience to be a consultant. The other myth is that you have to have an MIS, IT or Computer Science background. Both myths are false. While having experience in consulting or business technology never hurts, it is not a requirement.  Capgemini’s philosophy is to teach new hires the technical and consulting skills, while you bring your enthusiasm, team spirit and eagerness to learn.

The Business Culture

The second reason I wanted to join Capgemini was because I identified with the business culture. True to its core values, Capgemini is fun and prides itself on a collegial atmosphere. Many of Capgemini’s great consultants are part of the campus hire program and have a young spirit. Being surrounded by a group of close peers in a community like Capgemini is great when living in a city like Atlanta that is spread out and full of new faces. There are many opportunities to network outside the office and make new friends with colleagues.   

Another cornerstone of Capgemini’s values is collaboration. Collaboration refers to Capgemini’s team work mentality. Capgemini has an extensive network for ‘knowledge sharing’ which includes sharing past work, experiences, and lessons learned together.  This knowledge sharing refers specifically to working with information, documentation, or other intellectual property created by our own employees. To me, this is a very important quality to have as I believe that we can all contribute and accomplish great things if we work as a group and are as transparent as possible. 

The Ability to Grow

The third and final reason that I decided to work with Capgemini was that Information Technology is increasingly important to both small and large corporations alike. Similar to accounting, finance and marketing, IT is something that transcends all industries.  IT is constantly evolving and has many facets to it, which gives individuals an ability not just to grow, but to thrive professionally. With that in mind, working with Capgemini can give you some of the IT tools that will make you valuable to a wide variety of clients and companies down the road.

Picking the right company can be a bit of a challenge. In the end, you have to evaluate what you want to do and what you think aligns best with you.  For me, it was important to work with an international company that was fast-paced, that encouraged team work, and that allowed me to grow professionally. If this sounds like something that you are interested in, then Capgemini is the place for you! No matter what decision you make, I wish you the best of luck in the recruiting process.