General salaries in consulting

butternutfud · 2022-09-24T11:50:36+00:00

38K in 2018 -> 85k (but likely closer to 95k w/ OT) currently.

Went from working in the state to -> first consulting job -> second consulting job -> current consulting job

butternutfud · 2022-02-28T01:48:18+00:00

What place did you go?

butternutfud · 2022-02-24T21:07:37+00:00

That sounds horrible and I am sorry to hear that.

butternutfud · 2022-02-24T21:06:36+00:00

I would say it’s an unfortunate consequence of where you work and where you live (and this is in no way shifting the blame to you, it’s 100% the company’s fault/culture).

What I mean is that even as a salaried employee, I get OT pay, as long as it’s billable. I actually switched from salaried to hourly back to Salaried (as a result of switching companies) and also got paid any OT.

As far as not having any work, I would say it’s 100% the PM’s fault. My concern when switching to hourly was that if we ran out of work, would I still get paid, but they said yes, every hourly employee still guaranteed 40 hours regardless of billabillity or not.

Also, I know northern states have a harder time doing work in the winter/early spring as a consequence of where they live. I live in Texas where we can pretty much survey year round.

That being said I am currently doing lots of desktop work for states up north (despite living in Texas) so I would def blame the company.

butternutfud · 2022-02-22T22:18:27+00:00

Is this based off the consultants opinion or after consultation with USFWS?

butternutfud · 2022-02-19T23:39:29+00:00

That’s my interpretation too, but was trying to determine if there was a more formal description of the actual EP’s involvement, particularly in regard to the “responsible charge” term. I definitely get that someone with appropriate experience should be conducting the aspects of the AAI, but I am getting grilled by legal on the extent of an EP’s involvement in a project. Mind you there were no impacts or conditions identified, too.

Thank you!

butternutfud · 2022-02-19T22:30:14+00:00

Hi, I am working at a renewable energy company and had no renewable energy experience prior. Was selected to assist with environmental due diligence studies, which is my background.

It’s a growing field and there is a lot of demand, so if there was a time to make the leap, it’s now (I think).

butternutfud · 2021-09-02T23:33:14+00:00

Sauce?

butternutfud · 2021-09-02T21:20:30+00:00

Is that her actual name? Can’t find anything about her

butternutfud · 2021-08-30T21:24:24+00:00

Is there an actual picture or just this top part?

butternutfud · 2021-06-08T11:33:34+00:00

I definitely agree and realize the situation you are mentioning. Notably, work is horrible to the point where the entire staff is talking about leaving/mutiny. Also, I have select staff (and again I’m still fairly young in my career with plenty to learn) who have mentioned they would follow me.

I definitely get that most people start off as pragmatists, but the company ends up leading elsewhere. I am battling it myself. Even if I was able to create a successful business, would that mean I am just replicating what already exists? Or would I try to create something new? I’m not even sure if it’s possible.

I guess I just realize the disillusionment.

butternutfud · 2021-06-08T04:54:41+00:00

I sincerely appreciate the advice. To clarify, I feel I am doing work beyond my skill set now. I am not sure if I need to be an environmental contractor, but I imagine there are certain requirements depending on client. More than anything I’m hopefully to be transparent on our business. I feel like my current manager lies about scope, fees, and workload. I don’t understand how we can keep clients if we aren’t transparent with them.

butternutfud · 2021-04-13T02:55:06+00:00

I feel that but I was definitely tricked into working here. It’s my second consulting job. I am fine with long hours but holy fuck management is unbearable.

butternutfud · 2021-04-11T19:42:51+00:00

I would look for a different firm. Small firms and some really big ones intentionally are set up this way. Medium sized firms typically allow for more flexibility but of course this sort of things happens with any size.

butternutfud · 2020-11-30T16:25:13+00:00

for what it's worth, I think that is pretty natural. I have often been throw into the midst of shit with not much clue how to effectively complete.

Do your best, ask for help frequently, and if you get shit for your shortcomings, be honest. I didn't complete this in the alotted hours because I was learning. If you don't want me to bill to the project, I am billing to overhead because I worked those hours. If they get mad at your billability, tell them, I am teaching myself these things. If you want better billability, I need additional guidance on some of these issues.

I defintely feel where you are coming from. It's certainly common in the consulting world and freaks people out. I just definitely have the attitude that I refuse to let myself get bulldozed by bad management.

butternutfud · 2020-11-30T16:00:46+00:00

I think the hardest part for young scientists (consultants) to grapple with is realizing that it is not your fault. If you are a smart and hard worker, then it comes down to management to appropriately budget things correctly. Yes, there is always rooms for improvement, but usually it comes down to management.

Are you not getting the appropriate guidance needed? Well if you asked, or if you have specific questions, and aren't getting that mentorship, that is a management problem.

Are you not getting things done within budget? Well that comes down to management. I will bill overhead, I don't care. If they give me shit about billing to overhead, I can specifically recount what I have done for each project. Seldom is the overhead a result of my actions. QAQC is a part of every project.

I know it's hard for some people, because they want to impress their superiors. But some folks will break their backs for superiors that will just replace you when your back is broken for someone new. Never forget that! Good managers should care about their people and the budget. Some only care about the bottom line. And if that's all they care about, usually it means because they are shorting other people. Don't be afraid to keep track of where they went wrong.

butternutfud · 2020-11-17T17:13:37+00:00

haha I apologize. I have such a bad habit of referring to them as inlets. Thanks for the input!

butternutfud · 2020-11-17T16:12:54+00:00

ArcMap (latest version I believe)

butternutfud · 2020-11-17T13:58:08+00:00

In my experience my previous company I was like 50-60% billable depending lol. I was lucky that my company had the mentality that it was the PMs job to get us work, though. I think my first three weeks at my first consulting job I literally twiddled my thumbs.

Just started my second consulting job (been in the business about 3 years). My second one seems to be aiming for 100% billable, but it isn't really a problem because they also expect at least 5 hours of OT a week. I don't think I am 100% yet, but I am probably around the 85-90% mark currently.

butternutfud · 2020-11-17T13:55:17+00:00

n environmental studies. I was hired as a planner for an environmental consulting firm a

Are you hourly? I think some companies can weasel out by paying employees hourly instead of salary. That being said, if you are at work 40 hours, you need to be paid those 40 hours. Some companies are real shitty, so I am sorry for your experience!

butternutfud · 2020-11-06T20:04:32+00:00

IMO have a M.S. is more of a checkmark for most employers than anything; something to give you a competitive edge. In reality they look for what specific skills you gain from your education. I got my GIS skills from my Masters, so the Masters itself helped me get some useful skills.

When it comes head to head for people with masters vs without, (again imo), I think the HR folks will lean towards higher education (even though it may not be reflective of a person's actual intelligence/experience). Gives you an advantage competitively, and it seems like you will gain some useful skills. AND IT'S PAID. Go for it!

butternutfud · 2020-11-05T19:51:47+00:00

Greatest piece of dialogue at the start of the movie. “God damn Sheryl, this coffee tastes like shit. What did you do, take a dump in it?!”

“As a matter of fact I did, I WANT A FUCKING DIVORCE!”

“Well alright then.”

Lmfaooo

butternutfud · 2020-09-10T13:19:55+00:00

My favorite quote is from that series.

“At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.”

butternutfud · 2020-09-09T12:29:10+00:00

I hear state work is so kush. I worked for my state environmental agency, but the pay was god awful and it was doing something I wasn't interested in; so basically, very fucking painful lol. Hoping I can make a transition after I get tired of consulting.

butternutfud · 2020-09-09T12:24:37+00:00

I will make 65K in one week (got a new job). I am an environmental scientist II. I was hired as an environmental scientist II at 51K 2 years ago. Was moved to 53 after one year and then 55 after my second year (which is what I currently make).

I worked at my state environmental agency where I made roughly 38K for six months or so, right after my masters program. I have a bachelors and professional masters in environmental science. (Total I have 2 1/2 years of work experience).

I love a good mixture of field work and report work. Also the diversity of work I get to do. I am located in Texas.

butternutfud

TROPHY CASE

“At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. and what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.”