In my opinion, I think the Big 4 is very overrated. Yes they are good for expanding your career and really kick starting it, but I think if you're a uni student, particularly studying what you want to study Namu, I think you should stick to a mid-tier firm. Too many people are stuck up about being in the Big 4. Speaking to a few cadets in the Big 4, they do agree that the Big 4 is overrated.
I asked a few of the Big 4 representatives about flexibility in their firms, and most of them talked about being able to attend night classes. Although that might not sound too bad now, just talking to a lot of my cadet friends who work in the Big 4, they find that they become very tired and cannot concentrate after work then studying. In addition to that, uni is often said as being like "doing two hscs in one year". On top of that, you're just fresh out of high school, shouldn't you be enjoying Uni life, freedom and youth?
Big 4 is too much of a stress for 18/19 year olds in my belief.
I have myself considered that issue. However, as I already mentioned, I did spend nearly 15 minutes each for rep from each big 4. They have highlighted the flexibility of their programs and etc. I have not just talked to recruiters but also to each cadet as well. My friends were worried that they will not be able to have their usual party days but those cadets were excellent in clarifying such issues.
Whether Big 4 is overrated or not, they seem to be my places. There is absolutely no denying that BIG 4 provide more opportunities for travelling, expansion, more variety in terms of employment type, promotion, benefits and etc.
I think this feeling of confinement comes from being in a small private environment. I have been too stuck in my small private school that I really want to expand into the largest firm if it is possible. I always felt that I couldn't expand further beyond the opportunities they provided me.
Besides programs from Big 4 and mid-tier firms are essentially same if not very similar. Then why not go for a big one?
You are right btw, Uni is like 2 HSCs, even from my own experience with Cosmology. But so what? HSC isn't hard. 2 HSCs is certainly not hard with nearly 4 months holiday and less attendance measure. I am juggling between my uni and HSC study too this year and I am doing fine. I reckon part time uni would be 1 HSC maybe if not less. In addition to that, I wouldn't mind busy life because that's what I always have anyway.
As Seremify said, Cadetship is a FULL employment regardless of where you go. If you think mid-tier is more lenient and requires less participation, think again. I can bet that it's basically same wherever you go.
I personally reckon you can still enjoy Uni life, freedom and youth to the maximum if you juggle both work and study appropriatlely. You might even feel more satisfied and accomplished if you do succeed in both. 2 years of juggling is all it takes...
