One question I’ve often been asked at recruitment fairs by interested students, is ‘what is it actually like working as a consultant?’ Well, one reality is that during your time in the CDC you will more than likely have to spend time working away from home. Paris in springtime? Occasionally. Zurich over the summer? Possibly. Scunthorpe over the winter? Probably.

So how much time can you expect to spend away? Well to put it into perspective, in my first year in the CDC I spent 7 months working away on two different projects. In comparison however, colleagues I started with have after 18 months yet to leave London!

So what is it like to work away during the week? Well the good news is that it really isn’t an Alan Partridge style existence of Travel Taverns and loner meals for one with an extra large plate. At Capgemini we aim to stick to the ‘3-4-5’ rule when working away. This is where you work for the client for 5 days, 4 days of which will be at their site wherever that may be, with the other day spent working from your base office. As a result you will be away for 3 nights (Monday-Wednesday), thus travelling Monday morning and returning Thursday night.

As you’d expect, being away midweek for extended periods of time can present some challenges, especially if you are in a relationship or living with someone (although I suppose 4 days apart might come as a welcome relief to some couples). The reality of working away can mean very early starts on a Monday morning followed by several hours on a train, and being away midweek can certainly curtail your social life. But don’t let me put you off, it does of course have many benefits. A decent meal out every night, a free gym on hand in the hotel, and if you’re not the tidiest person in the world (like myself) a freshly made bed and spotless room are things you quickly get used to. And I haven’t even mentioned hotel loyalty points yet! Stick with one company, play the game and sign up for their offers and you’ll soon be enjoying the highlife, be it free business class flights across the Atlantic or a complimentary weekend stay at a one star hotel in Croydon.

But for me, the best part about being away is definitely the camaraderie and friendships that you develop with your colleagues, be they fellow members of the CDC or the project team in general. It would be true to say that the best friends I’ve made during my time here have been with people that I’ve worked away with.

And a final benefit of life on the road? Well, speaking to a colleague before I wrote this blog, I asked him what the best bit was about working away, ‘easy’, he replied, ‘I’ve now got enough complimentary toiletry samples to last me for the next few years’.