associate

analyst

associate consultant

senior associate

principal

Charles River Associates

Everyday was fast-paced and included managing daily operations with regard to new projects, current projects, client and internal issues. Required to satisfy many operational needs, this position required immense patience. At times, completing a task entailed waiting on other team members before proceeding. Management allowed team members to work together to resolve potential conflicts (which rarely occurred because everyone was professional and understood his/her role on a project). The most challenging aspect of the role was aligning budget/expenses with respective monthly invoices - often due to last minute travel or inclusion of a new team member. This position deepened my budget forecasting acumen and anticipating the potential issues that arise, as well as improved my usage of Excel. Most rewarding was the ability to sustain our clients' satisfaction project after project.

Working at Charles River Associates (CRA) has been an experience of mixed feelings. On one hand, the compensation offered by the company is undeniably competitive, which is a significant plus. However, it is important to note that the workload can be overwhelming, leading to a lack of work-life balance.

At CRA, the fast-paced environment demands dedication and commitment, often requiring long hours to meet project deadlines. This can result in limited personal time and potential challenges in maintaining a healthy work-life integration. It is crucial for individuals considering a role at CRA to be prepared for the demanding nature of the work.

You get to work with great people, get excellent on the job training, and participate in significant projects. It is difficult to find a job that can match the benefits package.

However, you are either so busy that you do not have a life (70+ hours) or you have nothing to do. Unfortunately, this plays havoc on you personal life, wellness, and makes it difficult to predict compensation. I would not recommend working here for longer than the typical two years for an associate or analyst, as the skills you gain are better compensated elsewhere.

Great place to develop a lot of good working skills, but little room for upward mobility (for Analysts/Associates). Work/life balance is what it is for consulting -- expected to work around the clock when needed but hours are very flexible when there aren't deadlines. No huge pressure to hit billed hours minimum, just directly affects your bonus. Job does come with lots of perks and there's an obvious effort to make it an enjoyable place to work (table tennis, happy hours, lunches, etc.).

Great consulting firm with good reputation and plenty of chances to work on interesting projects/ cases. Culture is supportive, pretty transparent and fair.

Litigation consulting can be stressful - significant consequences for your career if you make a mistake that doesnt get caught. 70+ hours weeks when in some projects.

Pros are you get to work with lots of smart people; Develop good set of data analysis skills and work ethic that are very transferable to other companies. 


CRA is very detailed oriented and stringent work place, however, the people are very helpful.  They appreciate someone who will take the initiative on day to day matters as well as someone with strong work ethics and a professional, team oriented attitude.

good pay and benefits. very serious environment with an emphasis on independent analysis. Nice offices and staff. Consultant training has improved in the past few years.  One negative is the leadership culture... it's slanted more towards the 80's/90's than the 2000's.

I loved working at CRAI. They have a great atmosphere, very deadline driven, professional. Advancement as usual in Boston is based on workload and a willingness to put the company first. CRAI has great projects to work on. Loved it here.

This is the place you go to as a stepping stone on your way to a prestigious graduate school.But don’t expect much out of the experience. Especially if you’re part the age of 25. 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Associate 13 salaries reported	$97,923 per year
Analyst 5 salaries reported	$87,600 per year
Associate consultant 4 salaries reported	$138,875 per year
Senior associate 1 salary reported	$200,000 per year
Principal 3 salaries reported	$206,667 per year

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