Suppose there are 300 associates, 90 managers, and 30 partners on average in a consulting firm. The firm only promotes from within and wants to determine the appropriate number of recruits to hire each year to maintain its size. Associates are either canned or promoted to manager after 4 years. Similarly, managers are either promoted to partner or released after 6 more years. Once promoted, a partner stays for 10 more years (total of 20 years with the firm).

• How many recruits should it hire each year?
• What is the probability any given new hire has to become partner?