When you join BCG, you will develop rapidly as you take on a steady stream of new and complex challenges. You will structure and manage increasingly complex work, lead project teams, advise clients, and assume leadership roles within the firm.
What will you actually do? Read about the path you will take and the responsibilities that come with a career at BCG.
Associates are exposed to a broad range of clients and industries. They develop first-hand knowledge of critical business issues while honing client-management and problem-solving skills. An intensive orientation session and continual learning opportunities are part of an associate's formal development program.
Typically, associates will
- Conduct interviews within the client organization
- Use innovative methods to conduct or gather market research
- Build spreadsheet models to analyze data
- Communicate results orally and in writing to BCG team members and clients
As associates acquire successful experience on projects, they are given greater autonomy and responsibilities. Most associates take two to three years to master the challenges of the role.
After this period, the associate's career path becomes more individualized. Some are promoted to consultant. Some leave to pursue an M.B.A. or other advanced degree. Others move on to corporations, startups, not-for-profit organizations, or other new careers.
Consultants are a core component of the BCG organization. They work closely with clients to help them better understand competitive issues, develop strategies for change, and achieve results.
New BCG consultants participate in project teams while developing expertise in
- quantitative analysis
- interviewing skills
- conceptualizing and communicating strategic solutions
- client relationship skills
- teamwork
Consultants and associates perform many similar tasks, but consultants carry more responsibility from the outset. Their work is often more complex and its scope broader. Most consultants remain in that role for two to three years before becoming project leaders.
Some consultants pursue a traditional career path from project leader to principal to partner. The length of time in the consultant role will depend on educational background and prior experience. Others find that their BCG experience has prepared them for new careers as entrepreneurs or corporate managers.
Project leader may well be the most varied role within BCG. A project leader must be equal parts consultant, team leader, and project manager. Consultants typically move into the project leader position after two to three years, having demonstrated that they have mastered consulting skills and shown leadership potential.
BCG project leaders
- keep one eye on the big picture and the other on the details
- provide intellectual leadership for their teams by generating key ideas and conceptual frameworks to guide
- research and analysis
- create work plans to ensure that projects are on time and within budget
- communicate the status of a project to senior BCG colleagues
- work closely with clients.
With experience and confidence, project leaders contribute to business development and external relations. They may work with teams that are recruiting associates or consultants, write client proposals, or write articles for internal and external audiences. Most spend one and a half to two years.
BCG principals are proven professionals with track records as both outstanding consultants and successful project leaders. They gradually take on larger project-management responsibilities, eventually directing a number of client engagements. Over time, they also help link BCG's work on client projects to its broader business and strategic vision.
Seasoned principals' work on client projects consistently reflects clients' goals and agendas. For example, principals work on developing business in practice areas, expanding BCG's business capabilities, and generating ideas for new proposals. They are responsible for sharing with the organization insights gained from client projects and internal research. Principals also help communicate BCG ideas to clients and the media.
BCG partners are seasoned consultants who have demonstrated exceptional intellectual, organizational, and client-management skills. Although they continue to work closely with client project teams, every partner's primary responsibility is to make a significant difference for clients and develop client relationships.
Partners guide and motivate their project teams to craft innovative solutions to client problems, ensure that clients' interests are always foremost, and inspire individual team members to consistently meet the highest professional and ethical standards. Partners work closely with project teams, while maintaining their focus on management of the client relationship.
BCG partners also play leading roles in forging new client relationships. They pursue client leads and develop conceptual insights for a wider audience. In this role, many partners function as BCG ambassadors to the larger business community, devoting considerable time to networking, publishing, and public speaking.
