During the recruiting process, I was paying special attention to the people I met at the different firms. While BCG people in general were a major draw for me, the BCG women consultants I met in particular made me very hopeful about my future in the company.
The women I met were smart, funny, down to earth, and ultimately "real". They talked to me about the challenges of maintaining a normal life given the busy work life. They were open to my questions, which they answered honestly, without worrying about political correctness. They saw me as a person and not a potential recruit, and I connected with them. I felt that I would enjoy working alongside these people on a daily basis and that I would want to spend my free time with them also.
After having been with BCG for over two years in two offices (New York and Moscow), I could say my first impressions were correct. When you spend so much time at the client’s site or in the office, having people around you whose company you enjoy is critical to your well-being and the quality of your work.
I've been continuously impressed by the women I've met and worked with at BCG. While they range from partners with four kids to young associates just out of college, the overall trait I find in BCG women is their ability to remain warm and balanced during the most difficult case times. It is a trait that the BCG environment fosters and one that I would like to learn to retain throughout my time with the company.