Five years ago I was looking for a job opportunity that would provide me with both a challenging professional environment and major international exposure. When I was interviewing for a position as a visiting associate in Milan, I constantly asked the interviewers what international opportunities were available within BCG.

I accepted the offer on the grounds that BCG is one of the very few truly global networks, where experience and competence is shared and is a significant competitive advantage for everybody. Today I have worked on projects in 14 countries with teams of people from many of our offices worldwide. Through our diverse array of expertise and backgrounds we deliver terrific value to both our clients and ourselves, thus winning—with BCG!

I look for a balance of three elements in a job: constant learning, work-life balance, and pay. At BCG I have this balance.

Firstly, there is not a single similar day. During the last three years I have familiarized myself with several industries, business functions, and people from all over the world. My projects have varied from conducting a pricing check for a luxury sailing boat manufacturer to creating a distributor strategy for an emerging market brewery.

Secondly, I have enjoyed an excellent work-life balance. Besides work, I have taken time off for traveling and practiced my hobby of dancing regularly. It has been up to me when I work—as long as everything gets done.

Thirdly, the pay is competitive. It’s balancing all these three that makes BCG the perfect job for me!

Anu-Elina started in the Helsinki office in 2005. She is currently on transfer to the Melbourne office.

Before joining BCG she worked in banking in London.

Anu-Elina holds three degrees: a master’s in economics from the Helsinki School of Economics, a CEMS MIM (master’s in international management), as well as master’s in international politics with a minor in economics from the University of Helsinki.

After ten years in consulting, working for different firms in South America, the Middle East, and Continental Europe, I decided it was time to focus on what I know best—telecommunications and media, in Italy, the country where I plan to spend my life, and with the fastest growing top-class consulting firm.

Joining a young yet structured group of people in Italy gave me the opportunity to support the development of the practice, to broaden my comfort zone from my core telecom skills to media and broadcasting, and to be part of a truly international account—innovative and successful in Italy but with operations all over the world.

I was impressed by the level of commitment and dedication of the junior team, by the deep industry knowledge and leadership of the senior colleagues, and by the level of enthusiasm and support offered by the international partner team.

Being close to finishing my degree, I was hungry for a career where I would have great impact and where I could continue to develop both professionally and personally.

I participated in a female only recruiting event at BCG and I was attracted by all the intelligent and fun people I met. I appreciate the fact that BCG encourages female initiatives and I believe that characteristics unique to women can add a lot of value to our clients and to BCG. However, working with talented and creative people stands above all, and all of my colleagues, both male and female, are a big inspiration to me and serve as great role models.

Kristine holds a master’s in biotechnology from the Technical University of Denmark and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

Kristine joined the BCG Copenhagen office in 2008.

After my third-year internship, I was enticed by all the professional and personal possibilities available at BCG. It has already been ten  years since I started here, yet I’ve been unaware of the time flying past.

"Chart your own Course" is a reality at BCG. I had the opportunity to work in numerous sectors—including automotive, airlines, media, and fashion—before choosing to specialize in consumer goods. I have always been able to arrange my working time to make the most of the important moments in my private life. Also, I have experienced a true international career: after Paris, I spent a couple of years at BCG New York and then joined the new Johannesburg office.

These years have allowed me to hold different positions within BCG and today be the contact for managers from large international corporations, supervise teams of consultants, and play an active role in establishing the Johannesburg office. If I were offered the chance to do it all again, I would take it without hesitation!

Stefano joined the Paris office of BCG in 2001 after an internship as an associate.

He graduated from ESCP-EAP in 2001, where he specialized in finance.

BCG established the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Initiative as an important platform for internal networking and mentoring. I have been approached several times by new recruits who needed some orientation to the culture at BCG. It’s good for these new hires to know that there are gay people around and that there is someone to talk with about being “out,” both in the office and with clients.

Being openly gay has been a positive experience at BCG. I remember two occasions very clearly. One was in my early days with BCG, during a project event when I was chatting with one of our partners. He asked me whether I had a girlfriend, and I told him, “No, I have a boyfriend.” I got this astonished look, and he paused for just two seconds. Then he proceeded normally, and we talked about my boyfriend, as we would have if I had had a girlfriend.

The other occasion was during a feedback session with one of my consultants. He told me that he really appreciated my openness about being gay and said that it made him comfortable in working with me. He talked about a good friend of his who is not open in the workplace and who brings women to social functions. According to him, this deception made the friend inauthentic in personal conversations. At BCG, being gay is just another aspect of the diversity the company encourages.

Lars-Uwe studied business administration and economics in Germany, France, and the United States. He received a master’s degree in business administration from WHU Koblenz, Otto Beisheim Graduate School.

Before joining BCG, he trained as a banker at Commerzbank, Bremen, and served internships with Treuhandanstalt Berlin, the government agency that privatized East German industry; Dresdner Bank Tokyo in international finance; and  Balcke Dürr, Ratingen, in benchmarking and strategic and operational planning.

At BCG his focus has been on financial institutions, corporate finance, and strategy.

When I graduated from Bocconi University, I was looking for a stimulating job that would allow me to challenge my capabilities in a fast learning environment—joining BCG was the best way to achieve these objectives. Since joining BCG in 2007 I have realized that working with a firm with such a broad presence in every industry offers me endless chances to grow and develop my competencies and personality.

In my everyday job I am involved in supporting clients by developing their long-term strategy, and this is made possible by the fact that I am part of a team of skilled and smart people, with a strong international network, held together by a confident and optimistic firm culture. BCG has always been incredibly encouraging in supporting new directions I have wanted to take, and I am confident that it will keep on promoting my growth both as an individual and a professional.

Claudia holds a degree from Bocconi University and she is currently earning an MBA from INSEAD Singapore.

My decision to join BCG was driven mostly by the firm’s culture and the BCGers I met with throughout the recruiting process. Putting aside the pretty marketing material and the cocktail parties, at the end of the day, I asked myself, “Where will I be able to best develop my career and most enjoy doing so?” At BCG, I’ve found a diverse group of extremely smart and down-to-earth people who, from day one, gave me the feeling that part of their goal is to help me grow professionally toward achieving my personal goals.

I have worked with great teams and clients to solve complex business challenges and drive to significant impact. I have definitely grown professionally, and I’ve been exposed to many opportunities to continue growing.

Or joined BCG in 2006, and his work has focused primarily on financial services.

Before BCG, he was the director of product development at RepliWeb Inc., where he led a team developing the company's main software product. Or also served for six years in the Israeli Air Force.

He holds an MBA with honors in finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton Business School and a BSc in computer science and management from Tel-Aviv University.

During my first year of university, where I studied Industrial Engineering and Management, I discovered I really enjoyed the quantitative modeling of business problems.

I chose to specialize in Operations Research, as the combination of structured thinking and numbers attracted me.

Today, in my job as a consultant, BCG gives me the opportunity to use these aspects of my studies, working a very data-driven way, substantiating our advice to clients with solid quantitative analysis wherever possible.

However, BCG offers me much more than that: the opportunity to work with demanding client teams, which develops different skills, and most importantly, the opportunity to work in an inspiring and fun environment with great colleagues. 

Marieke studied Industrial Engineering and Management at the Twente University, where she specialized in Logistics and Operations Research.

Marieke joined the Amsterdam office as an associate in May 2006.

I came to BCG after working for a competing firm for nearly 20 years.

Why did I join? I joined because BCG provides an unparalleled platform that enables consultants to make a real difference to their clients, and to themselves—values that BCG holds firm to its heart.

The deep experience within the company and extensive learning opportunities combine to create the unique environment that enables consultants to develop into highly effective business leaders. Since joining BCG, I continue to be impressed by the quality and caliber of my colleagues, their passion to do the right thing for our clients, and the business success stories we are creating.

Tony joined BCG from another consulting firm where he headed up the Telecom practice in Asia.

He has lived in Asia since 1993 and has advised more than 20 fixed and mobile operators across ten countries: working with clients on growth and marketing strategies, market entry, corporate strategy, mergers and acquisitions, process re-engineering, and organizational development.

Tony has an MA in engineering from Cambridge University.

Since joining BCG I have had a multitude of interesting, challenging opportunities. I have worked in almost a dozen countries across all the major continents on topics from exporting wine to developing rail infrastructure. Outside of casework I run the Operations Practice Area for Australia and New Zealand, which means I get to drive the business forward as part of the wider Asia Pacific and global leadership teams.

Managing work-life balance is always tough for ambitious people, but BCG's respect for individuals makes it possible. I manage to see my family regularly during the week and I rarely work at the weekends. Having a career that constantly opens up new opportunities AND a family life seems like a great deal to me!