There is no doubt that the analytical tool kit you develop at BCG is incredibly valuable and one that I use every day. For me though, the biggest benefit from working at BCG is a sense of being able to take on the 'impossible'. The amount, quality and speed of analysis and output I achieved there was so high that since working at BCG I do not put any boundaries on what I believe I am capable of. This belief has been a great asset in taking on new challenges, whether in my career or in adventures. I couldn’t imagine rowing across the Atlantic or trekking unsupported to the South Pole without the sense of confidence BCG gave me.

The other bonus is the quality of the people that you work with. BCG does an exceptional job of selecting outstanding and talented individuals. Spending time with them was continually stimulating, and has given me a great network I continue to be part of. Whenever I meet someone who has the opportunity to work at BCG I tell them to grab it with both hands and make the most of it.

Kevin was a consultant with the Auckland office of BCG from 1997-2001.

He has a bachelor degree in physics from Auckland University and a Master's degree in Environmental Development from the University of Cambridge.

Before working with BCG he held roles in the Ministry of Commerce and the International Economics group of The Treasury.

After leaving BCG, Kevin took part in the 2003 Trans-Atlantic Rowing Race, eventually winning the race and setting a new world record. In 2007, he became one of the few people to complete an unsupported trek to the South Pole. His first book "The Oarsome Adventures of a Fat Boy Rower" was released last year.

He is currently the CEO of Performance Lab Technology, a software start-up that develops exercise interpretation software, and is working on his second book.

I spent 13 years at BCG, from 1993 to 2006, and held several roles in the company, finishing as human resources director and general manager.

BCG prepared me in so many ways for my current role. I learned rigorous problem-solving, sophisticated stakeholder management skills, the ability to present complex material simply and compellingly, and the capacity to juggle a large workload and tight deadlines. In addition, I emerged from BCG with strong values, a dedication to client service, and first-hand experience as to how a very successful professional services firm aligns every aspect of its operations with its strong vision for success.

I think BCG provides you with a solid grounding in how to solve problems in a team environment. You learn how to respect people's contributions regardless of seniority, how to accept that your ideas can and should be pulled apart and examined, how to hypothesize answers based on common sense and available data, and finally how to push for the best and most elegant solution at all times and never accept second-best.

If I was to tell someone considering a career with BCG one thing, it would be that your time here will be a defining experience, and you will learn valuable skills faster and more deeply than in other career opportunities.

I worked at BCG from 1997 to 2005; my final role was as a principal in the Paris office. At BCG, I was able to develop skills that included fact-based decision making, influencing others to take action, and being mindful of change management. I learned to be prepared for the unexpected and to adapt to various situations, industries, and cultures. This helped me when I left BCG in Paris to go and work for a truly Australian company in Sydney.

If you are considering becoming a BCG consultant, you should first of all make sure management consulting is right for you, and make sure that BCG is the right organization for you. If you’re willing to develop your problem-solving skills while dealing with truly exciting challenges, and willing to learn to communicate clearly and concisely and make an impact while advising leading organizations, then management consulting is probably a path you should consider. You should get a lot out of it as long as you’re willing to learn and invest the time.

BCG is certainly a place that will fulfill your highest expectations in terms of quality of experience and environment. Be guided by the people you meet to confirm it is the right organization for you. Culture has always been a key criterion when I selected the companies I worked for, and I was certainly convinced by the open, collaborative, and down-to-earth environment I found when I joined BCG.