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BCG has helped me throughout my different life stages to be challenged and continue to grow while balancing my needs outside work.

Jane
Principal, Sydney

A Personal Story

Over the 12 years since I joined the company, BCG has worked with me throughout my different life stages to help me excel, be challenged and continue to grow while balancing my needs outside work.

I joined BCG straight out of an undergraduate engineering degree and after three exciting years in the Sydney office I wanted to get some international non-consulting experience. BCG supported me in taking up an interesting position with British Airways in London for a year.

After finishing my MBA at Harvard Business School, BCG supported my transfer to the New York office – and then several years later supported my return back to Sydney with my family.

When my first (and then my second and third) child was born I wanted to work part-time while continuing to contribute successfully as a consultant. BCG supported me, and together over the years we have explored several different part time models to best work in with my clients’ needs as well as my home life.

Background

Jane graduated from the University of Sydney in 1996 with a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical), and received her MBA from Harvard Business School. She joined BCG in 1997.

What has surprised me most has been the real flexibility I have had in managing my career and being a mum to two energetic little boys.

Anna
Principal, Sydney

A Personal Story

I joined BCG as a fresh-faced undergraduate not really sure what consultants do! I was attracted by the idea of constantly having new experiences–whether it was through the clients I would work with, the problems we would tackle or the cities I would work in. Eight years down the track, BCG has delivered this–and more. What surprised me most has been the real flexibility I have had in managing my career and being a mum to two energetic little boys. For the past three years BCG supported me working part-time and enabled me to minimize the travel required. While it is a juggle, for me it is important to get time at home with my children whilst I continue to develop my career. Having a good network of other working mothers has been valuable support for me. In addition to fascinating local case work, I’ve experienced an 18-month secondment at a subscription television company and worked in London. I’ve been able to steer my career into industries I am passionate about, especially media, and I am still excited and inspired with the talented colleagues and clients I get to work with.

Background

Anna graduated from the University of Technology, Sydney with a Bachelor of Business with Distinction. She joined BCG in 2000.

The intensive time I spent with my daughter is the basis for my strong relationship with her.

Thomas
Project Leader, Düsseldorf

A Personal Story

The birth of my daughter in July, 2005 changed my life in many ways. I planned and took a three-month leave of absence beginning in April, 2006 to coincide with the time my wife returned to work after her maternity leave.

At the beginning of my time away from work, the challenges in my life and the daily schedule suddenly changed significantly—from client meetings, workshops, and phone calls to playgroups, preparation of meals, and “scream-driven night-missions.” With my wife’s flexible working hours and my leave of absence, we were able to go on holidays as a threesome for the first time.

Most of my friends really envied me for being able to take a leave for three months. From my point of view, the intensive time with my daughter is the basis for my strong relationship with her—today she can definitely be characterized as a “Daddy’s girl.”

In December 2007, my son was born, and I am really looking forward to spending some months with him as well, beginning in December 2008, when my wife returns to work.

Background

Thomas studied electrical engineering at RWTH Aachen University, where he worked as a research assistant in technical computer science and obtained a doctor of engineering degree. He joined BCG in 2003. At BCG he focuses on information technology and telecommunications cases.

I truly value the many options BCG continues to give me; only time will tell which path I take next.

Natasha
Learning & Development Manager, Sydney

A Personal Story

While I have been fortunate enough to work with a huge array of clients and projects during my four years' consulting – from banking in Toronto to mining in Brisbane – the real display of BCG's flexibility came when I returned from leave after the birth of my daughter in 2007. After six months more of project work, I decided I wanted to travel less and be more in control of my workload. I am loving the role of Learning & Development Manager that I have stepped into. I work four days a week, travel a lot less (but enough to keep me interested!) and have a huge degree of autonomy. My work now is challenging in ways I hadn't even considered and I am developing skills I will take with me wherever I go. I truly value the many options BCG continues to give me; only time will tell which path I take next.

Background

Natasha holds a Bachelor of Economics from Sydney University and an MBA from the Australian school of management. She joined BCG in 2002