What is BCG Looking for in Associates?

Graduates with an outstanding undergraduate record but with limited business experience join as Associates. Our Associates have backgrounds in a wide variety of disciplines, including arts, commerce, engineering, law, medicine, science, architecture, geography, genetics, politics and history. What they have in common are academic results in the top 5-10% of their year, work experience and extra-curricular activities that indicate drive and motivation, superior communication and analytical skills, and the will to succeed.

Associates learn very quickly in the BCG environment. We provide intensive training in the application of key business concepts and also help to develop communication and presentation skills. It is not always easy, but it is extremely rewarding. Some of the typical responsibilities of Associates include:

• Analysing data
• Preparing materials to communicate the results of this analysis
• Researching industry or company trends
• Discussing ideas, the logic of the results, and the progress of a project in internal team meetings and with clients

Our Associates gain a wealth of experience with many clients and industries and may spend time in one or more of our offices around the world or on secondment to a client organisation. Typically, outstanding Associates are promoted to Senior Associate after two years before having the opportunity to do an MBA at a leading international business school, often sponsored by BCG. Upon return from business school, they will be promoted to Consultant, although an MBA is by no means compulsory.

There are also opportunities for a secondment, i.e. a 12 month assignment working at the offices of a BCG client in either the for-profit or non-profit sectors. This develops a deeper understanding of the challenges clients face, particularly regarding implementing change.

For those with outstanding postgraduate qualifications but without a great deal of direct business experience, we may hire you directly into our Senior Associate Program. Each Senior Associate undertakes a training and development program that is tailored to his or her individual needs.