Joining BCG is one of my biggest regrets in life. There were other options and with the benefit of hindsight I chose the wrong option. It is very political and poorly managed and the apprenticeship

The recuiting does make it seem like you're going to save the orphans and solve climate change on day one. Can be a letdown do spend time on DD or PMI. There's a bit of overhyping, but do you have a real grass is greener situation?

The apprenticeship model has gone by the wayside as we chase growth at all costs. Really difficult to have both. Culture has changed a lot in last 5 years. There are still about 30% of leaders that believe in the old model, I’m lucky to be with one of them, but hard to join those teams - since everyone’s trying.

Model is a bait and switch marketing tool today. So many people are deceived into believing the rosy image recruiting conveys

^ paid shills through HR. No joke. Trained to treat anybody who doesn’t think BCG is the best as delusional or an underperformer

For strategy consulting, keep in mind, that for every 100 that start on the journey to become strategists, ultimately only 2 or 3 will make Partner:

30% will find that this job it is not a good fit.
30% cant sustain or don’t want to sustain the lifestyle.
30% can’t do the job or don’t grow with the roles of the job.
And the final 7%-8% will find that timing and politics get in the way.

You can argue the mix of the percentages, but ultimately it won’t matter, only 2%-3% succeed.

The best companies do everything in their power to help the 97% that don’t succeed and I think MBB are pretty good at ensuring you have options. So make sure you communicate and work with your partners so they can help you with your next steps.

Definitely been there! Went to Accenture and hated it. Surprisingly, Deloitte took me back after 4 months. I am so grateful. 🙏

Sorry to hear OP. Could you elaborate on your situation so that others can learn? Which location, level and group?

Curious to know - how is their medtech practice?

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience OP. I have been hear 10 years and am very happy but I had close friends I started with who had terrible experiences as it seems you did and share your sentiments. The truth is although we’re generally a great place to work there will be exceptions to the rule - and as we’ve grown I do think we are challenged more often. People survey results are roughly constant in NY, with slight improvements over time for consulting staff - but I’d take that with a grain of salt. Ultimately this job comes down to finding the right path and people and if you don’t it isn’t much fun

I suspect the truth is: if you are a strong performer (which may not even mean you need to be better than 50% of other BCGers), then it’s a pretty great place to work. If, however you come in and within six months cannot get to a certain level of performance, yes, you will end up unhappy with your experience, be convinced you were treated unfairly, etc.

That’s too bad. Why do you feel like our apprenticeship model is broken? I had a great experience with that aspect, but understand that my experience isn’t everyone’s. And are you coming from undergrad / mba / or experienced hire? If the first, I recommend working elsewhere before making such statements. I worked in a few places before BCG, and while we have AFDs, this is the best run place I have seen of this size

OP, I was in the same boat as you. BCG was the biggest mistake in my life. But even then the outside world values BCG in your resume to a nauseating degree. I am sure the direction in which the company is headed, the fall is not that far ahead.

And the 7-8% you see above in Partner 1s stats is way higher. Probably 9 of the 10 BCGers I spoke to during my 1st year gave me a single piece of insider advice. Find the right set of people to work with.

But they also say that as a 1st year you will not have a lot of say in who you get staffed with - which makes it all a component of luck.

BCG seems to think that everyone who leaves or gets counselled out within a year are not "consulting material". But majority of those folks probably ended up being staffed with terrible P/ PL groups that do not mentor and believe that folks should come with everything that the job requires.

And worst of all, the culture makes you fear to speak up. If you spoke up the P screws you in your ratings. And upward feedback barely has an impact on the Ps career. But even a single below average downward feedback can mess up your tenure.

Joining BCG almost literally the best thing to happen to me 🤷‍♂️ - no idea what people saying about “culture has changed,” and I found it to be somewhat political but definitely well managed

Yes I should move on. That’s the common refrain said to all of the people who post that they aren’t loving the BCG experience (in the BCG bowl). The exit opportunities are really unimpressive though. Not very different from joining a Fortune 500 or FANG directly and in many cases far worse

@OP

Sounds like you need to seek more fulfilling opportunities elsewhere; whatever that means for you personally.

Your view on the BCG decision may change as you go through recruiting and move to a different role; the BCG brand is VERY respected externally and having it on your resume will open a lot of doors.

It won’t change how you experienced being employed at BCG, but it may shift your perception of the overall value of the decision to join.

Good luck; reach out if you need someone to lend an ear.

In fairness, I think it’s a tough transition to any new firm. Maybe give it some time and seek out different sponsors?

OP if you think HR has that much power or influence you’re wrong. I acknowledge your experience and know that others have had bad experiences but ultimately you’re one person and everyone’s different POVs are valid.

My takeaway from this thread: OP and replies drive home the idea that we may love (or hate) our experiences at these firms but we gotta remember not to confuse our individual identity/personal brand with our company brand. I like my company but I don’t bleed green (dot) - I bleed my own blood. And remember we are all employee IDs on an HR spreadsheet when it comes time for layoffs.

I feel you, I’m leaving BCG, certainly is not perfect and what you say is true but it was an awesome experience, people need to understand there is no perfect job or perfect company, also they have outstanding exit options, I don’t understand the regrets.

Hey OP I agree. I thoroughly regret taking this job. My role was nothing like I would told it would be, and the management is extremely political and corrupt in ways I wouldn’t have expected from a brand like this. I see this as a scar on my resume.

I’m in wonder they turned out as they did.

Same story everywhere in expensive management consulting firms. The pressure to deliver is extremely high.