After leaving Wharton I was determined to get frontline business experience at a ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ industrial company. While working with salesmen and field engineers, and trying to apply the basics of sound financial and strategic management, I definitely got what I was looking for.

However, after a time I started to miss the intellectual challenge, the constant search for the next ‘why?’, and the great pleasure of achievement through teamwork and real client partnership. From the first moment, BCG felt like the kind of place that could offer that, and more: the people, the professional atmosphere, the room to grow.

My experience up to now has always been extremely rewarding. And it is getting even more exciting, especially now that I am moving into a true, trusted advisor position with some senior executives. This feels like the BCG team has a seat at the management table, is a part of their team and can really help steer a company in a completely new direction.

Although working against deadlines sometimes means long hours, there are two words that describe why BCG continues to be the perfect environment for my professional and personal development: results and fun.

Huib graduated with honours from Nijenrode Business School (BBA) in 1988 and Wharton (MBA) in 1992.

After working as divisional controller for Honeywell, he started with BCG in 1995 and currently holds the position of senior partner.

After nearly 11 years at Shell I decided it was time for a change and BCG provided me with that opportunity. I knew BCG from a traineeship I did many years back and the thing that struck me most when I interviewed for a job was that the atmosphere in the office had remained unchanged, while the office had grown by a factor of 6 in the meantime.

Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to run many cases for different clients, predominantly in the energy industry. Two projects stand out for me. The first is a war game we organized for a large oil and gas multinational. The game simulated the development of European gas supply into Europe until 2020. It is amazing how real the game now seems. Many developments and deals during the game are indeed happening in real life today.

The second project stands out because of the impact it generated in a relatively short period. Over four weeks we advised a water company on its strategy in a consolidating market. The impact was high because we managed to convince the client to follow a very different strategy which really changed its trajectory.

Aside from delivering value to our clients, BCG has been a great contributor to my personal growth. With help from BCG I really learned how to manage time more effectively and therefore improve the quality of my own life. Last but not least, BCG is a fun place to work, which makes it all the more exciting.

Before joining BCG Rutger worked for 11 years for the Royal Dutch/Shell Group in the Netherlands, Australia and Morocco.

Rutger has a degree in business administration from the University of Groningen.

After graduating I worked for Shell and Sara Lee in several jobs that were financial or economics focused, but always close to the commercial action. In my last job, for example, I was controller at a business unit of Sara Lee, supplying coffee and tea to the Dutch Out of Home Leisure market. I came to BCG because I liked the idea of exploring new businesses and problems, and at the same time still having real impact. My first cases at BCG gave me exactly that experience: from strategic planning in the automotive industry to building a new department at a health care fund to improve their financial performance, the work was diverse and result-driven.

I discovered that the cases that satisfy me most are those when I work closely with clients to solve a problem that is critical to them. The projects we do are often an opportunity to break through barriers: getting the information or cooperation that wasn’t available before. The energy that comes with these kinds of processes really is addictive, as is the appreciation you get. Seeing the results of your work in the newspapers is nice, but people actually calling you up and telling you about it is even nicer!

Mark is an experienced member of both the Financial Services and Heath Care practices.

Before joining the firm, Mark worked in the Commercial Finance department for Royal Dutch Shell in Downstream Oil (Marketing and Sales), and also for Sara Lee Douwe Egberts.

Mark received his MA in Business and Management from the University of Groningen and his MBA from Western Washington University.

Why did I join BCG after university and return after my MBA?

I believe three factors made it an easy choice for me. The feeling that BCG would offer me an unparalleled learning opportunity, both on an intellectual and on an interpersonal level, was an initial draw. Second, as BCG puts a strong emphasis on interpersonal skills in its recruiting I believe we can work much better together with our clients than most of our competitors, and can therefore accomplish exceptional impact. Third, because of my colleagues. They are without any doubt among the most inspiring people I have met in my life and they always make me feel at home in our office.

Erik joined BCG in 2000. During that time he has worked for banks, insurance firms, utilities, pharmaceutical and e-commerce companies on a wide range of topics including strategy and business development, restructuring, turn-around management and mergers and acquisitions.

From 2003-2004, and sponsored by BCG, he earned his MBA at INSEAD in Fontainebleau and Singapore.

Before joining BCG Erik studied industrial engineering and management at the University of Twente.

Having just graduated from university, I was not sure whether to go for strategy consulting or for a management traineeship. The best advice I got was, ”Check out the lunch and see where you enjoy yourself best".

After a couple of lunches, I started at BCG in January 2006 and worked in several industries.

During every case I find it interesting to solve the client’s largest problems together with them, based on intellectual insights, people skills and teamwork.

After almost 3 years at BCG, I can really underline the advice I got. It gives me a kick to crack difficult problems and I can get very motivated when I convince the client to go a certain way. However, if you’re stuck on a complex problem or it is just not your day, it is even more motivating to have colleagues to help you or at least help laugh your day away.

Patrice holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management Science from the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (cum laude).

Within her studies, she specialized in logistics. In this area she conducted a research study at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Her final thesis took place within the main European factory of JohnsonDiversey.

Before I joined BCG I really enjoyed my four-year PhD— contributing to innovative research, setting your own plans, and cracking puzzles. However, my PhD also made me realize that as well as the intellectual challenge, I also wanted to work in teams more often, have more impact, and face more diversity in projects. This and the social click with the people I met during the interviews, made me decide to join BCG.  Even my biggest worry, the continuous performance checking enhancing a competitive atmosphere, turned out to be unfounded; people at BCG are really open about their development points and help each other to achieve their goals. Personally, it reassures me to know where I stand so that I can focus on my development to further boost my personal growth.

Thijs holds a Master’s in Applied Physics from the Delft University, and a Phd in Physics from the University of Leiden. He joined BCG in April 2007.