How does BCG project travel work?
What's the post-COVID travel situation like at BCG right now? Specifically:
- How often are you flying? (I assume this varies, so also looking for the typical range here)
- When do you leave/come back when you fly?
- Can you request projects that will involve flying to certain destinations?
Other logistical questions:
- How does it work if you want to stay in a city you've travelled to a little longer/over the weekend to explore/meet up with people? Visit family back home? (ie. how does the "in lieu" policy work and how often do you get to use it?)
- Are all meals reimbursed while travelling?
- Personal question: How do you take care of your pet while away on travel? Are people paying for petsitters?
Thanks in advance!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here's what you need to know about BCG project travel and the post-COVID travel situation:
Travel Frequency and Logistics at BCG:
Additional Logistical Information:
For more detailed insights, you can refer to the WSO forum discussions on consulting travel and logistics.
Sources: What’s the difference between McK, Bain & BCG (serious question), Q&A - Leaving Deloitte Strategy Consulting After 2 Years, How much travel is there in Venture Capital?, Received offers from all three MBB firms and don't know what to do, Why Consulting - Answering the Interview Question
I'm at a different MBB but have many close friends at BCG.
Friends seem to travel extremely often (mon-thurs) either every week or other week when on travel cases. Pretty much back to business as usual.
At my firm, if you travel mon-thurs/fri, you can often request to stay over the weekend instead of flying back and forth (if your team would be returning the following week).
You can request available cases staffing up that are traveling to certain locations, but you wouldn't request by location (hope that makes sense).
All meals are covered during travel. BCG is actually extremely generous about this compared to my firm and aren't nearly as stringent about what can be expensed, amounts, receipts, etc. You'll be well taken care of during any travel.
If you're performing well, you can also swing some asks. One of my friends was recently approved to get a nice airbnb (on the beach in California) and flight tickets for his wife to stay with him during a few weeks of the case.
Pets are left with friends who are on the beach or people just pay to have them boarded.
Do you have any insight on what it's like for interns?
Exact same for interns. The expensing is treated the exact same way, so you would have all of the same benefits / policies. You'd probably actually even get away with a lot more, as we try to show interns a fun time. (Still wouldn't push it too far)
Exactly how it was during my time as an intern. Great hotels, meals, team events, etc.
Out of curiosity, how free are your weekends? How are hours? Common wisdom on this forum is 50-60 hours per week and absolutely no weekend work, but wondering if that’s changed with how much pressure the consulting biz is under atm.
Weekends are completely free until manager, where you'll likely do some work voluntarily just to get set up for the week ahead. Hours are very dependent on case, team, and client.
A really good week on a revenue driving case would be less than 50 hours. A bad week on a PE DD with a hard client and inefficient team / leadership can be upwards of 80 hours. Neither of these happens very often.
Usually you'll be looking at around 60 hours until manager level, which does see a significant ramp-up through AP. This doesn't count the travel time, however, which can cut into your personal time tremendously.
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