During the recruiting process, I was paying special attention to the people I met at the different firms. While BCG people in general were a major draw for me, the BCG women I met made me especially hopeful about my future in the company. The women I met were smart, funny, down to earth, and ultimately "real". They talked to me about the challenges of maintaining a normal life while dealing with the demands of work. They were open to my questions, which they answered honestly, without worrying about political correctness. They saw me as a person and not a potential recruit, and I connected with them. I felt that I would enjoy working alongside these people on a daily basis and that I would want to spend my free time with them too.
 
Having now been with BCG for several years in two offices (New York and Moscow), I can say that my first impressions were correct. When you spend so much time at the client’s site or in the office, having people around you whose company you enjoy is critical to your well-being and the quality of your work. I've been continuously impressed by the women I've met and worked with at BCG. They range from partners with four kids to young associates just out of college, but the overall trait I find in BCG women is their ability to remain warm and balanced during the most difficult times. It is a trait that the BCG environment fosters and one that I want to retain throughout my time with the company.