How to Start a Career in Strategic Consulting: BCG Insights from ESCP Alumna

“Purpose gives you resilience. Curiosity keeps you growing” — Benedetta Joppolo, Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group

What does it take to thrive in strategic consulting? Benedetta Joppolo, Project Leader at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and ESCP alumna, in this interview, part of The Career Hack series — an initiative by the Careers Centre team at ESCP Business School Turin — shares her personal insights from nearly a decade in the field. Drawing on her experience across international teams and high-impact strategy projects, she reflects on the mindset, skills and values that drive long-term success at firms like BCG. From what to expect in your first year as a consultant to how to stay fulfilled in a demanding career path, Benedetta offers clear, honest advice for students aspiring to enter the world of top-tier consulting.

How Purpose and Mindset Drive a Successful Career in Strategic Consulting

What’s the motto that has guided your career path in consulting, and why? 

If I had to summarize my journey in one word, it would be commitment. From day one, I’ve believed that true impact in consulting comes from showing up fully — for your clients, your teams, and yourself. Commitment means embracing challenges with energy and curiosity, even when the path isn’t easy. It’s what has driven me through every project and every new context, from my very first case to today.

If you had to describe strategic consulting in just one word, which would you choose, and why?

Transformation. Consulting is about transforming problems into opportunities — for clients, but also for yourself. Every project pushes you to rethink assumptions, learn something new, and adapt at speed. That constant evolution is what makes this profession so unique and fulfilling. I’ve been in BCG for almost 8 years now, and I truly believe that all the challenges and “first times” I have faced since day one have shaped the human and professional I am now.

Essential Skills and Tools to Start Your Strategy Consulting Career

Which skills are absolutely essential to get hired in strategic consulting, and which ones do you mostly develop on the job?

To start, analytical thinking and structured problem-solving are key — they help you bring clarity to complex issues. But once you’re in, you quickly realise that the “human” skills matter just as much: listening, resilience, empathy, and adaptability. You also build deep industry experience along the way. I came from a completely different background — during ESCP I did internships in fashion & luxury and venture capital — and today I work with Industrial Goods teams on vertical projects. Those perspectives are shaped on the job.

What’s one methodology, tool, or approach you believe every future consultant should be familiar with before entering the field?

Having data to support your hypotheses is essential. Facts and evidence ground your thinking and make your recommendations credible. In this, the set of tools we use at BCG — together with the new frontiers opened by GenAI — are an incredible accelerator for analysis. They help us process information faster and more precisely, while keeping our approach deeply human-centric.

Thriving as a Strategy Consultant: Lessons and Advice

Looking back at your client and team experiences, what’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from working in such a fast-paced and diverse environment?  

That diversity of perspective is a superpower — but it requires humility to harness it. Working in different countries, from M&A projects in China just after graduating from ESCP to plant visits in India and the Middle East, taught me that there’s no single way to solve a problem. Listening deeply, adapting fast, and trusting your team’s strengths make all the difference.

Imagine it’s your very first year as a consultant: what are the key “to-dos”, and what are the absolute “don’ts”? 

To-dos: Be curious, ask questions, and take ownership early — even of the smallest tasks. Build relationships, because consulting is a team sport.

Don’ts: Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or to admit you don’t know something. The only real mistake is not asking for help. Growth in consulting happens outside your comfort zone.

Work–Life Balance and Long-Term Growth at BCG

Work–life balance is a big topic for students: what does it realistically look like in consulting, and how do you personally manage it? 

Consulting can be intense — that’s no secret. But balance isn’t about counting hours; it’s about being intentional with your energy. For me, it’s meant setting boundaries, prioritising what matters, and learning to recharge effectively. BCG’s culture supports that: in recent years, many initiatives have been launched to improve sustainability and well-being, such as Cool Down Days and Flex Time programmes. You’re surrounded by people who genuinely care about long-term balance and fulfilment.

Finally, in your view, what does it truly take to build a long-term and fulfilling career in strategic consulting?

A mix of purpose and curiosity. Purpose gives you the resilience to face challenges; curiosity keeps you growing and reinventing yourself. Over eight years, I’ve learned that consulting is not just about delivering results — it’s about shaping your own path, continuously learning, and finding meaning in the impact you create for others.

Benedetta Joppolo’s insights highlight that success in strategic consulting goes far beyond technical skill. It takes resilience, openness and a passion for growth. Whether you're preparing to join a top consulting firm or advancing your career, her story is a clear reminder that consulting rewards those who stay curious, think strategically, and consistently create value — for their clients, their teams and their own development.