How I Spent My Summer: Mafer Bohorquez 2Y '26, Boston Consulting Group Intern

Mafer Bohorquez 2Y '26

Like  a lot of us, I came to Kellogg with more questions than answers about my career. I  wasn’t tied to a path, or even a zip code. As an international student from Peru, I had already taken a bit of a “choose your own adventure tour ” through CPG, telecommunications, and tech.  Consulting sounded interesting, but so did about ten other things on any given Tuesday. Fast forward through a mix of ups and downs (and a few funny twists of fate), I ended up in what I consider the best city in the world (yes, I’m biased—and yes, you probably guessed I mean New York City, even if you disagree), working at Boston Consulting Group (BCG) out of the New Jersey office. Saying yes to that role turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made in years.

Now, to be brutally honest: everything you’ve heard about consulting is probably true. The hours can be intense (though, I’ll brag, not quite as brutal as some other firms). You’re often on call for your manager, and priorities can shift astonishingly fast. That said, I walked into the summer with eyes wide open, and setting realistic expectations made all the difference.

Some of my biggest takeaways from the summer?

• Luck is underrated. From recruiting to staffing, chance plays a bigger role than anyone admits . Finding a team, and especially a manager, willing to teach and invest in you can make or break the experience.

• But Preparation creates luck. As the saying goes, “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” The more you prepare—tactically, professionally, and mentally—the more you can turn chance into growth.

• Be flexible.  You may not get the “sexiest” industry or project, but if your team (particularly your manager) is good, you’ll still have an awesome experience. In consulting, you can usually only optimize for two of three: location/travel, industry, or people. Always choose people. Go in with a positive attitude and an open mind about what you might enjoy.

• Feedback is a gift. Consulting thrives on constant feedback loops. At first, weekly sessions feel uncomfortable, but if you listen and adapt quickly, you’ll grow at a pace that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. And remember—feedback goes both ways.

• Networking Never Ends. Building connections with people doing work that interests you is crucial. In full-time consulting, you often network your way into cases, so start early. And don’t forget: the people you met during recruiting will continue to be an invaluable resource.

• Community matters. Having peers to share the highs and lows with (and maybe grab a late-night snack when you’re stuck at the office) makes the ride more fun—and sustainable.
  

So if you’re considering consulting, my advice is this: be clear with yourself about what you want to learn, go in prepared for the pace, and stay open to serendipity. Consulting isn’t for everyone, but if you’re curious, resilient, and up for a challenge, it can be one of the most rewarding summers you’ll have.

Read how other Kellogg students spent their summers:

Sonal Shenoy, Google PgM Drew Kollmeyer, Molson Coors