From Hackathon Participant to Visiting Associate: A Journey Fueled by Curiosity
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Over the past seven years, BCG Platinion has invited students and young professionals from around the world to its annual Hackathon. Thea Ettel is one of several former participants — today, she's a Visiting Associate in our Frankfurt office. Read her story, in her own words:
When my sister encouraged me to apply for the BCG Platinion Hackathon, her argument was simple: "You'll have fun." At first, I was unsure. My background is in cognitive science, a mix of psychology and computer science with a focus on AI, and I assumed I'd be surrounded by people with far stronger technical expertise. I thought I would spend the weekend completely overwhelmed, trying to keep up while learning as much as possible. What I didn't expect was how quickly I would feel like part of the team.
What stood out most was the atmosphere. Consultants, architects, and Hackathon participants all worked side by side until late into the night. There was no hierarchy, just people who genuinely wanted to solve an interesting problem together. I still remember the endless supply of energy drinks and food, but more than that, I remember the inspiring conversations, the diversity of backgrounds, and the incredible motivation that everyone brought to the table.
"The Hackathon wasn't about proving that you knew everything. It was about learning together and building something meaningful."
Thea Ettel, Visiting Associate in Frankfurt
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Our team developed an application that distributed AI workloads across data centers based on the availability of renewable energy at each location. We even used Raspberry Pis and sensors to simulate the system. Since we didn't have a dedicated frontend developer, I volunteered to build the user interface. I spent time teaching myself and created the application's interface, including the AI chatbot through which prompts were distributed.
Beyond the technical work, I also learned how important collaboration is. During the first few hours, our team was still figuring out how to work together. Everyone had just come out of university and was adjusting to collaborating in a fast-paced environment. I made a conscious effort to connect, understand what they were working on, and offer support wherever I could. Looking back, I believe that mindset, along with our second-place finish, played an important role in receiving an offer.
Today, not much has changed from what I experienced during the Hackathon. I still work in a highly motivated team that challenges and supports me every day. My work involves client meetings, workshops, and, of course, plenty of PowerPoint and Excel. The workload is demanding, but I always feel valued, trusted, and treated as an equal. Most importantly, there isn't a single day where we don't end up laughing until we have tears in our eyes.
If you're considering applying, don't overthink it. Your background matters far less than your curiosity, your willingness to learn, and your ability to work with others. I joined with zero expectations and simply wanted to enjoy the experience. That one weekend turned into an internship — and an opportunity I never expected. Sometimes, all it takes is saying yes.
As we prepare for the BCG Platinion Hackathon 2026, we look forward to seeing the ideas participants will bring to the table. This year's theme invites teams to tackle one of humanity's most urgent challenges: Fighting World Hunger.
Applications are now open. Apply here.
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