How Phoebe, an MPA Graduate, Found Purpose and Impact at Bain

I’m originally from the US and moved to London for my Master of Public Administration. Outside of work, I spend as much time outdoors as I can cycling, running, hiking, you name it! I’m also actively involved in my church community.

I never planned on consulting — I was originally aiming for a career in government or the nonprofit sector. But after attending the True North Scholarship for Women, I became interested. The workshops showed me how passionate Bainies are about their work, the range of skills you can build, and the potential to create real social impact through consulting at Bain.

The policy-making skills I developed during my MPA closely align with what we do at Bain. Both involve in-depth research and turning insights into practical, actionable recommendations.

I received a lot of encouragement and mentorship from current Bainies before I joined, which made a big difference. I also came in knowing that being eager to learn and bringing positive energy are two of the most important qualities — and those were things I felt confident I could offer.

I first learned about Bain’s social impact work through the True North Scholarship and knew right away it was something I wanted to be part of. In my first year, I’ve already worked on a strategy project with an NGO focused on ending child hunger, and with one of England’s largest multi-academy trusts to improve GCSE outcomes.

My day kicks off with a team meeting to align on priorities. After that, I usually split my time between collaborating on slides for client presentations, running analysis in Excel, doing desk research, and meeting with partners or clients. No two days are the same, which keeps things exciting.

Practice cases with a buddy or friend when you can and remember to have confidence in yourself!