I’m Matt, a Senior Associate Consultant at Bain. I’ve lived in 6 countries and moved to the UK aged 11. I studied Land Economy at Pembroke College Cambridge, and in my free time I love to cook, play football and travel.
Why did you choose consulting as a career path, and what drew you to Bain?
I chose a career in consulting attracted by the varied nature of work, both within and across projects, and the associated steep learning curve. With Bain, it was my positive experiences with the people and culture that really drew me in.
In what ways did your experience with a TNS mentor support you during the application process?
My experience with a TNS mentor was invaluable in helping me prepare for the consulting process. Sessions with my mentor were crucial for learning the technical side of casing, but also helped me understand key aspects of the business and Bain. It was great to have a familiar face once I joined, and my mentor was really helpful supporting me through my start at Bain.
What has been a highlight of acting as a TNS buddy for others going through the application process?
Watching mentees improve their casing and grow in confidence through the mentor process is a real highlight! It’s amazing to see mentees solving problems with a smile towards the end of the TNS buddy programme.
What skills or experiences from your background have helped you succeed at Bain?
Communication skills and teamwork skills, developed through my participation in team sports and captaining the Blues football team at Cambridge, are crucial skills for a consultant particularly when you first join. I think a willingness to learn and ability to adapt to new information are also key!
What’s a project you’ve worked on that you’ve found especially interesting or rewarding?
I recently worked on a project aimed at driving efficiency improvements on a major infrastructure project for a defence company. Being truly immersed within the company, working directly with so many clients and seeing the tangible impact of our work was particularly rewarding.
What advice would you give someone preparing for the application process?
Making sure to spend enough time casing is obviously crucial but beyond this, taking time to really understand the industry and the company you are applying for will both help you with your casing / personality interviews and set you up for when you join!