An inside look at the Bain internship experience
An inside look at the Bain internship experience
A summer associate consultant intern from our Washington, DC office shares reflections from the program
Francesca, a student at the University of South Carolina, spent her summer at Bain as an Associate Consultant Intern (ACI) working on client projects, building strong connections, and picking up skills she’ll use well beyond the internship. In this Q&A, she shares what surprised her most, what a typical day really looks like, and her best advice for future interns.
Both the interview and internship showed me that building meaningful relationships matters just as much as showcasing your skills.
Francesca
Associate Consultant Intern
What drew you to apply for a Bain internship, and how did the recruiting and interview process go?
I applied for a Bain internship because it seemed like a great place for someone early-in-career to learn a significant amount about business, tactical skills, and life in general in a short amount of time, surrounded by similarly driven people. The recruiting and interview process was demanding in the level of preparation required but fulfilling.
Ultimately, I had fun with my interviewers throughout both the problem-solving elements and “get-to-know-you” conversations. The skills you build while casing carry directly into the internship, so if you’re enjoying the interview process, it’s a good sign you’ll thrive in and feel energized by the job.
Francesca typically starts her day with a coffee run, then heads to the office for a morning team sync to align on the day's priorities.
What was your experience like during the internship – what kinds of projects did you work on, and what did a typical day or week look like?
This summer I worked on three workstreams for an aerospace and defense case, focused on improving manufacturing and organizational efficiency while reducing program costs.
A typical day would include a morning meeting to align priorities for the day (which always includes a game for Team Fun; my team was partial to Tradle and Drawsaurus!), check-in with our leadership team to update them on recent progress, a client call, dedicated working time, and potentially a professional development or coffee chat. Each day brings something new, and the unpredictability is an aspect of what makes coming to work every day so exciting.
How would you describe the support, mentorship, or team culture you experienced at Bain?
There is a strong culture of personal and professional development at Bain. Throughout the summer, it has been clear that team members are genuine friends who work to support each other within the walls of the office and beyond. One moment that has stuck with me: while on maternity leave, one of my interviewers met me for coffee in the city. We talked for almost an hour about my experience thus far and her advice for the future, and I got to meet her baby boy!
Beyond these moments, little norms like Team Fun before every meeting and consistent professional development chats bring daily energy and make me excited to keep growing personally and as a teammate.
What was your biggest takeaway from the internship – personally or professionally?
The sustained level of accelerated growth that comes from constant change, in casework both thematically and day-to-day, makes this job truly worthwhile and an ideal place for someone just beginning their career. As an intern, nearly everything about the job is unfamiliar, and learning opportunities are apparent in every situation. However, there is also camaraderie in knowing that every individual in the office has development opportunities and is hungry to learn something new.
Interns gain experience working with teammates across levels while building connections through affinity group events.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for a Bain internship?
Bain doesn’t just want you to be a smart, motivated individual; Bain also wants you to be a well-rounded person. It’s important to prep for cases, but it’s equally important, if not more, to get to know people within the company and to be yourself during interviews. After all, these individuals have the potential to become friends, mentors, and managers one day; they are who you will learn from and grow alongside in your career.
One of my interviewers ended up being my senior manager, and two others have become mentors who I have kept in touch with for nearly a year now. Both the interview and internship showed me that building meaningful relationships matters just as much as showcasing your skills.
