Rachel Butler

Share your journey to Bain.

I was in the co-op program at the University of Waterloo, which gave me 6 opportunities to try 6 different careers before I graduated. My first co-op was at a boutique consulting firm in Ottawa and I really enjoyed the glimpse into consulting it gave me. I tried out a few other things over the course of my co-op timeline, including private equity, accounting, and project management, and came back to consulting as a Bain ACI my last summer before graduating.

Do you feel like you can do impactful work at Bain? What opportunities excite you?

Absolutely! Not only do I get to work alongside some of the brightest people I’ve ever met, but we are working on super interesting problems. Many cases are shaped around core questions on C-suite executives’ minds as they guide their businesses through the next era. The answers we find will not only affect their businesses and industries, but even shape the world we live in.

For example, my first case at Bain was a revenue full potential growth strategy for a major North American airline. As a frequent flyer myself, we were answering some questions that I had always wondered about as I crossed the tarmac, and it was really cool to know that every decision we were making would have an impact on not only this airline, but the millions of passengers they carry around the globe each year.

What should candidates know?

One thing I truly didn’t expect is how much of an ecosystem Bain is. The amount of investment you get from your colleagues is unparalleled, both in terms of skill and leadership development. A typical tenure at Bain will involve working with many different people, and it teaches you firsthand that there isn't just one type of leader, one type of working style, or one ‘right’ way to think. You get exposed to many different versions of excellence, each with their own strengths, and get to adopt the best parts as what works for you. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet Bainies from all over the world through training and case work, which is eye-opening and leads to some pretty long-lasting and impactful relationships.