Jess Thorne

Share your journey to Bain.

My path to Bain started in academia, where I completed a PhD in astrophysics. I loved the intellectual rigour and the challenge of solving hard problems, but over time I realized that the academia pathway wasn't for me long-term. Consulting hadn’t initially been on my radar, but as I explored post-PhD options, it became increasingly clear that the variety, impact and team-based nature of the work aligned with what I was looking for. I didn’t want to commit to one niche immediately, I wanted breadth, constant learning, and exposure to new challenges. That led me to Bain.

The work felt intellectually exciting, and the opportunity to collaborate with smart, kind and grounded people was exactly what I was after. Consulting has allowed me to apply the analytical mindset I developed in academia to real client problems, in an environment that values both excellence and empathy.

How did you know that Bain was the right company for you?

Bain stood out to me because of the people and the culture. Throughout the recruitment process, I felt genuinely valued and supported by the recruiting team, interviewers and even Bainies offering coffee chats. When I faced challenges, like dealing with time zone differences or even getting COVID, Bain’s team was flexible and accommodating. That personal touch made it clear Bain was the right fit for me, and I continue to see that same care and thoughtfulness in my day-to-day experience.

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

Absolutely. Impact at Bain shows up in many forms, big strategic decisions, major transformations, and small but meaningful changes that make people’s jobs easier. I’ve supported a company through a complex spin-off, helped a business refine its distribution strategy, and dived deep into enterprise technology to help organizations work smarter and more efficiently.

What excites me most are projects with clear, tangible outcomes, especially when they’re backed by strong analytical thinking. I love working with data, translating insights into strategy, and seeing that thinking play out in real decisions. It’s incredibly rewarding to know our work shapes the direction of an organization.

I’m also energized by the opportunity to work across different industries and capability areas. There’s always something new to learn, and Bain encourages you to follow your curiosity and stretch into new spaces.

“Build Your Own Bain” means creating a thriving career on your own terms. How have you been able to “Build Your Own Bain?”

One of the things I value most about Bain is how actively the firm encourages us to explore and shape our careers. I’ve worked across a wide range of industries—banking, telecommunications, food, mining, insurance—and expanded into capabilities like enterprise technology and procurement.

That opportunity to explore combined with real investment from mentors and teammates, has been fundamental in building a career that truly feels like my own.

What is the culture of the Perth office like? What made you choose this office?

The Perth office may be small in size, but it punches well above its weight in community. There’s a strong sense of connection and support—everyone knows your name, and no matter your tenure, you feel part of the conversation. I chose Perth because it’s home—I love the energy, beaches, and weather here. And thanks to Bain’s country-level staffing model, I’ve had exposure far beyond the local market, working across industries that extend well beyond mining and oil & gas.

Can you describe how your engineering/STEM education/background helps or bolsters your career at Bain?

My STEM background has been a major asset in consulting. The research mindset I developed during my PhD, breaking down problems, testing hypotheses, and iterating quickly, maps closely to the way we approach challenges at Bain.

I’m comfortable working with large data sets, and I enjoy building models, conducting analysis, and distilling insights into clear narratives. These were second nature in academia and have translated seamlessly to case work.

Beyond the technical skills, research taught me to manage projects, stay curious, deal with ambiguity, and communicate complex ideas simply. That last part, explaining nuance without oversimplifying, is a key consulting skill, and I credit my academic training for that strength.

How has Bain supported you in your career and helped you Be More?

Bain has helped me Be More Courageous. Coming from a technical background, I wasn’t sure how I’d fit into consulting – but from day one, I was encouraged to ask questions, back myself and lean into challenges.

I’ve been supported to grow in every meaningful way, technically, professionally, and personally. I’ve worked with incredible mentors and supervisors who’ve championed my development, taken on stretch roles that pushed me out of my comfort zone, and been trusted with impactful work early in my journey.

Most importantly, I’ve never felt like I had to leave parts of myself at the door. Whether leading an analytics stream, supervising a team, or contributing to office culture, I’ve had the space and support to bring my full self to Bain.