Incoming AC at Bain, previously was deciding between Bain and McKinsey. But, ultimately chose Bain for the culture despite McKinsey being aligned with my professional goals of working in the government. I was looking on LinkedIn and didn’t find many people who are working in the White House after Bain, but found countless examples for McKinsey. Would it be difficult to try to transition to working in government after a few years at Bain? Any thoughts?

likehelpfulsmart
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

There's definitely folks from your firm in government. Ever heard of a little ex-Bainie named MITT ROMNEY?!? Come on!

Edit: nevermind, guess he didn't make it to the White House either....

funnylike

@AC1 and @B4, I know, but OP was asking if there were ex-Bainies in the White House, not about whether BCG also had folks there. My point was simply about Bain

like

It’s probably more selection bias than anything else (i.e., the type of people who are interested in govt work typically join McKinsey rather than Bain). But that said, your network for govt roles will be smaller. You’ll have to work a bit harder but I don’t see why Bain experience would inherently hurt you.

More importantly, why on earth do you want to go work in government??? 🤷‍♂️

likesmart

This

Plus McK’s scale

You won’t be able to do much public sector work but it happens occasionally. I think a govt externship will be your big enabler

like

Bain does by far the least government work out of MBB… and McK does the most

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by choice but very true

likeupliftingfunny

My guy/gal, you just f’d up

likefunny

Consulting is not the best path into politics. Bain in particular is known for having very little public sector footprint. McK, BCG, Deloitte, and Booz are much better stepping stones. But it depends what you want to do. If your goal is to work at the WH, your best bet is to network in DC, volunteer on campaigns, or get some experience in the political world. Most people you see pivot from consulting to politics had prior political experience. Of course having MBB on your resume doesn’t hurt. But it’s not going to pave a path to the WH, especially from Bain.

like

If you network hard enough don’t think it’ll be an issue and folks will value your experience as long as you’re able to do enough government / public sector studies

likesmarthelpful

When you start - go on the internal case portal and search up the alumni you find who made the transition (I’d be shocked if there were none) and you can see exactly what cases they’ve done - don’t think your casework limits your exit especially as an undergrad hire

likehelpful

Yeah you fcked up

likefunny

bruh that’s exaggerating I know a few people from my office going to do energy work for the gov

like

I’m not too knowledge in this area, but can you do some sort of internship with Bridgespan to do public sector work?

likesmart

^ good option. Or public sector externship in general

like

It’s probably more selection bias than anything else (i.e., the type of people who are interested in govt work typically join McKinsey rather than Bain). But that said, your network for govt roles will be smaller. You’ll have to work a bit harder but I don’t see why Bain experience would inherently hurt you.

More importantly, why on earth do you want to go work in government??? 🤷‍♂️

likesmart

I think it’s more self selection vs not being able to get into government work. If you network you should have no worries getting similar opportunities.


great choice tho :) I started as an AC and love it - kool aid hits

like

People vastly overrated case work relevance for exits at junior levels.

You’re likely not going to do any public sector cases in your time at Bain, but if you’re just staying for 2 and going, that won’t be relevant.

Agree that there’s self selection bias at work here as folks who choose Bain aren’t typically interested in public sector.

like

Hahahahaha

like

Why not go work in government directly?

like

$$$

funnylike

Do you mean to refer to Chelsea?

I struggle to understand why someone who can make it into Bain would ever want to jump to the public sector. But I really don’t think there’s a whole lot of difference at the Jr ranks between ability to get your foot in the door. The main difference IMO is that you will have to work a bit harder with networking. But that’s just my thoughts. 7 years at Bain (Europe) and I still do t know anyone who went to the public sector.

Public sector works for those who want to make an impact and/or are power hungry. There is no replicating the feeling of influence as a prominent politician / DC insider (corporate America doesn’t compare in most cases)

like

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