Sasha Foo 

Location: San Francisco, CA

Hometown: San Jose, CA

MBA program: University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

Undergraduate school, major: Stanford University, B.A. in Public Policy

Focus of current case: Private Equity

What word best describes Bain and why?
Collaborative. Coming from a non-profit, I had an impression that the corporate world was hierarchical and stiff, but Bain is really all about teamwork with each person contributing their expertise to our final product. Great ideas can come from anyone, be it an associate consultant or a partner, and Bain really encourages everyone to shape the answer.

Why did you choose to work at Bain?
I see Bain as my chance to spread my wings. Before Bain, I had never worked in the private sector before, not even for internships in undergrad. At Bain, I not only get to learn from the incredible people within Bain, but I also get to learn from our clients who are often leaders in their own respective fields.  It’s a great opportunity to explore different industries and functions, while leveraging the skills I’ve brought with me from my prior career.

What did you love about the business school you attended?
The school spirit at Michigan is unmatched.  It’s crazy to be literally on the other side of the world and still have someone yell, “Go Blue!” because you happen to be wearing a Michigan cap or something. Alumni are everywhere and are very engaged.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far at Bain?
I’ve learned to be more “80/20”, which comes from the idea that our focus is best leveraged if we concentrate on “20%” of the issues which cause “80%” of impact.  As a more anxious person, I have been guilty, especially in my personal life, of over-analyzing, and taking on this viewpoint has been immensely freeing.

Which manager or peer has had the biggest impact on you at Bain, and how has he or she made you a better consultant?
It would be Abby Smith for being a great sounding board and an amazing example of how to leverage the strengths consulting teaches you to make a broader impact. I would add Matt Doty for being a supportive manager who helped nurture my confidence as I was getting my legs underneath me when I first started. Also, I want to mention Simran Ahuja for teaching me to tackle hard work with a smile (and most of what I know about slide design)

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work for Bain?
Know your strengths! It is easy to be focused on the areas that you are trying to improve. While of course those areas deserve attention, don’t forget about the areas in which you succeed. Showcasing your strengths can really enable upward trajectory in your career and help remind you to not be too hard on yourself.

What has been your most meaningful career achievement and how did it make a difference?
During the beginning of my education career, I taught a special education class for students who qualified for special education services through the category of “emotional disturbance.”  In laymen’s terms, this meant my students had significant behavioral or mental health concerns.  Students with emotional disturbance statistically only have a 40% chance of graduating high school, which is about half the national average. While I would hesitate to call it an achievement of my own, every one of the students who I had in class or on my caseload who graduated brought me immense joy.

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