Yasmina Atallah 

Location: Dubai

Hometown: Ghedres, Lebanon

MBA program: HEC Paris – Class of 2022

Undergraduate school, major: American University of Beirut, Computer and Communication Engineer

Focus of current case:  Strategy, Public Sector

What word best describes Bain and why? Rewarding. I’ve only been at Bain for a few months, and I can tell you working at Bain has been very rewarding. Every day you learn something new. Some days are harder than others, but working with great people on the many challenging and interesting topics makes the long hours fly.

Why did you choose to work at Bain? The culture/the people. Bain is an amazing place to work. When I decided to move to consulting, I knew I wanted to be part of Bain and its supportive community that is guided by the True North. Bain not only cares about delivering results to clients, but it also cares about employees and is continuously discussing sustainability to ensure people grow and thrive both professionally and on a personal level.

What did you love about the business school you attended?  
The diversity of the cohort. HEC has a rich mix of individuals who joined from different geographies and backgrounds, coming together to enrich each other’s experience. We graduated with a degree, but also with a richly diverse network for life. The amazing campus was also a bonus.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far at Bain?  
My first manager, Lama Alotaibi, taught me the concept of timeboxing my tasks. As a new joiner, I used to spend too much time looking for data or trying to come up with a solution for a specific problem. It used to drain my energy, and I would feel frustrated if I couldn’t find what I was looking for after some time. The rule we set was that after 30 minutes, if I am still struggling, I would reach out for help to unblock to situation and get the ball rolling. Timeboxing is key to improve efficiency and learning as well as to reduce time loss and frustration.

Which manager or peer has had the biggest impact on you at Bain, and how has he or she made you a better consultant?
I would send a big shout out to Lise Abi Jaoude. Always focusing on empowering others, a bundle of positive vibes, and super smart you are an inspiration to many of us at Bain on how to thrive and succeed at this job! Keep shining.

Another shout out to Marissa Tawer for always being my go-to person even before joining Bain. She helped me prepare for my interviews and taught me all about structuring and case solving. I was lucky to work with her on my first project.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work for Bain?  
Joining consulting with no prior experience in the field can be overwhelming. At Bain, I learned that I can always reach out and get help. You are set on a clear path for success, but most importantly growth. Don’t be scared or shy to ask for help. You will always find it. And when the time comes, remember that it will be your turn to also help someone new.

What has been your most meaningful career achievement and how did it make a difference? 
During my MBA, and as part of the consulting club, we set up multiple bootcamps to help fellow students prepare and successfully apply to consulting. The acceptance rate almost doubled after our sessions. The experience was very rewarding as I was able to help fellow MBA students achieve their goals and join top firms as I did.

A fun fact about me people would be surprised to know is… 
I love to swim early in the morning in cold water to relax. It is during these long swims (2.5 to 3 km) that I usually come up with solutions to the most complex problems I have.

DON’T MISS: MEET BAIN & COMPANY’S MBA CLASS OF 2022