Samantha Scott Banks

Chicago

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

MBA program: Northwestern University (Kellogg)

Undergraduate School, Major: Ohio University, Accounting

Focus of current or favorite case: Retail/Grocery

What word best describes Bain and why? Exciting! The work at Bain is hard, but you work with many great people and on some amazing cases. No matter how tough the work is, you will always be left wanting more. I wake every day excited because I know I am going to learn more and be challenged in some way.

Why did you choose to work at Bain? I know it’s cliché, but I chose Bain for the people. At Bain, I saw people who I genuinely wanted to work within 2-5 years; they were people who were thriving both inside and outside of work.

What did you love about the business school you attended? I loved the community at Kellogg, especially the Black Management Association. They pushed me at Kellogg to shoot for the stars, and I knew if I failed, then I would land on some supportive clouds of people ready to bounce me back up.

What’s the most valuable thing you’ve learned so far at Bain? As consultants, we work long hours, and it can sometimes be hard to balance personal life and work. As a new consultant, it can be tough to speak up for yourself, but at Bain you are encouraged and expected to do so. The best advice I have received is from my mentor who told me to speak up and be organized.

Which manager or peer has had the biggest impact on you at Bain, and how have they made you a better consultant? Emily Doran is the blueprint for how to thrive at Bain while balancing what is important to you outside of work. Jessica Snow-Wasserman is also amazing, she reminds me of the power of laughter just by being herself. I can’t forget Marcus Leonard, who skillfully helped me lessen my anxiety during my summer internship.   

In what other ways have you felt supported at Bain and how has this impacted your PD?  I would say the most support I felt at Bain was during my virtual New Consultant Training. Not only did I get to connect with colleagues from around the world at my tenure, but I also got to pick the brains of some amazing trainers. My case team even picked up my workload so that I could focus solely on my training.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to work for Bain? It is your job to ensure that you are setting your own personal and professional goals. Bain will provide sponsorship and resources to help you navigate your career, but ultimately it is up to you to define what thriving means for you.

What has been your most meaningful achievement and how did it make a difference? My most meaningful achievement was acting as the VP of prospective students for the Black Management Association at Kellogg. Having a role in bringing in people who look like me into such an amazing program was beyond rewarding and really reminded me of my passion to reach out and uplift others in our community.  

DON’T MISS: MEET BAIN & CO’S MBA CLASS OF 2020