Spend some time on Bain's website exploring the varying career paths available for those with different experience levels. For example, if you've just earned a bachelor's or master's degree, you'll start your career with them "as an Associate Consultant. Working for clients from a range of industries, you'll gain the broad basic knowledge of a generalist and move up a steep learning curve." Or, if you are an experienced professional, depending, among other things, on the career level you start with and the pace of your development, you might start as a manager, where "you'll take on project responsibility from the outset. After significantly expanding your leadership skills for about two years, you'll be appointed to Senior Manager. In that role, you'll have a strong part in shaping client relationships and acquiring new clients, while you prepare yourself for your role as a Partner."

"Even though I am still in school, I was asked to audit a business. They were a small business run by a friend of the family, who thought it would be good practice for me. When I started the audit, their numbers didn't sit right with me. They used vendors for everything, including warehousing, trucking, and delivery. As I examined all the hidden costs and all the overhead these vendors were charging, I realized it was far more cost effective to lease a small fleet of box trucks and ship directly off-premises. When I told them, they expressed concern about hiring drivers, but I suggested they hire independent contractors. They saved thousands, and their business was streamlined, resulting in more reliable service and increased profits."