Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL)
Building Entrepreneurial Leaders (BEL)
The BEL program was originally established as an avenue to provide initial exposure and a chance to learn about a career in professional services to undergraduate students whose backgrounds are often underrepresented in the profession.
Try out consulting to see if this career is for you
We founded the BEL program in 2009 to help students like yourself explore a career in management consulting. During this experience, you will receive training similar to our associate consultants and be staffed with a case team where you’ll analyze a piece of the project and share your analysis. You’ll join us in-person at one of our US or Canada offices in early summer, analyze a real client situation, and present your findings to leadership. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your business acumen and see what you could gain from a career at Bain.
We welcome Black, Hispanic/Latin American and Indigenous second-year (sophomore) students that are in a four-year program to a weeklong experience to see what it is like to be an Associate Consultant at Bain. Upon completing the program, if you are excited to pursue a summer experience at Bain, you will have an opportunity to interview for our Associate Consultant Internship.
Work side-by-side with case team consultants.
An experienced consultant is there to help and answer questions.
Get to know your BEL peers and others at Bain.
Bain will also cover expenses related to attending this program.
Meet and participate in-person, for a real feel for what it’s like, in one of our offices in the US or Canada.
Get a feel for the work and test your skills
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At the end of the program, all participants will have the chance to interview for an associate consultant internship opportunity.
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Get experience tackling real challenges.
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Plus, meet people at Bain and build your network.
How to apply for this program
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We are hoping to connect with individuals whose perspectives and experiences are historically underrepresented in our industry. This program is for undergraduate second-year (sophomore) bachelor’s degree candidates completing their degree at a four-year institution in the US or Canada, who are Black, Hispanic/Latin American or Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Inuit, Métis and First Nations).
The application for the 2025 program will open in early 2025.
Apply in January 2025
When applying, you’ll be asked to select up to three office preferences, as well as submit your:
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Educational information
- Unofficial transcript
- Test scores (if applicable)
Everything you need to know
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Who is eligible for the BEL program?
Second-year (sophomore) bachelor’s degree students completing their degree at a four-year institution. Because of the intent of the program, BEL is for Black, Hispanic/Latin American, and Indigenous (Native American, Alaska Native, Inuit, Métis and First Nations) students. Non-US citizens are eligible, but you must be attending a university in the US or Canada at that time.
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What offices participate in the BEL programs?
The BEL program is available in our US and Toronto offices.
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How are participants assigned to a Bain office for BEL?
We’ll ask where you’d like to work and, in combination with your early summer availability, assign you to an office.
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Do I need to have any prior experience in consulting to participate?
Not at all. You don’t need a prior background in consulting to apply, nor to enjoy this program. We encourage you to apply no matter your major or background
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If I’m not selected for BEL, can I still apply to Bain in the future?
Absolutely, and we encourage it. BEL is highly selective and if you aren’t selected, please stay in touch and apply for an associate consultant internship opportunity in the summer prior to your third (junior) year.
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I’m already interviewing for a summer internship. Is there a way to interview early for the associate consultant intern role?
You’ll have to ask your school’s recruiter. Find their contact information by navigating to your school’s homepage.
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I have additional questions. Who can I reach out to?
Contact our recruiting team at NAundergradrecruiting@bain.com.