IE Students Put Their Consulting Skills To The Test at Consulting Thursdays

IE Talent & Careers hosted a hands-on consulting case session with Bain & Company at the Nov. 5 edition of Consulting Thursdays. The session gave IE students a chance to prepare for future interviews in an environment similar to that of the firm.

The twice-a-month Consulting Thursday series asks consultants to guide students through a case, asking participants to propose the most effective solutions, leading to discussions in which students draw on their knowledge and contribute creative ideas. The consultants then offer constructive feedback to strengthen their reasoning and decision-making.

IE alumni Daniel Yebra and Beatriz Wahle, associate consultants at Bain & Company, both graduated with a Dual Degree in Business Administration & Data and Business Analytics, explained the importance of the four key phases of a consulting case, repeatedly highlighting how essential it is to structure problems effectively.

"For having better answers, you have to be detailed and oriented," Beatriz mentioned.

The speakers emphasized the importance of building clear frameworks, saying these provide a greater understanding of the case and make it easier for the interviewer to follow the candidate’s perspective.

They also advised students not to rush their responses, emphasizing that pausing to structure a clear answer can strengthen their performance, as well as exploring several creative solutions before committing to one approach in detail. 

After hearing the students’ different approaches, Ana Amelia Ochoa, a second-year Bachelor of Business Administration student, highlighted three key areas she hopes to develop: structuring problems and mastering basic mathematics, developing strong interpersonal skills, and gaining practical experience through internships and entrepreneurial projects.

David Yebra underscored that Bain is actively looking for IE students and that, although competition is strong and securing a position can be difficult, attending events like this gives students an advantage.