Mariana Couttolenc was reflecting on what she was looking for in the long term when she decided that business school was the right step to gain exposure to different industries and expand her network. In this edition of our Real Humans: Alumni series, Mariana tells us how she was drawn to London Business School for a more international experience and how the MBA program strengthened her confidence, resilience, and ability to manage pressure. Read about her journey to an MBA and consulting at Bain below.
Mariana Couttolenc, LBS MBA ’25, Consultant at Bain & Co.
Age: 28
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico / San Diego, USA
Undergrad Institution and Major: Georgetown University, International Political Economy and Business, graduation year 2020
Pre-MBA work experience: Management Consulting – Bain & Co; various start-ups in the education and fashion sector
Post-MBA work experience: Management Consulting – Bain & Co
Why did you choose to attend business school?
I wanted to take some time and create space to reflect on the previous few years and think intentionally about what I wanted long term, rather than simply following the next promotion opportunity. I was also looking for a geographical change and an opportunity to expand my network, gain exposure to different industries, and better understand what other career paths could be a good fit for me.
Why LBS? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I knew I wanted to pursue an MBA in Europe because I was looking to move away from the US and have a more international experience. A two-year programme was important to me because I wanted enough time to build meaningful relationships, explore different career paths, and fully immerse myself in the experience. I was particularly drawn to LBS because of its diversity, global perspective, and programme flexibility, which allowed me to tailor the MBA experience to my interests and goals.
What about your MBA experience prepared you for your current career? How has your MBA been an asset when navigating new challenges, such as AI?
Although I returned to a similar role after business school, I think the MBA significantly strengthened my resilience, confidence, and ability to manage pressure. More importantly, it gave me access to an incredibly interesting and diverse network of people who continue to inspire me and expose me to new ideas and opportunities. That network has been especially valuable in fast-evolving areas like AI, where staying connected to different perspectives and industries is critical.
What was your internship during business school? How did that inform your post-MBA career choice?
I interned in the strategy department at Syensqo, a large chemical manufacturing company based in Brussels. It was an incredibly positive and immersive experience — the team was very supportive and made a real effort to integrate me into the business and give me meaningful responsibility from the start. I had the opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders and gain firsthand exposure to how strategic decisions are made within a large global organisation.
The experience gave me valuable insight into what it’s like to work in an internal strategy role compared to external consulting. While I ultimately returned to consulting after my MBA, the internship broadened my perspective significantly and gave me a very tangible sense of a potential future career path if I decide to transition in-house later on.
Why did you choose your current company?
I had worked at Bain prior to business school, and they were incredibly supportive throughout the MBA process, both during my application journey and afterward with my transfer. It’s a company that invests heavily in its people and consistently provides opportunities to learn, grow, and take on new challenges. I also really value the chance to work with smart, interesting colleagues who continually push me to develop professionally.
Advice to current MBA students:
—One thing you would absolutely do again as part of the job search?
I would definitely continue to leverage the LBS network as much as possible. Speaking with alumni, former interns, and current employees gave me a much more nuanced understanding of different firms and roles than I could have gained through formal recruiting materials alone. I also found it incredibly valuable to use my classmates as thought partners throughout the process — whether for resume feedback, interview preparation, or simply comparing perspectives on different opportunities.
—One thing you would change or do differently as part of the job search?
In hindsight, I would have explored a broader range of opportunities and industries during the recruiting process. Business school is a unique environment to experiment and test different paths with relatively low risk, and I think there is real value in speaking to a wider set of companies and considering a second internship or additional in-semester experiences to gain even more exposure before making a long-term decision.
—Were there any surprises regarding your current employer’s recruiting process?
Not particularly, since my process was an internal transfer rather than traditional recruiting. Having already worked at the firm beforehand meant I had a strong understanding of both the expectations and the culture going into the process.
—What piece of advice do you wish you had been given during your MBA?
I wish I had been encouraged earlier to invest more intentionally in relationships beyond my immediate peer group — particularly with professors and students in other classes and years. One of the most valuable aspects of the MBA is the long-term network you build, and some of the most insightful conversations and opportunities come from people with very different experiences and perspectives from your own.
