Nikita Bounds

What’s your background?

I was born in Melbourne and moved to Paris at the age of three, where I learnt to speak French fluently. When I was ten, my family returned to Australia, this time settling in Brisbane, where I completed high school and a double degree in Business and Communications at the Queensland University of Technology. In my penultimate year, I undertook a semester exchange in Copenhagen, studying strategic management at Copenhagen Business School while immersing myself in new cultures, academic perspectives and travel. Throughout my degree, I had the opportunity to work alongside various not-for-profits and industry partners, which sparked my passion for problem-solving, a drive to create positive change, and a keen interest in client-facing work. Having also worked in retail and hospitality, as well as completed a marketing internship alongside my studies, I enjoyed understanding people’s needs and challenges—fueling my enthusiasm for the people-focused and varied nature of consulting. 

Why did you choose Escient?

I thrive in environments that offer genuine support and learning opportunities, which is what initially drew me to Escient. From my research, it was clear that Escient is an organisation that strives to provide their Grads with mentors, opportunities for growth and genuine guidance. I knew consulting was the path I wanted to pursue, but in an industry where burnout seemed all too common, it was important to me to begin my career with a company that truly values its people and the work they do. Escient’s values stood out to me—both in the clients they’ve partnered with and in the way their employees spoke about the organisation. 

What did you like about the Graduate recruitment process? 

The P&C team at Escient made the recruitment process refreshingly smooth and supportive. Every interaction I had with the team felt genuinely enjoyable—I felt like I was treated as an equal, and not only was I excited to meet them, but they were equally as enthusiastic to meet me. I appreciated that there was space for me to authentically showcase both my personality and skillset. The feedback I received throughout was thoughtful and constructive, which helped build my confidence and contributed to my growth. 

What is a highlight from your time in the Graduate Program so far? 

One of the highlights for me has been getting to work with people across all four of our offices, each bringing a unique background and perspective. I feel like I’ve already learnt so much, and I haven’t come across anyone who isn’t happy to help or provide guidance. Working alongside the other grads has also been a really enjoyable part of the experience. Being a small cohort, we regularly share our experiences and learnings with each other, fostering shared success rather than competition. 

What do you think makes a good Escient Graduate? 

A desire to learn and a willingness to jump in and give things a go is, in my opinion, the most important quality to have. The graduate program is a time to be a sponge—to absorb as much as you can from the wealth of knowledge and support around you. You never know what opportunities might come your way as a Graduate, so making an effort to get to know people and offer help where you can is always a good move. 

What has been your biggest achievement so far as an Escient Graduate? 

So far, one of my biggest achievements has been contributing to internal projects and building strong relationships with my coworkers. I’ve also had the opportunity to grow my networking skills by attending a number of conferences and events, which has expanded my connections and confidence in professional settings.