MBA Internships

One step at a time - Flickr

Summer internships can be critical for programs such as MBA that are inherently practical and hands-on in nature. The fact that more than 70% MBA students are career switchers, trying to get an entry position in an extremely tough market makes it inevitable in today’s world.

One thing I like about NYU Stern is the accessibility to real employers. Every student I talked to have done or is doing 2-3 internships easily during the 2 year program. Although 99% of Fall and Spring internships are unpaid since you are taking classes in full flow, the value lies in networking and checking if you are cut out for the industry/sector. I feel it is an incredible opportunity in trying out various roles and domains. I fully agree that the experience can’t be as intensive as full time summer internship and may not even be a bullet on your resume, but to get to experience a role and company from inside in real world is an incentive more attractive than anything else. Imagine it for a cut throat sector such as Venture Capital where getting even an unpaid internship is a rare find. Plus, it reduces the pressure on summer internship. Lets say I am confused between marketing, in house strategy or consulting roles within Media industry and 95% of Media internships (yes NBC internships are unpaid!) are unpaid – I could try 2 roles in Spring, Fall and instead do an IB internship within Media sector on Wall St which would pay my bills, add some value and not deprive me of things that interest me more.

It is a big advantage for me since:

1. I am myself a career switcher and want to sample roles/sectors extensively before committing to full time.
2. I don’t want to do unpaid summer internship (at least don’t want to be forced into it because that is the only means of trying out a role I like).
3. One of my primary motivations behind MBA is networking, the more people I work with, the more I can explore.
4. I realize that employment pressure would be high once your classmate start getting offers and you are waiting for the perfect opportunity. Having the option of multiple internships puts me at lesser risk of succumbing to this pressure.

The fact is MBA internships can be make or break deal. Having hundreds of potential employers within walking distance is a big boon. Rest depends on the student herself and this is where this story is a gem:

Business school is a grind, especially at a top-tier school such as Stanford. When I first met Tristan, I was shocked to learn that he is still a full-time student. Graduating from business school this May, he’s been pulling double duty during his final two semesters, all the while locking down partnerships with notable brands such as Pepsi, Bravo and MTV. Out of sheer interest to learn just what he was thinking in taking on such a heavy load, I decided to sit down with Tristan to ask why he decided to make the rest of us feel like lazy bums for working just one demanding job!

The lesson: Sometimes we don’t even try something thinking if it was easy, someone else would have done it. It may not be easy but it is not impossible either. Also, many students get distracted with peer pressure and follow herd mentality. Don’t give up on your dreams too easily and even if you are not getting it right away, take a step that leads to it.

Add-on: I just read this post from PaloAltoForAWhile and this is exactly what I am talking about peer pressure, distractions and difficulty in focus. I like her advices and wish her best of luck. I will also mention here how I believe a MBA journey is truly individualistic and one should not keep grading against others because their paths and goals might be altogether different.

And check out this hilarious Fedex ad! I only wish every MBA student had a good sense of humor : )