Tips For Finding The Right Mba Internship

MBA students are encouraged to participate in an internship during their program

, usually between the first and second years. An internship is considered a vital part of an MBA education, as it provides a real world component that no classroom can emulate. Internships are also crucial to finding a job after graduation and to building a professional network. Many top employers hire their interns or at least serve as stellar references. In today's competitive market, though, finding the right internship requires strategy. Follow these tips to help you get there.

Start looking early.

If you wait until the last minute, the prime internships will be gone. Thanks to the economy, the market is more competitive than it has been in decades. Assume the best and plan for the worst. Start researching potential internships early in your first year. Your school program should have a placement service to help its students, so begin working with placement staff as early as possible. Identify which companies you'd like to work for and what they are specifically looking for.

Chances are that you already have professional contacts from your work experience prior to entering the MBA program. Whether you've worked two years or two decades, don't make the mistake of leaving your network at the academic door. Thanks to social media and other tools, it's easier than ever to maintain contacts while busy at school. Focus on building professional networks rather than purely social ones, and keep your profile and posts professional. Pretend a future employer is checking you out. Your ideal one actually could be.

Another networking strategy is to join business and industry associations in the subject area you're interested in. If they hold local meetings, make a point of attending and getting involved. Let people know that you are an MBA student and looking for an internship. The best way to get noticed is to genuinely contribute.

Be selective

This may sound counter-intuitive in today's job market, but it will help you succeed. Your internship will likely prove critical to your career plans. Pursue those opportunities that match your goals. This may mean skipping some low hanging fruit in order to find one that fits. If your focus is on entrepreneurship, don't grab an opening with a major accounting firm just because it's available and looks good on paper. You'll excel when you focus on your area of passion and expertise.

Approach the process like a job application

Some students make the mistake of treating an internship as less important or less formal than a job application. It isn't. The internship will be your job while you have it and could lead to more permanent opportunities. The company offering the internship most definitely sees it as a professional opportunity and expects nothing less of its applicants. If you want to make the grade, you'll bring your best to your resume, interview, and behavior.

Make your own opportunity

Your ideal internship may be the one you create. If your perfect company doesn't advertise internships, contact them anyway. You wouldn't hesitate to submit your resume after graduating, right? Propose an internship in the same professional and enthusiastic manner.

Keep these points in mind, and you'll find the right opportunity.

by: Claudia Humphrey

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