The internship search, a potentially painful experience but with the right preparation and outlook, the exciting opportunity to gain experience in the career track you have always wanted. I don’t think this will apply to many first year MBA students, as I am sure they will know all of this already. So this is for you, the incoming student or those considering a MBA. These are some of the things I have learned in my first year as a MBA student that helped me land that internship that can open doors to a great job upon graduation.
Wish I had known:
- It took me a long time to be properly organized, prepared, and polished
- It was not always a joyful process – getting feedback can be tough, but it was worth it
- It was easier to rule out gigs I did not want than I thought it would be
- A quick “no” is a gift – it allowed me to move on and refocus my efforts
- I had to show up and suck before I could show up and shine (see pain points)
My pain points:
- Hearing I did not have the right background for the job I really wanted
- The first submission – it’s so hard to get the ball rollin’
- Balancing job searching with academic efforts
- Completely bombing a mock interview the night before my big interview
- …and (woe is me) graciously handling multiple offers and turning down future opportunities to interview
The best parts:
- Getting to know my classmates, finding out their goals and career aspirations
- Commiserating with others as they endured the same recruitment processes
- Reading books on case interviews and common interview questions
- Learning about all the opportunities with local and national firms
- GETTING THE OFFER!
A trick or two:
- Start early
- Have at least 3 people look at every resume and cover letter you send out – better if they are three different people every time
- Lean on the experts around you
In the end, landing that perfect internship, no matter how stressful at times the process can be, is why many of my classmates and I decided to pursue our MBA. I know you will end up with the perfect gig. Go get it!
Amanda Leavitt's Linkedin profile can be found below:
