As a student who is getting their MBA in marketing, you already know about that all-important internship. If you have not already lined up an internship, you might be worried about where you should look for one. Some of you might even wonder if it is important to pursue prestigious positions at Fortune 500 companies.
Since the trajectory of your career depends on it, it is vital that you think long and hard about where to do your internship. This article will look at what you should consider when pursuing your internship.
Where Should You Do Your Internship
The answer is not that simple. The obvious area you should examine is your interests. Your interests may lead you to consider product/brand management, sales management, advertising, consulting, or market research. Go where your interests lead.
Once you have identified your interests, apply to the places where you think you can learn the most, gain the most professional contacts and get a leg up on your career. If you attend a nationally recognized MBA program, you may have more access to the internships at Fortune 500 companies.
Is Prestige Important?
The answer: It depends. If you are getting an MBA at the Wharton School of Business, your professional path may be a lot different from a person enrolled in an MBA program at a state school.
Even though getting a marketing internship at a prominent company will open many doors, it is not as important as some experts think. If you are in an MBA program at a state school, look at marketing internship opportunities in local companies. Just because you are not getting your MBA in a New York City college or university does not mean that you cannot get internship opportunities in advertising. If you plan on staying in your home state after graduation, an internship in a local company may be worth considering as it may lead to a job offer after graduation.
What is More Important Than Prestige
More important than getting a marketing internship at a company your mother will recognize is making the most out of the opportunities you have. Whatever internship you get, you need to stay on your toes and ensure that you are making contacts, contributing to the projects of your coworkers, and behaving professionally at all times.
Some ways that you can make the most out of your marketing internship include:
- Take the internship seriously (Don’t party too hard!)
- When at work, work hard. Do not shirk responsibility.
- Follow office norms. Going against them could get you fired.
Following these tips can bring you that brass ring. You may be offered a job at your internship site. It is not uncommon for interns to be offered a great job.
While a prestigious internship can offer you a lot of benefits, treating whatever internship you get seriously will get you even farther. An MBA is useless if your partying and laziness ends up costing you job offers.
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