Thinking of Getting an MBA? Go for a Management Internship First!
Nikita had recently completed her graduation and is thinking about getting an MBA to enter the corporate world. After researching online for some time, she got a little dejected about her prospects of getting into a top B-school; she didn’t have enough work experience and wasn’t sure about which specialization she should opt. That’s when her senior Kamal, an IIM-B alumni, advised her to go for a management internship before applying to MBA programs.
A management internship doesn’t just help you to get into an MBA program- it prepares you for your complete B-school journey and even your career later on. Wondering how? Read on:
1. An informed decision about the need of an MBA: MBA requires a huge investment and two years of commitment; you need to be sure whether you really need it and in what way will it help your career. An internship will give you a glimpse into how your life would be once you complete your MBA and whether you would be able to handle it.
2. Helps crack the GD-PI sessions: A good performance in GD-PI can make or break your chances of getting into your dream B-School. Having acquired practical knowledge while handling real projects in your internship, you are better equipped to participate and put forward your views with confidence.
3. Increased chances of getting an International MBA admit: Internships count towards your professional experience which can boost your application especially if you have little or no post bachelor’s work experience which is required by most of the B-Schools abroad.
4. Relate to the theoretical concepts taught in your classroom: Once you start your B-School journey, you’ll get acquainted with case studies and Class Participation (CP) grade. After interacting with many professionals and handling various projects during your internship, you understand the nuances of running an organization. With a better understanding of the case studies, you are more likely to participate in the class activities, thereby improving your CP grade.
5. Clarity about the specialization you want to pursue: You’ll have to choose a specialization in the second year of your MBA. So, by doing an internship beforehand, you can test drive a potential field of interest. For example, a Marketing or Finance internship will help you understand the nuances of that particular specialization and clear any biases/stereotypes that you may have.
6. More ammunition to your application for MBA summer internship: And finally, having a bit of real-world exposure under your belt gives you an edge when you interview with recruiters for a summer internship at the end of your first year. Many times, the professional network you develop during your internship can even help you find a summer internship; you can even spend your summer at the same company if you had a good experience during your earlier stint.
We hope this was helpful and you prepare for your B-School journey starting with an internship; you can find some amazing management internships here.
If you are also planning to go for an MBA and have something to add, we would love to hear; please comment below.
Image source: merojob.com
