All CoursesIf you are a prospective MBA student, you might have heard a lot about MBA internships. But, have you been wondering why MBA internships are necessary? We suggest you read this article to clear all your doubts regarding the same.
In today’s competitive world, the majority of companies prefer candidates who have some work experience. However, if you are a fresh graduate, this could be a challenge for you. This is where internships come into the picture to save you. An internship is an on-the-job learning experience that offers you practical work knowledge related to your field of study. Internships are relatively short-term but something that creates a long-term impact on your career. Hence, even if internships are not compulsory for your program, we suggest doing it, as this experience will be helpful for your future work roles.
If you are still confused, below are the top 5 reasons why an internship is so important.
- Helps you gain corporate work experience
The practical knowledge you gain from a corporate setting is as important as the theoretical knowledge you acquire from classroom learning. And, there is no better option than doing an internship for gaining practical corporate work experience. From understanding the corporate setup to dealing with the real pressure of deadlines — you’ll learn a lot more during an internship.
- Widens your professional network
MBA internships build and widen your professional network. Internships connect you with people wherein you not only get professional advice but job opportunities from them as well. As long as you maintain a friendly professional relationship with your connections, most of them will be willing to help you either by referring you to the company or by helping you find a job.
- Helps you develop business skills
An internship is a learning experience. When you start your internship, you are subjected to work as an employee of that company for a short time. During this period, you’ll get to learn day to day operations of the company. This will help you hone several career-relevant business skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and analytical skills among others.
- Improves the chances of a Pre-placement Offer
Internships are one of the best ways to showcase your skills, hard work and commitment to a prospective employer. Though internships never guarantee a full-time job, sometimes, internships serve as an extended job interview for you. Hence, if you live up to the expectations of the company, chances are you return to college with a pre-placement offer!
- Gives you a preview of the roles and responsibilities
An MBA internship gives you a real-life preview of your future job roles and responsibilities. This helps you decide if you’re really apt for the prospective job role in a specific field and reconsider your area of interest if the job profile doesn’t excite you.
How to find an MBA internship?
Finding an MBA internship requires time and proper planning. However, do remember that the results will be worth the effort.
Here are some tips that will help you find an internship easily.
- Be active on job sites
Job sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor have millions of job listings. You can either search for your preferred job type or create a job notification alert if you want to get the relevant results delivered to your inbox.
- Talk to Placement Coordinator
Majority of colleges have a career guidance cell that intends to provide information regarding placements and internships. You can connect with your placement coordinator to enquire about the possible internship opening in the companies of your interest. Apart from this, colleges also conduct job fairs, which are also useful for you, if you are looking for an internship opportunity.
- Check the official website of the company
It is one of the most suitable ways of reaching out to companies. Contact them through their websites, under the ‘Careers’ option, submit your CV, and wait for a response. Also, sometimes the company publishes advertisements related to hiring or internship on their websites. So, make sure to check the websites consistently to find out any possible opportunities.
We hope now you understand why MBA internships are necessary. Internship programs shape you and prepare you for a career in the corporate business world. However, finding an internship may not be as easy as it sounds. Hence, if you are looking for an internship, make sure you read the aforementioned points and apply for it as early as possible!
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