As we enter the mid-point of the first semester, and with more and more recruiters showing up on campus, I’ve heard concern over whether companies are still spending the money to not only recruit, but support their interns throughout the summer with relevant projects, travel opportunities, as well as other “perks.” I remember thinking the same thing last year. Therefore, I’d like to offer my internship experience not as an indication of what all companies are doing, but to illustrate that all hope is not lost.
Nearly five weeks into my internship, I was surprised when my summer employer offered to fly me across the country for a few days for just two short orientation meetings. Apparently, they felt bad that the rest of the dozen or so MBA interns were all based in Boston, and that I was missing out on some of the events. I was considerably more surprised when I saw the price of the plane ticket – $1600. That, coupled with the hotel stay in downtown Boston, a few meals and ground transportation on the company’s dime must really add up. Apparently, some companies are not afraid to spend money despite the economy. Or perhaps my small business background has me considerably more cost-conscious than I need to be. I distinctly remember in the past having to get approval to purchase even a $100 toner cartridge on the company Amex. I suppose there are benefits to working for a Fortune 100 company.
One thing I didn’t considered in my job search in retrospect was the importance that individual companies place on their internship programs, which becomes all too apparent once you get settled in. I think initially I was more concerned with getting something for the summer, but there’s definitely a difference between companies making a concerted effort to engage their interns, and those that… don’t. We’ve been taught to network as much as possible so that we can get an internship, and I think the benefit comes from the insight that you get into why companies hire interns.
My advice is to try and speak to someone who has been in the position/internship you’re applying for. If you can’t, at least talk to an employee who isn’t biased by the fact that he/she is trying to fill a position. The company that is willing to put in the effort to engage its interns and continue to provide value after the initial hiring process is the sort of company that I want to work for post-MBA, and you can’t evaluate that from a job description or a recruiter.
By the end of the summer, I had traveled to Boston several times for up to a week at a time, I met the CEO, attended a cocktail reception with the senior management, and presented my research to the GM of the entire Western U.S. region. I think that my summer experience has me re-energized for the working world, and given me the confidence for the incoming class that despite the downturn, some companies haven’t forgotten that the MBA intern is a valuable asset to have.
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