Internship Tips

By Tobi Olubanjo

As the fall semester ramps up, the many worries of first year MBAs are perhaps uncountable but at the forefront of each’s mind are simply fitting in, surviving, and of course, securing an internship for next summer.  Bagging that summer internship for summer should certainly be the priority number one; every other issue will be easily mitigated by the influence of social and environmental forces (professors, classmates, grades, loans and scholarships, ego, and pride, just to mention a few). It’s important that first years not be fooled by the number of months in the calendar year because time is your biggest enemy in B-school. Before you know it your first assignments and group projects are due, career management and club events are scheduled, midterms are only a few weeks away, and final exams are knocking on the door. You might not even realize that you are still trying to adjust to being a student again, never mind the fact that you haven’t yet secured an internship. So here are some tips to help you lock down a summer internship.

1.    Get your resume and elevator pitch approved by OCM ASAP

      First on your to-do list should be getting your resume critiqued by the MBA Office of Career Management. They can help you transform your resume into a passport that will clearly demonstrate where you have been and perhaps land you multiple interviews. If you can simultaneously work on your resume and elevator pitch you will be ahead of the game as the few sentences comprising your story will be the chorus you will be singing for the next two years.

2.     Be sure to attend the NBMBAA and/or NSHMBAA conferences (or similar)

I recommend that first years attend one of these national conference no matter what ethnic group you might belong to. These conferences are open to all MBAs and one don’t hesitate to become a member of the associated organization.The only place in the country you will find multiple companies (perhaps 500 or more) under one roof recruiting students like you. With so many recruiters present, you have an opportunity to practice your elevator pitch with firms that you may be less interested in before approaching companies of interest. (Remember, the more often you practice and deliver your elevator pitch the better it becomes as you learn to easily adapt and fine tune it to your audience)

3.      Attend corporate presentations and other events both on- and off-campus

Corporate presentations and similar events are underestimated by many MBAs  because most students don’t expect to get hired at these events. The events are designed to educate students about different firms and their operations and strategy. However, one thing most students don’t know is that these events are also the best place to establish relationships with recruiters or other representative (sometimes even hiring managers) who can later help you to land interviews and eventually offers. Once these relationships have been established, they can be a valuable asset to rely on.

4.     Always do your due diligence

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of doing your due diligence and research on companies of interest. This effort will pay back in dividends as it provides a sense of understanding of companies of interest. The school library has all the resources you will need to complete your research on any company of interest. Equip yourself with the information that will come in handy during conversations with recruiters and help yourself formulate the right questions to get the recognition and attention that differentiates you from the masses.

5.     Always try to practice your elevator pitch

Attend as many events that will allow you to practice telling your story as you are able. Your elevator pitch will get better every time you recite it. It will also give you opportunity for improvement and modification based on people’s critique and questions.  You can practice with recruiters, 2^nd year students, OCM staff, professors, alumni, and classmates

6.     Look for internship opportunities everywhere   

Maximize your chances of landing interviews by applying for opportunities posted outside of Symplicity. Some of these don’t require cover letters and all you have to do is upload your resume. Job search engines such as Indeed.com, SimplyHired.com, LinkUp.com, CPGJobs.com, and many more are useful.

“Look! Mommy’s friend is on TV!"

By Amanda Gonzalez

I’m on my feet in the second row of section 128 at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway. It is the first quarter of the first home football game of the season – Rutgers vs. Howard – and the crowd is in full force. Cue the media time-out. I look up to see Rohit Sood, RBS Class of 2005 on the big screen and I immediately lift my four-month old son towards the screen and say, “Look! Mommy’s friend is on TV!”

It wasn’t the cold beer still sitting in my tummy stomach from our tailgate that spurred my excitement. In fact, I had met Rohit, along with several other outstanding alumni working in various industries, during orientation. He spoke on a panel coordinated by the Office of Career Management and later attended the alumni mixer where he was inundated with questions from eager first-years. For the record, I wasn’t one of those first-years. I elected to join the Marketing students who had Kristen Bastian cornered, feverishly firing question after question her way. Kristen, a recent alum and fast-rising product manager at Church & Dwight Co., maintained her smile and her enthusiasm for both her job and the RBS community.

Seeing Rohit’s face on the big screen next to our RBS logo was a subtle reminder of how proud I am to be apart of this community. It was yet another confirmation that I had made the right choice in deciding to attend RBS.

My name is Amanda Gonzalez. I am a first-year concentrating in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. I look forward to sharing my journey over the next two years with you!

Say "Yes" to RBS

By John Huntsman

 

The first week of the 2012 fall semester is officially in the books. This semester is known to be quite rigorous for first year MBAs, with sleep turning into a rare commodity. Time will most certainly fly, so before we find ourselves leaving for winter break and saying "that went fast," here are a few highlight-worthy observations from the journey so far. 

Back in July some of the first year students attended "Candidates Day." This was a lunch event hosted by the MBA Admissions Department in which various staff members and second year students gave prospective students a personable glimpse into the RBS experience. Meeting future classmates helped to quell some of the initial apprehension we were experiencing, as we realized we were all in this together. Sitting next to Dean Vera at lunch gave us a first taste of being "grilled," but also the sense that the staff at Rutgers was committed to pushing us outside of our comfort zones. This was also the first time we were introduced to Dr. Lydon's engaging speaking style, in which she described Thomas Friedman's advice to his daughters about thriving in today's hyper-connected world.
 

Orientation followed later in the summer. The Student Services team did a great job of orchestrating the event, as well as imparting a feeling of camaraderie among students and faculty. JIMPACT whipped us up into a high-energy state that still resonates. The theme of "Level 5 Managers" that was introduced is still being stressed, and has us thinking about the philosophy of business. Our resolve was truly tested at the etiquette lunch when a group of hungry MBAs had to sit in front of their food for what seemed like an eternity, although we learned a few things that we'll take with us (napkin on the chair when you leave the table!). Orientation culminated with a cruise in which Mary Ann from Student Services showed all of us how to shred it up on the dance floor. 

And here we are now, starting to get into the rhythm of the fall semester. Top of mind is prioritizing in order to find the balance between academics, career, and fun, of course. One can feel a sense of positive energy radiating throughout the MBA community that amplifies the excitement we all had when we said "yes" to RBS. The vision of ascending the ranks both as individuals and as a graduate program has been imparted on everyone involved. It is truly exciting to be a part of the RBS community and having a chance to play a role in bringing this program's vision into fruition. 

Best of luck to the second year students with putting the bow on your MBA careers, and to first year students with diving in head first! Here we go.