Some Helpful Summer Internship Advice From a Smith MBA

Allison Davern, a first-year, full-time MBA student at the University of Maryland Smith School of Business, recently posted a checklist for all summer internship-bound MBAs. Davern, whose internship will be working in general management at Vanguard in Philadelphia, put together this list of things for fellow interns to keep in mind this summer:

1. Remember to network: Davern explains that while performing well on your summer assignments is important, relationship building and connecting with your summer colleagues is equally vital. Networking is key in the business world. The people you meet and the impression you leave at the company you’re working in may determine your future with them.
2. Don’t forget your internship is an extended interview: Davern refreshes her fellow interns’ memories that each day of an internship is a mini interview, and how it’s always good to put your best foot forward. Everything factors into whether or not you may receive a full-time offer at the end of the summer or at graduation.
3. It’s a mutual interview, too: It’s important to weigh things out yourself—the company also wants to leave a positive impression on you, so getting to know the firm’s culture and opportunities should determine if it that firm is right for you.
4. Try and make a difference: A summer internship is a great opportunity for you to leave your mark at a company. Show potential employers just how much you can bring to the table, and what your true value is.
5. And get those suits dry cleaned: Always be dressed to impress! First impressions are vital!

Several course options are available to students required to or interested in receiving credit for their internship experience. You can find a complete list of options for business students outlined here. These courses are designed to complement supervised internships by helping students to reflect on the internship experience and connect with their academic coursework.

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