What Is the Best Type of Internship During an MBA Program if I Want to Start My Own Business After Graduation?

If you are in the stages of earning your MBA so that you are well prepared to be a leader and start a business, you might be wondering why you should even consider applying for internship opportunities. If you are an entrepreneurial student, the idea of working as an intern may not seem appealing, but this should be the next step on your journey if you really want to succeed when you commit to starting your business. There is no denying the fact that starting a business is a very risky move, no matter how motivated, educated, or dedicated you are. By completing an internship in the industry in which you would like to become a dominant force, you can learn about important aspects of business. Read on to learn about the benefits of completing an internship and what types of opportunities that would fit your needs.

What Will the Right Internship Do For You?

If your goal after graduating from your MBA program is to start a business, you might think that applying for internship opportunities is a waste of time because you will not be submitting your resume to companies. Just because you do not have to worry about getting hired does not mean that you will not benefit from interning with the right company.

With the right internship, you can earn some beneficial skills by seeing how a competitor in your industry operates from within. You can see what procedures in the organization you might want to adopt, and what you would change or improve upon when you open your doors. As an intern, you will also have the opportunity to build professional connections and network with CEOs who will eventually become your peers. By gaining new internal skills, applying your skills, and building relationships, you are much more likely to succeed in your own business venture.

What Types of Internships Should You Apply for?

Now that you see the key benefits of interning, it is time to start looking for opportunities. You should always focus on listings in the industry that you are targeting while you are completing an MBA program. By choosing positions in the industry that you are targeting, you can learn about the supply chain, financial metrics, which customers to target, the competition’s product and how to reach a target market. You might see it as getting inside information, but interning is all about learning about the inner workings of a business from HR and IT to finance and management.

You are much more likely to benefit from interning with a smaller or mid-sized company because you will be able to see the decision-making process firsthand. It is also a good idea to attend trade shows and conferences to meet with executives and build connections that can lead to an internship opportunity. Companies in the process of downsizing may actually present a good opportunity because they are looking for the help.

Entrepreneurship can be rewarding, but earning your MBA does not mean you are ready to start your own business. If you really want to determine if you are ready, become and intern and see if you can handle every aspect of daily operations before you take the blind leap.

Related Resource: Before You Start a Business, Do an Internship