Summer’s not over yet: HEC Paris MBA students reflect on their internships
HEC Paris MBA students reflect on their summer internships: Vishal enhanced commercial processes in Chile, Armin thrived at Porsche Consulting in Germany, Tolulope gained insights into beverages in Kenya, Sami contributed to real estate in Dubai, Anna accelerated social enterprises in South Africa, and Fatima navigated healthcare consulting in London.
Internships can be a strategic step on the road to making the famed MBA “triple jump”—changing sector, function and location—and they typically offer great networking opportunities and work experience. Every year, about 60 percent of our students choose to do a summer internship as part of their HEC Paris MBA experience.
We asked a few of our January 2021 HEC Paris MBA students to reflect on what their summer internship has meant to them—and to their future career. Here’s what they had to say.
Vishal Datwani
IRDP MBA Summer Intern – Commercial Excellence at Janssen Pharmaceuticals of Johnson & Johnson in Santiago, Chile
Job before the MBA:
Commercial Finance Manager – Manufacturing & Supply Chain at British American Tobacco Argentina
Post-MBA career goal:
Continue my career as a Finance Business Partner in a new industry and a new location outside of Latin America, with a long-term goal of becoming a CFO or Director of Finance.
How did you learn about this internship?
At the beginning of my MBA journey, I attended the annual MBA Internship Day hosted by the HEC Paris Career Center. Johnson & Johnson was one of the companies that came and talked about their career opportunities, specifically about their International Recruitment & Development Programme.
Describe your internship?
Working within the commercial function of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, I was tasked with transforming one of their main commercial processes. I used analytics tools (Qlikview) to enhance the data collection process and the analysis and decision making through various dashboards that could be connected and linked to other sources of data. I had always worked with the output of these kind of tools (dashboards within Power Bi) but this internship gave me the chance to create and develop my own tool. This was an absolutely priceless opportunity, one that will help me throughout my career.
That said, what I enjoyed the most is the company’s culture and how, despite a difficult scenario (working from home for 7 of the 9 weeks that I was doing the internship) there was a genuine desire to help interns to develop and grow, and at the same time work towards our personal aspirations. I also appreciated the opportunity to return to Chile to visit family and friends.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Accepting that plans can change is my biggest takeaway from this internship—and from my entire MBA experience. I’ve always considered myself flexible and adaptable, but this has been completely strengthened and even put to the test because of Covid.
In my case, interning in Chile (with a career goal of not returning to Latin America) seems like totally turning away from my original plan, but the opportunity was so good that I simply had to take it. The internship was even more impactful than I expected, and I wouldn’t have had the same learning experience if I hadn’t accepted Johnson & Johnson’s offer. I definitely recommend being flexible enough to adapt your plans to incorporate new, exciting opportunities.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
The internship experience is an ideal way to understand your “fit” in the company: learning the culture, the possible career paths, and if what you stand for aligns with the company’s values. The key is to network outside of your project and across the entire company, if possible. I believe that being genuine, and operating with total honesty both with yourself and your peers is the main thing that determines if you will have a successful and fulfilling MBA internship experience.
Armin Rachwalik
Consulting Intern, Porsche Consulting in Hamburg, Germany
Job before the MBA:
Project Manager, Additive Manufacturing at Airbus
Post-MBA career goal:
Consulting
How did you learn about this internship?
Since participating in a business-plan competition in high school, I have constantly been in touch with Porsche Consulting. Inspired by their pragmatic but impactful solutions that I experienced first-hand as a client while at Airbus, I have always wanted to gain deeper insights into their projects and their methods. So, with the start of my MBA, I was more than excited to reach out to my former contacts and apply for an internship.
Describe your internship:
As part of Porsche’s Consumer Goods practice, I worked on projects for external clients. For three months, I had the chance to work across diverse fields. First, I worked on a strategic profitability project for a German food manufacturer. I supported the project team with market research and data processing to create a strong base for analyzing the client’s processes. I also prepared a strategy workshop for an organic dairy company, using several tools that I learned during my second-term strategy classes at the HEC Paris MBA.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Consulting is a fast-paced environment with a strong learning curve. After all the stories that I had heard about consulting, I was impressed by the great team spirit and mutual support at Porsche Consulting. In fact, the experience reminded me a lot of our MBA group work. The internship showed me that consulting is an appealing environment for me, one where I can apply my competencies and skills. This experience left me convinced that consulting is the right sector for me after my MBA.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
First, be aware that internships come with a high opportunity cost. You are choosing to do one instead of spending the summer preparing for interviews, starting your own business or simply enjoying the time with all the inspiring people that you have met during the MBA program. From my point of view, an internship is the right choice only if you want to change your career and test out whether this target environment is the right choice for you. During the internship, I can recommend using the student bonus: approach lots of colleagues to figure out whether the company and industry perfectly fits your personal goals.
Tolulope Disu
Project Manager at Kenyan Originals in Nairobi, Kenya
Job before the MBA:
General Manager, Nordic Degrees Ltd
Post-MBA career goal:
Consumer Goods Sector
How did you learn about this internship?
I found this internship through my personal network
Describe your internship:
I was in charge of putting together the Route To Market Strategy for Kenyan Originals (KO). KO is a Kenyan beverage company specializing in ciders, tonics and ice teas. The opportunity allowed me to get insights into the daily activities of the food & beverage industry, which is my post-MBA target. I was able to interact with all the relevant stakeholders and understand the opportunities and challenges faced by the Industry.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
Despite being an expert in only one industry for most of my career, I have a lot of transferable skills that can bring value to different industries.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
Use the internship as a way to try something different from what you have been doing. Try a different sector and perhaps a different role. You took this leap of faith by going into the MBA to start a journey of self-discovery, so take advantage of every opportunity to try something new. The worst that can happen is learning that a sector isn’t a good fit for you and adjusting accordingly 🙂
Sami Dabbour
MBA Summer Intern – Senior Consultant at Kearney, in Dubai, UAE
Job before the MBA:
Management consultant based out of Dubai, UAE
Post-MBA career goal:
Finding a position in Europe
How did you learn about this internship?
Through my network and connections
Describe your internship:
I supported a real estate authority in developing PPP models with various operating, pricing and risk-sharing models to engage the private sector in real-estate development in the country. In this role, I had to ensure constant alignment with client stakeholders about strategy and different models (focusing, for example, on the legal, financial, and operational aspects). I had to engage global experts from other countries to gather insights about their experiences implementing similar measures and draw on their lessons learned. I also had to brainstorm on a daily basis with my team about how to push this project forward, sharing with them insights I had gathered, the challenges I was facing and potential solutions to those challenges.
The best aspect of this experience was learning in a fast-moving environment, as well as the great people I worked with. I was exposed to interesting concepts about policy-making, financing instruments and the processes needed to establish a new business. These insights will be beneficial if I ever choose to become an entrepreneur.
It was also interesting to be surrounded by bright people who encouraged me to learn and push the boundaries of my knowledge. They also helped me easy integrate within the team. I realized how much cohesion within the team is crucial for the success of a consulting project.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
To do this internship, I had to start immediately, long before the traditional start of summer internships. The MBA’s Academic Team was very flexible and understanding, and together we decided to delay my third semester of studies. My biggest takeaway, therefore, is that you should be ready to change your plans based on different variables. Big opportunities might present themselves at inopportune moments. You must be ready to analyze and assess the costs and benefits of each move. Life is too unpredictable to make a long-term plan and stick to it. Be open and ready embrace change.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
My first tip: There are three things to do during an MBA to realize the next step in your career, and they are networking, networking, and networking. My internship experience is a real proof of that. Do your research, reach out to the right people, write customized messages, and don’t get frustrated if they don’t answer back. Make sure to network with people from different backgrounds, industries, functions, and positions to gather as many perspectives as you can.
My second tip is to enjoy your internship. You have the chance to meet new bright people with diverse backgrounds and opinions. Hear them out to widen your perspectives about life, and learn from them. Enjoy your limited time with them. They ultimately might be the ones who will reach out to you in the future with a great opportunity.
Anna Finizio
MBA Fellow at Impact Amplifier in Cape Town, South Africa
Job before the MBA:
Senior Financial Analyst at Johnson & Johnson
Post-MBA career goal:
I am passionate about sustainability and social impact. My goal is to help corporates, start-ups or public institutions create a positive impact in the world alongside their financial returns.
How did you learn about this internship?
I wanted to use my summer internship to gain experience in the impact-investing field in emerging markets. Through LinkedIn, I networked with a lot of people working in this field. One of them suggested pursuing the fellowship at Impact Amplifier and then put me in touch with the recruiter.
Describe your internship:
Impact Amplifier is an advisory firm working in the impact investing and social-enterprise acceleration field. I helped evaluate and select social enterprises wanting to enter into an acceleration program, I contributed to setting up a new tech challenge fund promoted by a European country in South Africa, and I participated in creating a new tool for corporates to assess suppliers’ social and environmental impact.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
There are incredible opportunities for social innovation in South Africa. There are a lot of minds and ideas that can create a positive impact in society alongside financial returns and economic development.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
Be curious, open-minded, and humble. Try to completely immerse in the new company culture and use any opportunity to learn about the company and industry you are working in.
Irakli Cheishvili
Global Internship Program (GIP) at the International Finance Corporation, World Bank, working remotely in their Financial Institutions Group’s (FIG) Digital Finance team
Job before the MBA:
Digital Product Owner at Bank of Georgia
Post-MBA career goal:
Product Management in Big-Tech or Consulting
How did you learn about this internship?
Through HEC’s Career Center
Describe your internship:
I was involved in my team’s two major projects:
In collaboration with an external consulting firm, we developed a digital maturity assessment tool for partner FIs.
I also participated in Digilab Finance, the IFC’s digital transformation acceleration program, where my team assisted enrolled FI’s in developing their long-term digital strategies.
The best part of the experience was observing how our guidance helped one of the banks launch a very rapid transformation process.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
As IFC has a truly global footprint, it provided a helicopter view on the differences/similarities between FIs across different regions. That, in conjunction with countless meetings with experienced colleagues and the access to World Bank’s research materials, resulted in a wonderful learning experience.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
The company that you will join will most probably have very talented and experienced individuals. Be pro-active in connecting with colleagues and do not hesitate to pick their brains. Wisdom they can share can be extremely valuable for your future endeavors.
Fatima Dilruba
Strategy, Insights and Planning Consultant, ZS Associates in London, England
Job before the MBA:
Before the HEC Paris MBA, I worked for 5 years in the telecom industry as a Zonal Sales Manager and then as the Market Acquisition Head for Fixed Line Services at Airtel. When I quit Airtel, I joined my father in establishing our own manufacturing firm, Precision Electrodynamics. As an entrepreneur, it is difficult to specify an exact role as I ended up donning multiple hats, from project management and marketing to recruitment and finance.
Post-MBA career goal:
I love the process of problem solving, irrespective of the industry. Given my interests, I wish to explore Consulting as a possible career path.
How did you learn about this internship?
I was already familiar with ZS Associates, but I became aware of this specific internship opportunity through an email shared by the MBA Consulting Club.
Describe your internship:
ZS Associates is a management-consulting firm that provides services for clients in the healthcare, private equity and technology space.
I was part of the Patient & Consumer Health division for Europe and was staffed on projects for pharmaceutical and med-tech clients. I was given clear ownership of some client deliverables which required direct client interaction (I had not expected this since I was just an intern).
The approach to projects is similar to how you would approach a consulting case interview with the clarifying questions and structuring methods. This is followed by analysis and strategy development that involves discussions with clients to check feasibility and preferences. And finally, there is a sense of achievement and often celebration when we complete all deliverables and present them before the client.
What is your biggest takeaway from the experience?
ZS has the concept of a Personal Development Coach (PD) with whom we connect every fortnight to discuss our personal goals and overall journey at ZS. My interactions with my PD Coach, who was also the Managing Principal of the firm, is definitely the highlight of my internship.
During the course of my internship, I was able to understand the nuances of consulting and verify that my skillset is compatible to those required by the profession. Most importantly, I enjoyed the work that I did.
What tips do you have for other students to make the most out of their MBA internship experience?
During the application process: The cover letter and resume are the firm’s primary window to your personality. Invest a fair amount of time on them and ensure that you clearly communicate why the firm’s decision to consider you would be a win-win for both. Run the documents by as many people as possible, while judiciously adopting their advice.
Before the interview process, reach out to current employees (preferably HEC Paris alums) who can share their experiences and likely evaluation criteria.
During the internship: Identify goals you wish to achieve during the internship. It could be as simple as “learn how to manage client interactions” or as specific as “interact with members of the pricing division”. Most importantly, keep track of your progress so that you can make the right choices during the internship.
At the start, there is a possibility that you might not be staffed on the most amazing or exciting projects. In such a scenario, don’t worry. Use every opportunity to prove your credibility and commitment to the tasks assigned to you. Once your team has confidence in you and your work, the exciting projects will come your way.
Schedule time with senior management to learn more about their division. They would have been in your position at some point of tine and would be able to give valuable insights. However, don’t forget to prepare well before such interactions.