How to Combine an MBA Program With a Rotational Internship Program

If you’re thinking about getting your MBA, you might be wondering about the best way to set yourself up for success during the program. Is there something you can do to maximize your experience and ensure that you’re learning as much as possible while in business school? The answer is yes. In addition to traditional internships and externships, a great way to get some hands-on experience in a variety of different roles is through a rotational program. A type of internship designed to give you a feel for several areas of a business, including marketing, finance and sales, rotational programs can last anywhere from six months to two years, with rotations typically lasting between three to six months.

Interested in adding a rotational internship program to your MBA degree? Here’s how to combine an MBA program with a rotational one.

Research rotational programs related to your MBA program

With many large companies recruiting MBA candidates directly from business schools, the best way to find a rotational program is by researching the programs that are affiliated with your school. Set up some time to speak to a program adviser and ask them about the various aspects of each program including the duration, management structure and the exact roles to which you’ll be exposed. With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll be able to narrow down your options to the ones that are most relevant to you.

Select a program that matches your desired industry and position

Once you’ve done your research, it’s time to create a shortlist of the programs that closely match your career goals. This means selecting programs that are within your chosen industry — for example, technology or finance — and also programs that fit your desired duration. The best way to do this is by making a list of eight to 10 programs that interest you and ranking them in order of preference. While we recommend applying to as many of these as possible, you should aim to apply to at least five in order to give yourself the best chance of success.

Work with program administrators to create an optimal schedule

The final step in seamlessly combining your MBA program with a rotational program is to discuss your course load and responsibilities with program administrators on both sides of the equation. This is a great way to ensure that everyone is aware of your full workload and that they can accommodate any issues that may come up.

Combining an MBA program with a rotational program is a wonderful way to gain hands-on experience in a number of different roles. By following these tips, you’ll be able to expand your skill set and maximize your time in business school.

Next, learn more about grad school such as What Are the Different Types of Graduate Degrees? and get more career tips for internships and entry-level jobs such as 3 Common Internship Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.