Internships
Students of the MBA program at the University of Alabama are expected to obtain meaningful summer employment between their two years of academic study.The
purpose is to allow them to apply the concepts that they have been studying in the classroom during their first year as an MBA student. A summer internship is also an opportunity for students to explore a company and an industry to evaluate fit and interest relative to a long term career. Hiring an MBA student from The University of Alabama has the potential to deliver several benefits to the participating organization. First and foremost, our students are committed to being professional, result-oriented managers and leaders. As such, a summer intern will deliver value to the hiring organizations in the positions and responsibilities defined. Also, hiring a summer intern is a relatively risk-free opportunity for an organization to “test-drive” a potential long-term employee. If the relationship is fruitful and the opportunity exists, the organization may consider offering full time employment upon graduation. If for any reason there is no long term match or need, a summer result would still have been delivered.
In addition to their undergraduate degree and any work experience obtained prior to admission into the MBA Program, students will be equipped with knowledge gained and case study examples explored in the following first year courses:
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Marketing
- Production Management
- Managerial Economics/Economics of the Firm
- Financial and Managerial Accounting
- Foundations of Financial Management
- Leadership and Ethics
- Statistics for Business Decisions
- Management Information Systems
- Business Intelligence/Decision Modeling
- Professional Development
Do you want to live and work abroad or to gain specific career-related work experience? International internships are an excellent way to apply ideas, concepts, theories and principles acquired in an academic program to the professional world. They allow you to establish and address personal and professional development goals, develop necessary employment skills and strategies, and identify your professional strengths and limitations while learning the structure and operation of an international organization.
Spending a summer abroad can be an exciting and valuable experience. Finding an internship in a foreign country, however, can be time consuming and challenging. It can require a great amount of research, contacting people internationally and arranging paperwork and travel details. Start early, at least six to nine months before the date you would like to start working.
Finding the right internship depends on several factors. A good place to start is by identifying your strengths and weaknesses and the kind of experience you want from the internship. If this is the first time that you will be traveling abroad, try to find an internship in a structured program or one with specific tasks that have been previously determined. This will make your job easier and maximize your learning and your performance.
Due to economic conditions and governmental factors, it is tough for individuals without professional assistance to obtain legal permission to work overseas; therefore, there are many organizations that exist for the purpose of helping students and recent graduates obtain the necessary documentation. We recommend that you begin your search with the The University of Alabama's Study Abroad Program.
Working abroad gives you the opportunity to gain insight into another culture, which you cannot get as a tourist. Living like a local gives you the chance to really experience a country, a culture, a language and another way of life. Participants return with rewards that last longer than an ordinary paycheck- a way to set themselves apart professionally, a group of international friends, a better language proficiency and confidence to live in a culturally diverse world.
For additional key tips for U.S. students looking to intern abroad, read the following article - "Key Tips for U.S. Students Looking for Internships Abroad"