Between the first and second year of MBA studies, students will generally be given a chance to put their skills to use in the real world of business as MBA interns.  Because many employers hire almost exclusively from MBA internship pools, this is an extremely important part of the MBA learning process. Some tips for fitting into the perfect MBA internship:

• It's never too early.
  Start thinking about where would be the best place for you to apply for MBA internship.  Once school actually begins, things will get very busy for you, so start thinking about this important aspect even before school begins.

Top MBA Internships... Some of the Top Internship available to MBA students Learn more....
MBA Summer Internships... First year MBA students can get exposure to the real business world during summer internships Learn more....

• Networking is a great way to locate an internship that will suit you. 
  MBA programs reach out to different people and groups; professors, students, speakers and alumni can all be sources that can help you get connected.
  
• Be creative.
  If you've decided on your ideal MBA internship at the perfect place, and the only problem is that this exact internship doesn't exactly exist- do your best to help create it.  Send your resume, get interviewed and convince everyone involved that your idea for your internship is not to be dismissed. Explore all the possibilities.

Register Now to Search Millions of Scholarships For Free

• See into the future. 
  Steven Covey advises that you begin with the end in mind. This particularly is true in regards to your MBA internship search.  Make sure you apply for internships that actually fit in with your plans for the future such as areas that you would consider living in and companies that you would enjoy working for.  Since MBA internships are actually geared to end with a real job offer of long-term employment, your career plans should be fairly concrete.

• Your internship will only be as good as you make it. 
  You alone are responsible for the success or failure of this recruiting process.  It will be a very disappointing experience both for you and the employer if you don't do your very best after obtaining an internship; even though being an intern is the entry-level and lowest starting position, it is just that – a starting position.  Everything in your attitude and effort will contribute to your own success or failure.

• Goals
  Among the first things you do on accepting an internship is to make sure of exactly what is expected of you both by your employer and the rest of the staff. Set goals to define the kind of work you will do together with the person directly responsible for setting your tasks.  Monitoring your progress should be an on-going process during your internship.

• Knock yourself out
  Try to learn as much as you can about the place of work that your MBA        internship is associated with.  Read professional literature about the industry or company, get to know the other employees in all the different departments and do your best work – always.
  
  Even when the task is of a boring nature, do it with all the enthusiasm you can muster.  Your supervisors need to know that you are quite capable of doing the basic jobs before giving you the more difficult, and more interesting, tasks.  Always do your best work.

• Show initiative
  Look for ways to learn. Try to go above and beyond the tasks you are assigned, looking for ways to participate and ask questions.  Attend decision-making meetings and discover opportunities to show others that you are interested in participating in special projects.

• Find a Mentor
  Ideally your mentor will be the person who is monitoring or supervising your work during your MBA internship or someone else who has a particularly interesting job.  Try to set up an on-going special time where the two of you can discuss your work, where you can ask questions about his work and career and find out what makes this a great place to work. 

• At work, be at work
  Show professional behavior, dress appropriately, don't gossip and be respectful of the administrative staff.  You, the intern, are at entry-level and should show how eager to please you are at all times.  Do not engage in office politics, do not use company resources for personal endeavors, or do anything else on company time that doesn't relate to your specific or non-specific tasks. Maintain a positive attitude at all times, including those that are stressful.

• Think about what you're doing
  During your MBA internship, take the time and make the effort to think deeply about what you are observing and how your time is spent.  Are your goals being met? Are you satisfied with your performance and with the tasks you've been given?  Do the company and the work suit you and your talents? Does it excite you or bore you? Take the time to assess how your internship is bringing you closer to your career goals and think about what your next steps will be.