Question

Topic: Career/Training

How Important Is My Internship Experience?

Posted by Anonymous on 6/5/2010 at 1:00 PM ET 50 Points
Hello fellow marketing professionals. I'm posting this question at a time when I need good career advice and given the fact that this forum gets visitors who are well-experienced in marketing from all over the world I look forward to receive your replies positively.

I'm currently interning in a not-so-well known but 38 years old importing business that is willing to launch a loyalty card program for the customers of premium brands of imported watches through its branded outlets. I have my own desk, PC, and I'm allowed to think "out-of-the-box" and challenge any and every business process within the organization, as the Managing Director has told me that he wanted to get the "fresher's view" to get out of inertia. The pay's higher than the industry average for an intern.

The problem's that this firm is not as much well-reputed or perceived as being a good place to work (culture, environment) compared to any global MNC marketing FMCG in my country (Unilever, banks to name a few). However, I've chosen to ignore the well-reputed MNC's because of :

1. high level of responsibility given to me as practically the left-hand of the General Manager of Marketing to develop the loyalty program from scratch. This would not be available in the MNC's, where even internships are highly-structured and they're given only a limited responsibility as well as freedom to think strategically.

2. the experience that I'm gathering by taking charge of an important program which an intern in any MNC wouldn't be allowed to do. I think this experience of building the program from the scratch can help me later in my life.

Will my decision hamper my probability of getting a high-paying job in an MNC after graduation? Though I'm getting paid double the amount per month than I would in any international bank or MNC, the average monthly salary of a full-time employee (after internship and graduation) in the MNC is always higher than that of an employee in my firm.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 6/5/2010 at 10:54 PM Accepted
    I doubt it would have a negative impact on how other company's look at you.

    Most interns are after 3 things:
    1) a possible job at that company. When you intern, you show that company what you are about, and if they like what they see, it is not uncommon for them to make an offer after you graduate. Internships are like long interviews.

    2) Experience - even if you don't get the job, you now have work experience you can show other companies. This will make you stand out over those who are graduating without experience.

    3) money - a short term need that some internships provide (sounds like yours does).

    Assuming you don't get (or want) a job at this company, make the most of your experience and it will help you down the road. Make sure you understand how to write up a job on a resume (quantifiable results, etc.), and then try to work towards getting experiences that are good for your resume (wile also being good for the company).
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