From Garden State to State of Mind: My MBA Summer Internship Journey
As I step back onto campus, the humid New Jersey air still clinging to my memories, I can't help but feel a sense of transformation. As part of my Full-Time MBA program this summer, I embarked on an internship that would challenge, inspire, and ultimately reshape my professional trajectory.
Johnson & Johnson welcomed me into their Data and Analytics Category Strategy team, where I was immediately immersed in the role of a Data and Analytics Category Strategy Manager intern. The fast-paced environment mirrored the intensity of our MBA coursework, but with real-world stakes that both thrilled and humbled me.
One of my most significant takeaways was the importance of cross-functional collaboration. I remember working alongside talented professionals from data science, engineering, and marketing departments, seeing firsthand how diverse teams can drive innovation. This experience taught me that effective communication and leadership are crucial in bringing together different perspectives, a principle I'm eager to apply in my future career.
Collaboration was at the heart of every project. Working alongside professionals from diverse backgrounds, I saw firsthand how the theories we discuss in class play out in practice. The cross-functional team dynamics reminded me of our MBA group projects, but with the added complexity of navigating corporate structures and stakeholder expectations.
Perhaps the most unexpected aspect of my internship was the need to make quick, data-driven decisions. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to navigate complex problems, manage product roadmaps, and prioritize features that aligned with both customer needs and business goals. This adaptability, I realized, is precisely what our MBA program has been preparing us for all along.
Returning to campus, I'm energized by the prospect of sharing my experiences with my fellow MBAs and prospective students. This internship has not only enhanced my professional toolkit but also clarified my post-MBA goals. I'm now more certain than ever on what direction I would want to pursue a career.
To my fellow MBAs preparing for their internships, I offer this advice:
embrace every opportunity, no matter how daunting it may seem. The growth happens outside your comfort zone, in those moments of uncertainty where you must trust your skills and push forward.
As I dive back into our fall semester at Fisher, I carry with me not just new skills and insights, but a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of our MBA program. The summer in New Jersey may be behind me, but the journey it has set me on is just beginning. Here's to the challenges, growth, and discoveries that await us all in this MBA adventure.
