community service or internship experience?

Burb_Parent
Sun, 30 Dec 2007 08:17:59 +0000

Community service is not an important part of the general job market, although I’m sure there are some places that would value it. I’m assuming that you want to get an MBA after graduation or you wouldn’t have posted on this forum.

If you want to get an MBA or have decided on a career in business, then your sister is correct. A summer internship at IBM would be good. However, after reading your post, it sounds to me like you really want the community service. If that is the case, go for it. You still have time to decide what you want to do after graduation. A half-hearted attitude during a summer internship will not be an advantage to you or to IBM.

If and when you do an internship, in addition to getting experience and the long-term possibility of a job offer, you will also find people willing to mentor you and recommend you to friends for jobs within the company or outside. You will find that an important part of a career is based on who you know and who will support you. An astute internee will start building this network.