2024 Internship Highlights: MBA Students Talk Impact and Growth

To complete their Summer Business Experience, a curricular requirement for all rising second-year MBAs, the Full-Time MBA Class of 2025 has been busy tackling internships, nonprofit and start-up work, and research assistantships. Students spend six to 12 weeks working and networking with employers like McDonald’s Corp., Barclays Investment Bank, Mars Inc., and more to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom and prepare for their careers post-graduation.

In addition to internships, students also gain real-world experience in their fields of interest through Multidisciplinary Action Projects and receive ongoing support through a variety of Career Development Office resources.

To learn more about some of the internships that Full-Time MBA students took on this summer, we asked eight current MBAs to tell us about their experiences and what they learned on the job.

Richa Agarwal, MBA ’25

Internship role and company

Boston Consulting Group, summer consultant

Internship location

Chicago, Illinois

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

Having worked in boutique consulting across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, I was eager to expand my horizons by learning from a top management consulting firm like BCG. The opportunity to work with large-scale clients on high-impact projects across a wide range of sectors offered an unparalleled learning experience. BCG’s reputation for driving global change, combined with exposure to complex problem-solving and collaboration with thought leaders, provided exceptional opportunities for professional and personal growth. My conversations with BCG representatives throughout the process helped me visualize this journey and reaffirmed my strong interest in the role.

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

The Career Development Office, along with the Consulting Club at Ross, were crucial to my recruitment preparation. As an international student unfamiliar with the U.S. recruitment process, I deeply valued the structure, resources, and guidance provided through weekly functional accountability career team groups and club education sessions. Additionally, the support from peer and staff coaches, MBA2s, and my cohort was instrumental, offering invaluable insights, mentorship, and a strong sense of community throughout the process.

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

During my 10-week internship, I was staffed on a ‘consumer’ transformation project for a Chicago-based client, and I worked closely with my team in the office. Each day started with a morning huddle, where we’d discuss a 'question of the day' to energize and bond as a team, followed by aligning on daily goals. Throughout the day, we proactively communicated with managers and cross-functional teams, collaborating on storyboarding and brainstorming sessions as challenges arose. Beyond project work, a variety of in-house activities, team dinners, and exciting intern events made each day dynamic, fun, and full of memorable moments.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

The sense of community! From the extensive mentorship support to Friday happy hours, I never felt alone during my first job in the U.S. I had unparalleled access to BCG leadership, peer buddies, senior mentors, and networks like the Asian and women’s groups. Between leadership panels, “passport lunches” with senior partners, office buffet lunches, a lakefront festival by Lake Michigan, boat days with the intern class, and the occasional treasure hunt, the kindness of people around and a strong sense of community made every day not just a great learning experience, but something I eagerly looked forward to.

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

The Ross network has been an incredible source of support throughout the entire process. Before the interview, alums provided candid insights, helped with case practice, and connected me with relevant people at the firm. I also found a strong Ross presence at the Chicago office during my internship, where Project Leaders and Partners were always available to guide me. Some alums I grew close to actively rooted for me, offering regular check-ins to help me navigate the initial uncertainty, build my network along the way, and also manage the nerves around receiving full-time offers. I am deeply grateful and hope to give back to the Ross community in the same way. Go Blue!

Rena Lahn, MBA/MS ’25

Internship role and company

Mars, climate sustainability intern 

Internship location

Chicago, Illinois

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role? 

Mars was at the top of my company list coming into Michigan Ross – mostly due to their ‘Sustainable in a Generation’ plan and their engagement with farmers in their supply chain. Not only do they produce well-known and beloved brands (think M&M’s, Skittles, KIND, Starburst, etc.), but they are truly committed to funding, supporting, and engaging with sustainable agriculture practices. 

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

I was very nervous going into interviews. Ross offered many great options for mock interviews that really calmed my nerves! Additionally, peer coaches were a wonderful resource, from giving advice to helping negotiate offers.

What was a typical day like for you at your internship? 

There was never a truly typical day for me during this internship. I needed to tackle so many different subjects and talk to so many people that my days varied extensively. Tasks for me included data analysis, interviewing stakeholders, engaging and getting to know team members, and exploring the Mars Chicago office; including the M&M’s store!  

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

The people! From Ross alums in the building to other MBA students to every Mars employee I interacted with during my summer, everyone was super welcoming and kind. I got introduced to so many different parts of the business and even got to visit a veterinary hospital (also part of the Mars portfolio). 

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship? 

Since my internship search was mostly off-campus, I relied heavily on Ross alums and peers to help guide me through the recruiting process, from making connections to putting companies on my radar. During my internship, I was able to connect with Ross alums working at Mars and learn more about the company from their perspectives. 

Abhy Kheepal, MBA ’25

Internship role and company

McDonald's, customer experience, strategic innovation, and planning intern

Internship location

Chicago, Illinois

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

My future career goal is centered around innovation, specifically how digital technologies can be used to improve the physical retail experience. Not only is McDonald's a leader in branding and operations, but this role also provided the perfect blend of strategy, innovation, and customer experience. McDonald's has a deep focus on continuous improvement and driving growth across their operations, which was something that attracted me to the organization from the beginning.  

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

The key resource that helped me was working with the Career Development Office FACT group leaders, who are MBA2s that successfully recruited in areas that I wanted to explore. Conducting resume reviews, mock interviews, and case studies with them got me comfortable with the recruiting process and helped pave the path for how I wanted to tackle my own recruiting journey. 

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

I started each day with a McDonald's oatmeal from the HQ McCafé; from there, each day varied. Some days, we would facilitate a prioritization workshop for the senior leadership team; other days, we would test new concepts and improvement areas in the mock restaurant; and sometimes, we would work with teams from international markets to think through how to drive efficiency in their operations. 

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I really enjoyed the hands-on testing we did to experiment with new, innovative ideas before officially launching them. We simulated real-life ordering conditions in test kitchens, guest areas, and drive-thrus to determine the impact our ideas would have on the overall customer and crew experience. Based on the production results and participant feedback, we were able to determine if and how we needed to tweak these ideas for future expansion. 

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship? 

I reached out to an alum during the interview process who used to work at McDonald's to get first-hand insights into the culture and structure of the organization. She was extremely helpful and contextualized everything I had read and learned about during my prep. I leveraged a lot of her insights in the interview to better relate to the interviewer.  

Carrie Hitt, MBA ’25 

Internship role and company

AbbVie Inc., commercial leader program MBA intern 

Internship location

Chicago, Illinois

 Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

Coming from a healthcare finance background, I knew my recruiting journey would focus on finding companies that centered around the patient. I wanted to intern at AbbVie because of its Midwestern values, opportunities to be close to patients, and the Commercial Leader Program that would allow me to grow at the company. AbbVie's full-time CLP is three rotations of marketing, sales, and market access over four years. I felt the longer length of this rotational program would allow me to dive fully into teams and projects during the CLP. 

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

Ross has a lot of opportunities to pursue healthcare. I joined the Healthcare and Life Sciences Club to learn about all the sub-sectors within healthcare. My pharmaceutical experience was limited, so attending the Sunday sessions, boot camp, and symposium were crucial for me to understand the industry ahead of my internship. I also took classes such as Comparative Healthcare Strategies and diligenced healthcare companies as a Fellow in the Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund. Finally, I only considered healthcare-focused projects for MAP and helped University of Michigan Health develop a new operational structure. 

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

Over the summer, I worked for the Inflation Reduction Act team at AbbVie. I developed an internal methodology for approaching the drug price negotiation with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. During the day, I researched therapeutic alternatives for each negotiated drug, developed drug price estimates, and discussed findings with teams across the firm. Every day was filled with collaborative, cross-functional work and exposure to all of AbbVie's branded products.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

During my summer, I participated in AbbVie's Week of Possibilities, where AbbVie teams spend the day giving back to the broader Chicago community. My entire team went to a northern Chicago community high school and demolished eight classrooms that another team would come into to install updated equipment. We bonded over the physical challenge and got to share the experience with teams across the company.   

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

Michigan Ross alums form a strong, supportive community that seeks to help other Rossers succeed. Throughout my recruitment journey, Ross alums were eager to discuss their careers, offer advice on companies and interview strategies, and provide connections for further networking. During my internship, I had Ross alums who offered to run through my final presentation with me and gave me feedback ahead of presenting it to the company. The support from Ross alums helped me feel confident recruiting and completing the internship. 

Trenton Hill, MBA ’25

Internship role and company

Barclays Investment Bank, consumer and retail investment banking associate

Internship location

New York City, New York

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

During my recruiting process, the openness and support from Barclays bankers made it clear it was a place where I could grow. The strong Ross presence reinforced my sense of community, and I was drawn to Barclays as a Bulge Bracket firm for the broad exposure to its full range of products. 

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

At Ross, investment banking recruiting is a key focus. The Investment Banking Club leaders and the Career Development Office equipped me with all the tools necessary for success. I had access to Treks in key financial hubs like Chicago and New York, networking opportunities with Ross alums in the industry, and comprehensive prep materials such as Wall Street prep and other training resources. All that was left for me was to show up, apply myself, and execute when the opportunities arose.

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

At Barclays, I had the rare opportunity to work as an intern on a live sell-side M&A deal. My typical day involved attending client meetings to discuss strategy and deal progress while also building and refining pitch books tailored to the client’s needs. I performed financial analysis, updated valuation models, and created comparable company and precedent transaction analyses.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I thoroughly enjoyed working in New York City with top consumer and retail companies and gaining valuable hands-on experience. The opportunity to apply and sharpen my technical skills and financial acumen was a key highlight, as it directly aligned with my goal of building practical, real-world expertise.

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

Before my internship, Ross alums were incredibly helpful, offering their time and advice as I prepared for Wall Street. Every alum I reached out to was eager to connect. With Ross well represented across a range of banks, from bulge brackets to elite boutiques, I tapped into this network for valuable insights. During my internship, Ross alums at my bank provided ongoing mentorship and guidance, making me feel fully supported. Their presence made a real difference in my experience.

Tiffany Lee, MBA ’25

Internship role and company

Jones Lang LaSalle, MBA consulting intern within the financial services vertical

Internship location

Chicago, Illinois

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

I recruited for consulting roles, and the company intrigued me because I had not even considered corporate real estate. JLL is an industry leader with a very collaborative, supportive, and entrepreneurial culture, which has aligned with my favorite things about the Ross community as well.

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

Consulting Club, Career Development Office appointments, and my CDO Peer Coach and FACT group were the primary methods through which I updated my resume, applied for jobs, and prepared for case interviews. 

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

My day-to-day picked up significantly after I reached the halfway point in my internship. I worked on two different consulting projects at JLL, as well as a final capstone project that required me to schedule meetings with senior leadership within the financial services division. On average, this looked like two hours of focus work in the morning (creating slides, drafting communication materials, updating materials for client or manager review), and the remainder of my day was filled with internal and external meetings, as well as updating any deliverables as feedback comes in from my team or the client.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I enjoyed the variety of work that I did during my internship. Not only was I staffed on two projects, but I had unparalleled access to senior management within the company across the entire organization. The culture is incredibly open and supportive, and the opportunity to interface with so many experienced individuals who have a vested interest in the MBA internship program and wanted to make sure I succeeded during the summer and in the future, whether at JLL or elsewhere.

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

I absolutely love Ross alums. They were a giant help before I started this summer. Internship recruiting can be an incredibly stressful time, especially as Winter A/B progresses. I had the opportunity to connect with alums all throughout the year during traditional consulting recruiting, conferences, and through CDO-facilitated meetings. I’m still in contact with some of the alums that I spoke with at a variety of different companies because they expressed interest in my career and had more experience and perspective to add to my internship search. 

Dillon Rich, MBA ’25

Internship role and company

Sands Capital, global ventures intern

Internship location

Arlington, Virginia / Washington D.C.

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

Entering business school, my primary professional goal was to land a summer internship in venture capital, so I was thrilled to accept an offer from Sands Capital. In addition, the global ventures team at Sands focuses on the area of investing that excites me the most: early-stage technology companies. I knew that if I joined Sands, I would be able to leverage the firm's incredible reputation to access top-tier deal flow, meet innovative technology founders, and collaborate with industry-leading investors. Sands Capital is also known for its highly supportive culture, and I was excited to learn from colleagues across the firm’s multiple investment strategies.

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

Joining the venture capital Career Development Office FACT group, taking on leadership roles in the Wolverine Venture Fund as well as the Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Club, and participating in programs including the Zell Lurie Institute’s Silicon Valley Experience and the CDO’s Venture Capital Trek helped me better understand the industry, establish key alum relationships, and develop technical skill sets that allowed me to hit the ground running when I arrived at Sands Capital. I also would not have gotten this role without the support of my peers, especially the second-year MBAs who guided me through the process.

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

My role and responsibilities included supporting the global ventures investment team across all aspects of the venture investing process, which includes thesis development, market research, identification of potential investment opportunities, and investment due diligence, with a focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning, cybersecurity, and healthcare technology companies. I spent a significant portion of my day evaluating company pitches and sharing ideas with other venture capitalists, both in person and over Zoom. I also worked on a summer capstone project where I presented why I believe we should explore a specific industry subsector as well as identify related investment opportunities to my fund’s general partners.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

I absolutely loved meeting company founders and listening to their pitches. Speaking with early-stage technology leaders was infectious because of their passion for pushing the boundaries of innovation. I liked being on the lookout for transformational investment opportunities and directly partnering with these founders to support scaling their businesses. I learned so much from my conversations with them.

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

Ben Sack, MBA ’24, interned at Sands Capital last summer and was instrumental in helping me land and succeed in my internship. In addition, I’m extremely grateful to have been selected to participate in ZLI’s Silicon Valley Experience Trek, where I met with approximately 25 University of Michigan alums working in entrepreneurship and venture capital who provided me with invaluable advice before starting at Sands. Also, both in advance of and during my internship, I set up numerous coffee chats with U-M alums to learn about their perspectives on the industry and even collaborate on potential investments.

Daksha Tidke, MBA ’25

Internship role and company:

Cummins Inc., corporate strategy manager intern

Internship location

Indianapolis, Indiana

Why did you want to intern at this company or in this role?

My previous experience in India was with Unilever PLC in internal consulting, and I found it highly rewarding. Upon entering business school, I knew I wanted to work in a similar space — in a strategy role, but this time with a focus on sustainability. Through extensive networking with Ross peers and alums who had similar roles, I learned that Cummins is not only a global leader in power and sustainability solutions but also a great company for learning and career growth. Among the intern offers I received, Cummins stood out to me for its commitment to sustainability innovation, which I believe is the future. Additionally, its collaborative and leadership-focused environment aligns perfectly with my goals, allowing me to apply the knowledge gained at Ross and work on projects with real-world impact.

What Michigan Ross resources did you use to prepare for your internship?

Michigan Ross truly has endless resources and I tried to make the most of it. The ones that I used the most were the CDO, my FACT group, and the Consulting and General Management Club. Special mention goes to the Ross MBA2s and alums who went out of their way to help me succeed in my recruiting journey.

What was a typical day like for you at your internship?

I worked on a project in the electrolyzer space. Typically, I started my day by meeting with stakeholders to gather information on my project. Then, I set aside time to research, analyze the data, and update my study on how it would help the business. I also tried to network with leaders outside of my team to learn about their work, career paths, and goals. I regularly gave updates to my project leader on the progress, we brainstormed ideas together, and then I updated my deliverables. Additionally, I joined Cummins’ mentorship program, where I discussed career goals with my mentor, got advice, and improved my professional skills.

What did you enjoy most about your internship?

There were many aspects of my internship that I really enjoyed. Coming in with limited experience in the industry, my learning curve was exponential, and my colleagues were very supportive. I thoroughly enjoyed working on my project and gaining a deep understanding of renewable energy, which piqued my interest in this field. Outside of work, Cummins puts great effort into team bonding and providing interns with the best experience. They organized numerous social events and plant tours, which I found fascinating. I enjoyed the plant tours a lot, as they helped me understand how the systems are made and what the processes involved are and gave me a comprehensive view of the business.

How did Ross alums support you before and during your internship?

Ross alums have been a pivotal part of my recruiting journey. Coming from India, where the recruiting process is completely different, Ross alums have guided me through each step. I connected with every alum who worked at the companies I interviewed with and spent many hours with them preparing before each interview. I remember some even took time to mock cases and do mock interviews with me during their winter holidays, which is the peak time for interview preparation. Even during my internship, the Ross alums at Cummins helped provide constructive feedback, which truly helped me improve. I'm very proud to have the Ross network to rely on. They are incredibly supportive and always willing to go out of their way to help. I know I will never be alone. Go Blue!