An Inside Look at a Dozen of the Coolest MBA Summer Internships

From tech to nonprofits to healthcare, MBA students at the Ross School of Business participated in virtual internships this summer with organizations around the world. They gained new skills and valuable experience in managing and leading high-impact projects and initiatives.  

The largest internship employers for students in the Ross Full-Time MBA Program this summer were in tech and consulting. In fact, five of the largest hiring companies for Ross MBA interns were Amazon, Boston Consulting Group, EY, McKinsey, and Microsoft. 

Here’s what 12 MBAs students with really cool internships had to say about their experience this summer, how alumni are supporting them, advice to future students interested in pursuing opportunities in the industry, and more.

Nadia Ogene, MBA '21

Interning with Nike - Digital Product Manager Intern 

What did you do at your internship?

I created a long-term strategy for providing a differentiated experience to Nike members through Nike.com. During my internship, I gained buy-in from stakeholders across Nike’s geographies, developed a product roadmap, and created prototypes of my recommendations.

What did you enjoy the most?

As someone relatively new to product management, I loved learning about Nike’s strategy to reach more members through digital channels. Similarly, I loved knowing that my internship project would play an integral role in helping Nike achieve its strategic objectives.

What tips would you give to someone else wanting to intern in this industry?

Companies like Nike have mastered the art of storytelling. When you interact with these companies, you need to have a clear vision of what your story is and why working at the intersection of apparel and tech aligns with your story.

Juan Alfaro, MBA '20

Interning with Dell Technologies - MBA Intern - Sustainability & Packaging Engineering

What did you do at your internship?  

My internship focused on developing a roadmap to scale a novel sustainable technology called Pollution Ink within the Dell supply chain. Pollution Ink utilizes soot generated from fossil fuel exhaust as a pigment for ink, which is then used to print Dell boxes in manufacturing facilities. Additionally, I was tasked with creating a process to drive sustainable innovation within the company with a particular focus on establishing early alignment between different teams to facilitate scale.

What did you enjoy the most? 

The best part of this experience was coordinating Pollution Ink pilots in Dell's manufacturing facilities around the globe. This gave me the opportunity to engage with suppliers and team members from different regions and support the formulation process of the ink. We were also able to print a Michigan logo in a box and keep it as a souvenir! 

How did Ross alumni support you? 

Throughout my internship, the Dell Ross alumni network organized several events that enabled me to meet with Rossers across the company. From one of the connections I developed, I was actually introduced to my current manager. In a very tangible way, Ross alumni greatly facilitated my ability to navigate the vast network of such a large organization.

Clinton Bourbonais, MBA '21

Interning with Sanofi Ventures - MBA Summer Associate

What did you do at your internship?

My main responsibility at Sanofi Ventures during my summer internship was to source, conduct diligence work, and evaluate early-stage biotechnology companies for potential venture capital investment. Over the 10-week internship, I was able to evaluate 43 non-confidential pitch presentations, I co-led a seven-week deep diligence on a T-cell therapy company, and I investigated corporate venture capital investment effects on early-stage biotech companies vs. investment from our institutional VC counterparts. Moreover, I was also given the opportunity to assist two portfolio companies (companies in which we have already made an investment) in raising their next round of financing.

What did you enjoy the most?

There were many things that I liked about working with the Sanofi Ventures team, but the two I would like to highlight are the people and the internship’s proximity to innovative and cutting-edge scientific technologies. Sanofi Ventures was a small seven-person team and each team member was extremely knowledgeable, experienced, but most importantly, they were inclusive and willing to educate me about the intricacies of the biotech venture capital world. 

How did Ross prepare you for your internship?

The Ross academic curriculum, Ross-sponsored extracurricular activities, and the numerous opportunities to get involved in the Ann Arbor biotechnology community prepared me to make a valuable contribution to the Sanofi Ventures team during my summer internship. The two courses that prepared me the most for my internship were Professor David Brophy’s FIN629: Financing Research Commercialization and being a member of the student-led Zell Lurie Commercialization Fund. These two courses gave me experiential opportunities to apply my academic learnings to real-world business cases as both an entrepreneur and investor. ZLCF gave me repetitions evaluating investment opportunities from an array of business sectors, including technology, mobility, consumer goods, and healthcare. 

Tori Chang, MBA '21

Interning with LinkedIn Learning - Product Marketing Intern

What did you do at your internship?

I was a product marketing intern, working on LinkedIn Learning, which is LinkedIn's subscription e-learning platform. My team's focus was engaging and retaining learners, and I worked on three inbound marketing research projects spanning multiple stages of the product development lifecycle: One was built from a hypothesis, one was a recommendation on how to implement a new feature, and the last was recommendations to improve an existing product function.

Why did you want to intern at this company/ role?

LinkedIn's mission resonates philosophically with me — its vision is to "Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce." I believe that technology professionals have a responsibility to build equitable products (by design, access, and more), and I was impressed to observe that LinkedIn has operationalized on its vision across every single business unit. 

What did you enjoy the most?

I love LinkedIn Learning's "Yes, and..." culture. It is an environment that takes advantage of the diverse backgrounds of its team through empowering every team member to share their perspective (even interns like me!). I noticed that a lot of elements I love about Ross culture are also prevalent at LinkedIn, such as collaboration, inclusivity, and community.

Guilherme Faria Daltro, MBA '21

Interning with Tesla - Global Supply Management Intern - Indirect Purchasing 

What did you do at your internship?

I was a global supply management intern at the Indirect Purchasing team at Tesla. I was part of the team responsible for contracting all materials/tools/services that help build the car, but do not end up in it. Within the team, I was assigned to the temporary labor "commodity," especially critical for the business during post-COVID times to help ramp back up production.

What did you enjoy the most? 

I enjoyed working in a company that is revolutionizing a few different industries, because that comes with inspiring leadership that always questions the status quo of all aspects of the work being done. On top of being encouraged to challenge the way things are done, I was amazed by the extent to which the ownership allowed an intern, considering the importance and spend of the category.

How did Ross alumni support you?

Every single Ross alum I tried to talk to when recruiting was nice enough to concede me at least half an hour of their time. They can't resist the nostalgic "Go Blue!" they heard so many times during school. An alum at Tesla connected me to other teammates who were hiring interns and after three interviews, I was able to land the opportunity.

Zoe Feng, MBA '21 

Interning with Visa - MBA Finance Intern  

What did you do at your internship? 

I worked on the Product FP&A team. My main projects this summer were to support the five-year strategic planning of two payment technology products: Wearables and Visa Transaction Control. Working with the product team, I verified their assumptions, processed data from external and internal resources for the financial model, and did an independent study on possible COVID impact.

What did you enjoy the most? 

I really enjoyed the training provided by the Visa HR group and the finance group throughout my entire internship. Every week, the interns had two or three virtual sessions with the executive leadership and two or three networking sessions with VPs from many different finance teams. (Finance is a massive and complex function at Visa.) The opportunities to speak with the leaders inside and outside of finance deepened my understanding of the business and gave me a better idea of what I want to pursue in my career. 

How did Ross prepare you for your internship?

MAP was great practice for working remotely and working cross-functionally. Additionally, classes such as accounting, econ, etc. provided me with the basic knowledge and technical skills needed to work in finance, as I had no relevant experience previously. 

Lindsay Gruskay, MBA '21

Interning with Microsoft - Product Marketing Consultant 

How did you get your internship?

This summer, I was part of the Ross Business Consultant Corps Program with Microsoft. The program was created to provide rising MBA2s with a summer action-based learning experience that would help them build professional skills and provide assistance to organizations that were/are facing new opportunities as a result of the global health crisis. 

What did you do at your internship?

During my internship, I developed a go-to-market strategy for a new product in development within Microsoft's Supply Chain organization. In addition, I helped to build a model to determine the economic and environmental benefits of this product/solution to potential customers.

What did you enjoy the most? 

Before COVID hit, I was recruiting for product marketing roles in the tech industry and was especially interested in the intersection of technology and social impact. For this reason, I enjoyed working on a project that was a direct response to the events happening in the world and showed the positive impacts (economic, social, and environmental) that a large tech company could have on society by using their business for good. 

Katie Herron, MBA '21

Interning with Clif Bar & Company, Clif Kid Brand Management Intern 

How did Ross alumni support you?

I did the vast majority of my internship search off-campus, and reached out to as many Ross alums at the companies I was targeting as possible (in addition to many, many cold Linkedin requests). I was able to connect with a former Erber at Clif who helped put in a good word and prepare me for my interview. She also connected me with another Rosser who was designated as my buddy for the summer and proved to be an incredible advocate and advisor during my summer. It never ceases to amaze me how strong the Michigan network is and how generous alums are with their time!

What tips would you give to someone else wanting to intern in this industry?

Off-campus recruiting can be intimidating but also tends to yield some of the most exciting internships for folks with a specific industry in mind. I went through the process of CPG recruiting with my FACT group peers but procrastinated with actually taking the leap to reach out in search of off-campus opportunities. Don't be like me! There were many off-campus opportunities that actually had similar timelines to on-campus roles that I almost missed because I assumed they would mostly be just-in-time. 

What did you do at your internship?

As part of the Clif Kid team, I was tasked with understanding who adults buying Zbar (a product for kids) were and how Clif could drive growth within this segment. I used internal panel data (information on demographics, psychographics, shopping behavior, and more), quantitative findings via a survey I created, and qualitative findings through a series of focus groups to learn about this group of consumers. Based on this, I was able to make a recommendation for a new product innovation positioned to better meet the needs of these consumers and help Clif attack a new market segment. I also worked on a group project with the other grad interns looking at how Clif could enter the gamer segment (something I was very unfamiliar with!). 

Sasha Kapur, MBA '21 

Interning with Hulu - Product Management MBA Intern

What did you do at your internship?

This summer, I worked as a product management MBA Intern on Hulu’s Platform Services Product team. Our team’s customers were internal Hulu developers, and our products were the platforms and tools that developers use. I focused on the challenge of integrating customer feedback into the product development process in continuous, formative, scalable ways. Over the course of two months, I was able to interview 30+ users, synthesize data into a prioritized product roadmap, build and ship the MVP, and present findings to a variety of company stakeholders. As a result, our team can now bring a more data-driven, customer-centric approach to product development, and I am more skilled as a product manager!

What did you enjoy the most?

One of my favorite aspects of the internship was meeting other Hulugans, talking to them about their career trajectories, and refining my own goals. I also participated in Hulu’s annual Hackathon, which allowed me to apply product management and leadership skills in an incredibly scrappy environment. Over four days, we defined and scoped a problem, built a product roadmap, prototyped features, developed a working MVP, and pitched it to the full Hulu Technology organization. 

How did Ross alumni support you?

Ross and Michigan alumni were incredibly generous with their time when I was interviewing for this role. Before my final interview with Hulu, I had informational conversations with several Ross alumni and one current student who had previously worked at Hulu. These conversations equipped me with a more nuanced understanding of Hulu’s culture, the company’s strategic direction, and what product management looks like at Hulu. As a result, I was able to enter the interview process prepared and confident. Go Blue!

Kene Onuorah, MBA '21

Interning with Detroit Venture Partners and Bloomscape - MBA Venture Capital Intern

What did you do at your internship?

This summer I worked as a MBA venture capital intern at Detroit Venture Partners. Through DVP I was matched with Bloomscape, a direct-to-consumer online plant shopping platform. At Bloomscape, I worked closely with the director of growth marketing as well as with the firm’s business development lead. I was given a ton of autonomy and ownership, which has translated to an incredible experience. I led the strategy around the launch of a new product category, worked on new performance marketing channels, and created a three-year customer journey map. 

How did Ross alumni support you?

A Ross alum, who I built a relationship with through the 2020 Michigan Business Challenge, actually suggested I apply to the DVP Fellowship Program. Not only did she suggest that I apply, but she was also kind enough to write a referral for me. Prior to my conversation with her, I'd planned on working on my startup during the summer. She saw something in me and provided an opportunity that I was unaware of. The opportunity turned out to be one of the best professional experiences in my life. The internship experience alone due to the connections and learnings has already made my decision to attend business school worth it. 

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

I wanted to intern at Detroit Venture Partners because as a founder I knew it was imperative that I learn the ins and outs of venture capital and I knew it was equally important to build relationships in the industry. This summer, I wanted to grow both as an entrepreneur and an investor. I was able to achieve that through this internship. Many of the skills I have learned this summer at Bloomscape and DVP will be directly transferable to my start-up. 

Bryan Ricketts, MBA '22 

Interning with Federal Reserve Board of Governors - Graduate Intern

What did you do at your internship?

I worked with the financial market infrastructures risk and policy team, where I researched design elements of central bank digital currency (CBDC). Our work on CBDC was recently announced by Governor Lael Brainard. I also analyzed the impact of regulatory changes on the risk management of systemically important financial institutions – the “too big to fail” firms that underlie derivatives and securities transactions.

How did Ross prepare you for your internship?

Our MAP was fantastic preparation in properly scoping a project and hitting deadlines while operating entirely virtually. I also appreciated the negotiation lessons from our management and organizations class, which came in handy when I wanted to ensure my project could utilize a racial equity lens. Being prepared to discuss my interest led my supervisors to connect me to the division’s diversity and inclusion committee, who partnered with me for a presentation on racial equity in policy making.

What tips would you give to someone else wanting to intern in this industry?

A mentor is absolutely necessary to navigating a complex institution like the Fed. I was lucky enough to be given mine as part of the internship structure, and they were an invaluable resource. The other major takeaway for me was the importance of being able to build frameworks for the analysis of novel problems. Ross teaches many useful frameworks, but it is just as important to be able to establish new ones that clarify policy choices for decision-makers.

Allie Taikowski, MBA '21

Interning at Henry Health - Chief of Staff Intern

What did you do at your internship?

My primary responsibilities were to support our CEO in fundraising by updating pitch decks, responding to due diligence requests, and updating legal and financial documents related to fundraising. I also completed a variety of other projects, such as leading the team in a strategic discussion, and owned a number of operational responsibilities, including updating our financial model and budget.

How did Ross prepare you for your internship?

The chief operating officer left the company about a week before I started. As a result, I had to take on many of her responsibilities, including things like creating P&L statements, helping to close the books for our accountants every month, and even having HR-related conversations with the CEO and other employees. The knowledge I gained from our core classes, combined with my experience in MAP, was crucial in taking on these tasks.

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

I knew coming into Ross that I wanted to transition to a company in healthcare that was serving a population that our healthcare system had been otherwise failing. Henry Health is tackling an important, and often unaddressed, problem in focusing on Black people's mental health. Of all the missions of the companies I was interested in, Henry Health's felt to me like the most focused on serving a specific community marginalized by the U.S. healthcare system.