Internships vs. Full-Time Positions

As my MBA program moves into the last few months of classes, I find myself faced with a debate concerning employment. I am required to choose a company to base my thesis upon, and a certain amount of hours spent with that company is required in order to acquire the data needed to write the paper. Should I find an internship for myself? As an MBA student with several years of work experience, am I overqualified for an internship? As an expat with a need for a visa, do I have a right to be picky?

Internships are a little different in the Netherlands than they are in the U.S. Here, it must be proven that you are an enrolled student; otherwise you cannot work as an intern. Similar to the U.S., an internship in the Netherlands are a great way to learn the ropes of a position within a company, giving you a foot in the door should you decide to stay with the company for a full-time position. This is especially crucial if, like me, you need a company to sponsor your visa to stay in the country.

However, unless the internship is specifically for MBA students, I find myself a bit overqualified for them. Most internships I have stumbled upon are geared towards undergrad students with little to no work experience, rather than over four years of relevant experience. This is quite frustrating after spending time and effort into furthering my education, to just go back to an entry-level position. It does seem to be a perfect fit for those that are looking to have a career switch or possibly get more experience in a new industry.

With this dilemma, I have to decide whether or not I should swallow my pride and spend a few months in the gallows with the rest of the young 20 somethings in an effort to support my long-term goal – staying in The Netherlands. In my particular circumstance, with a company thesis hanging over my head and a few classes still ahead of me, I think I shall have to bite the bullet. This is the surest way to secure a small measly fee each month, gain experience within the country, and hopefully a visa. For those on the fence about this decision, sometimes checking your pride in exchange for a long-term solution is the best decision. As for me, internship applications are flying out as I type.

Ashley Herbert