Name: Grishma Kulkarni

Graduation Date: May 2009
Internship(s) Held During MBA Program: Market Research Intern, Southside Business Technology Center, Martinsville, VA.

Grishma interned during the summer of 2008 at Southside Business Technology Center (SBTC) and was asked to stay during the fall and spring of 2009 with the company. SBTC helps entrepreneurs enhance their knowledge of business management through the development of business projects, consultations and seminars tailored to specific clients needs.

In what ways has Bryan Graduate Career Services been most helpful to you during your time in the graduate program?

Bryan Graduate Career Services has helped me in polishing my resume, obtaining contacts for informational interviews, and setting up mock interviews to further develop my interview skills.  I got my internship at SBTC by attending the round table connections event of 2008 organized by Bryan Graduate Career Services.

My internship focuses on the area of business consulting. I have completed several projects in which I have had to develop an industry cluster in a given region, which in return has provided me with hands on experience working with a variety of clients.

The internship has helped me to understand the whole picture of business issues. It has also built a certain specialization for me in the field of business consulting and strategy development, which has turned into a full-time job interest.

What career related tips or advice would you give to other graduate students or prospective students?

Be proactive; update your resumes constantly; and start networking to get internships. Do not forget to do informational interviews.