The Five Biggest Texas Internship Destinations for MBAs
Whether an internship is optional or required for your MBA program, interning at top companies in your metro can not only offer hands-on work experience, but the chance to develop professional relationships that can shape the rest of your career.
Major Texas metros like Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth area are increasingly becoming known for their roles in business and technology, making these cities the perfect spot for students to begin their professional careers with summer internships. Often these internships can lead to continued work and career opportunities after graduation. For example, 100 percent of students at a top MBA program like TCU’s Neeley School of Business earned internships in 2016, nearly half of whom continued projects for their employer on into the following year.
The Five Biggest Texas Internship Destinations
Hewlett Packard (HP)
Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, the multinational informational technology company, HP, has a strong presence in Texas’ biggest metros. With a massive range or products, from personal computers to 3D printers, HP has 55,000 employees around the world and a net income of $2.53 billion USD.
HP and their separate Enterprise Service business, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, offer a number of internships for MBA students and are considered one of the top intern destinations for schools like the Naveen Jindal School of Management at the University of Texas at Dallas and Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
HP offers a 12-week paid summer internship program for students in a variety of fields. Current openings include positions like:
- Personal Systems MBA Project Management Intern (HP)
- Personal Systems MBA Marketing Summer Intern (HP)
- Financial Associate MBA Intern (Hewlett Packard Enterprise)
Texas Instruments
It likely doesn’t come as a surprise that technology company Texas Instruments, headquartered in Dallas, is a top employer for MBA interns in the region. The company, which as of 2017 had a profit margin of $3.68 billion, has a number of different career paths available for their interns, with rotational opportunities after students have graduated that can help accelerate their career. Business roles at the company include focuses such as Finance and Operations, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing Communications, and Supply Chain Analyst.
With internship opportunities in engineering as well as the business fields, Texas Instruments consistently tops lists for MBA interns in programs like the aforementioned TCU Neeley School of Business and other top Dallas schools.
AT&T
Headquartered in Dallas, AT&T today is the world’s largest telecommunications company and second largest provider of mobile phone services in the country. And with 254,000 employees worldwide, it makes sense that this massive company would seek to create a talent pipeline for MBA students in the area. AT&T tops the list as an internship destination for students in schools like Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and Jindal at UT Dallas, among others.
AT&T offers summer internships in a number of different focuses and fields, which provide real-world projects, specialized training programs and leadership exposure. Currently open positions with the company include a Leadership Internship, Finance Internship, and Software Development Internship.
Deloitte
Another company making an impact for student interns at schools like Neeley, Rice, and Mays, is “Big Four” accounting organization Deloitte. The company is headquartered in London but with over 263,000 employees throughout the world. In 2017, Deloitte officially became the fourth largest privately owned company in the United States.
Deloitte’s commitment to recruiting talented finance students is reflected in the many MBAs who find both internships and full-time positions with the company. A Texas internship at Deloitte typically last eight to ten weeks during the summer and continue through at least one semester of the school year. MBA student interns have access to a number of incredible resources during their internship at Deloitte, including a consulting immersion program, women’s leadership launch, and the chance to participate in a number of case competitions.
Accenture
With headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, the work of global management consulting company Accenture may seem worlds away from Texas, U.S. But with nearly 500,000 employees around the world, this Fortune Global 500 company has left its mark as a top employers of MBA interns at schools like TCU Neeley and Rice’s Jones School of Business.
Accenture’s internship program is a ten to twelve week experience throughout the summer that encourages students to empower themselves through innovation. Student interns have access to programs like the Student Leadership Conference, Buddy Program, Summer Analyst Day of Service, and group outings. Those who are able to turn their internship stays with Accenture may also be awaiting a hefty payday when it comes to full-time employment after earning an MBA.
“According to Management Consulted, post-MBA salaries at Accenture hover around a base salary of $140-145,000 with a $25,000 signing bonus, an $8,000 relocation check and a performance bonus up to $44,000. Interns typically clock $31 per hour, plus overtime and a signing bonus.”
The Best Healthcare Management MBAs in Texas
As the nation’s second-largest field of employment, healthcare is a fast growing and rapidly changing industry expected to be worth trillions in the near future. A job in healthcare can represent any number of opportunities from working in a hospital to working for a government agency, insurance organization, consulting firm, group practice, pharmaceutical company, or biotechnology firms. In each of these areas, there’s a massive need for well-qualified individuals who can respond to critical problems. That’s where a healthcare management career can be valuable.
As a healthcare manager, you’ll be responsible for managing and coordinating health services while working closely with physicians and administrators to best represent your facility. It’s a rewarding career field with a positive job outlook—employment is expected to grow much-faster-than-average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If this sounds like the career for you, one of the first steps is to earn your Healthcare Management MBA. A Healthcare Management MBA provides students with in-depth expertise on the unique elements required to work in the healthcare industry.
As for where to earn your degree, here are the best Texas healthcare MBA programs.
Dallas
Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas
In Dallas, the Naveen Jindal School of Management is known for its healthcare focus. Not only does the school offer a Master of Science in Healthcare Leadership and Management, which is a flexible evening program that can be completed in 18 to 24 months, but MBA students can also choose the Healthcare Leadership and Management concentration. This MBA concentration prepares students for leadership positions in healthcare and is a cross-functional and industry-focused option.
What makes the Healthcare Management MBA concentration stand out at Naveen Jindal is the fact that classes are taught by faculty and healthcare executives who have the specialized expertise and experience needed to train up-and-coming graduates. In addition, students can participate in the Healthcare Management Association (HMA) to cultivate industry experience, networking opportunities, and healthcare resources. The school also offers a Healthcare Management Executive MBA for current physicians who are looking to expand their skillset.
Hankamer School of Business – Baylor University
At the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business in Dallas, there’s a specialized MBA in Healthcare Administration. This degree path is offered in conjunction with the Robbins Institute for Health Policy and Leadership and gives students the opportunity to gain an interdisciplinary foundation in health services and business. The MBA program is nationally recognized, ranked 17th in the nation in 2016 by the U.S. News & World Report, and ideal for students interested in a healthcare career.
What makes this MBA program unique is that it includes a seven-month paid Executive Residency with a leading progressive health organization. During this residency, students receive guidance from well-qualified, practicing healthcare executives who give them the opportunity to apply and test their knowledge. Also, students can apply for the Executive Healthcare MBA program in Dallas and participate in the Future Healthcare Executives (FHE) student organization.
Neeley School of Business – Texas Christian University
Another opportunity for healthcare-minded MBA students in Dallas is the Healthcare MBA at the TCU Neeley School of Business. This program is designed for current healthcare professionals or individuals who are looking to enter the healthcare industry. It’s offered in partnership with the University of North Texas—Health Science Center and provides an in-depth healthcare focus.
What makes this program unusual is that students can choose a standard MBA (48 credit-hours) or an accelerated MBA (36 credit-hours) depending on their experience in business. In either case, MBA students completed 10.5 credit-hours of healthcare-specific courses as well as 9-10.5 credit-hours of additional business or healthcare electives. Some of the specialized courses include:
- Healthcare in the U.S.
- Population Health
- Legal Aspects of Healthcare
Houston
Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business
At Rice University in Houston, there are multiple opportunities for MBA students at the Jones Graduate School of Business to develop their healthcare experience. Specifically, the school created a healthcare program that offers practical learning options and multiple healthcare electives. Some of those electives include U.S. Health Care Management, Health Care Strategy, and Health Care Operations Management.
As full-time MBA students, there’s the option to choose the health care concentration, which includes 12 credits, out of 24.5 available, focused specifically on a career in healthcare. Its unique curriculum prepares MBA students for a variety of healthcare settings including pharmaceutical, biotech, and insurance as well as hospitals and private practices. There are also many other ways to learn about healthcare at Rice University including speaker series, panel discussions, and multiple events.
The Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University offers a wealth of healthcare MBA options, including a MD/MBA dual degree.
Cameron School of Business – University of St. Thomas
In Houston, there’s also an MBA in Health Care Administration offered at the Cameron School of Business. This program is offered in conjunction with Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and gives students the opportunity to obtain the fundamental health services management skills required for a successful career. In addition, there’s an opportunity for a dual Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) and MBA degree. As part of the program, students take courses at both TWU and UST.
June MBA Deadlines You Need to Know
Don’t be left behind, and get a jump on the MBA application process this June! Here’s your guide to this month’s MBA admissions deadlines in our top metros. Continue reading…
The Texas MBA Programs Guide: Houston vs. Dallas
If you’re looking to earn a Texas MBA, where should you go to school? Should you choose a top MBA program in Dallas or Houston? First, we need to take a look at the cities.
Living in Dallas vs. Houston
First, let’s take a look at the cost of living in Dallas vs. Houston. According to Numbeo, the world’s most extensive database containing user contributed data about cities, the overall cost of living is relatively similar: $4,242 in Houston compared to $4,000 in Dallas. Houston barely edges out Dallas with a slightly higher cost of living, and here’s how that’s broken down.
- Consumer Prices: 35 percent higher in Houston
- Rent Prices: 7.30 percent higher in Houston
- Restaurant Prices: 27 percent higher in Houston
- Groceries Cost: 95 percent higher in Houston
- Local Purchasing Power: 26 percent lower in Houston
Other things to consider when choosing between Dallas and Houston include:
- Industries
- Houston is known for being the oil capital and is an ideal location for jobs in the energy industry.
- Dallas, on the other hand, is known for real estate (Tramelle Crow is headquartered here), as well as hedge funds and asset management firms.
- Economic Development: According to Site Selection Magazine, Houston and Dallas are comparatively equal when it comes to economic development, ranking second and third respectively.
- Top Companies: Houston edges out Dallas for being home to more Fortune 500 companies. In fact, Houston is home to 27 top companies compared to 14 in Dallas. However, they rank second and third respectively.
However, according to Forbes, “while Houston and Dallas have decent amenities (and having better ones surely wouldn’t hurt), they aren’t places that offer a unique lifestyle brand, such as charming architecture or a cutting-edge arts scene.”
Texas MBA Programs
The next step is to compare the top three MBA programs in each city. In particular, we wanted to take a look at the tuition rates (two years), GMAT averages, and post-graduation salaries at each program in each city to get a well-rounded picture.
Overall, there are a few things to note right away.
- The top full-time MBA programs in both cities are ranked well. However, Houston programs tend to rank higher on major ranking sites such as The Economist and Bloomberg Businessweek.
- Houston tends to be more expensive regarding tuition ($93,052 vs. $69,191), but it also pays a higher salary ($110,000 vs. $92,000). This balances out with around a $25,000 difference in tuition and a $20,00 difference in post-graduation salary.
- Finally, GMAT averages for class profiles tend to be higher in Houston as well (688 vs. 660).
Here’s how it all breaks down per school.
Top 3 Houston MBA Programs
McCombs School of Business – University of Texas at Austin
The McCombs School of Business offers a full-time MBA, an Evening MBA, a Weekend MBA, and an Executive MBA program. And it’s considered one of the top business schools in the country, consistently ranking highly on various lists, including ranking 28 according to The Economist.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $91,000
- GMAT Averages: 703
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $117,068
Rice University – Jones Graduate School of Business
The Jones Graduate School at Rice University offers a full-time MBA program, an MBA for Professionals (part-time), and an Executive MBA Program. The school’s full-time MBA program ranked 10th on the Bloomberg Businessweek list in 2017.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $116,000
- GMAT Averages: 711
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $112,158
Mays Business School – Texas A&M University
The Mays Business School has both a full-time MBA program as well as a part-time Professional MBA program. In addition, the school offers an Executive MBA. In 2017, The full-time MBA program ranked 20th overall by Forbes, and 22nd overall by Bloomberg Businessweek.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $72,158
- GMAT Averages: 649
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $103,299
Top 3 Dallas MBA Programs
Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas
The Naveen Jindal School offers a full-time MBA, part-time Professional MBA, Executive MBA, and Global Leadership Executive MBA program. The full-time MBA is well ranked according to the U.S. News & World Report, ranking 16th among public university programs in the U.S.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $27,603
- GMAT Averages: 678
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $86,644
Cox School of Business – Southern Methodist University
The Cox School of Business at SMU offers a full-time MBA, Fast Track MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), and an Executive MBA program. Most recently, SMU Cox achieved its first Financial Times ranking at 91st.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $91,952
- GMAT Averages: 661
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $96,587
Neeley School of Business – Texas Christian University
At the Neeley School of Business at TCU, MBA applicants can apply to the full-time MBA, Accelerated MBA, Professional MBA (part-time), Accelerated Professional MBA, or MBA for Energy Professionals program. The Economist ranked the Neeley School MBA ranks 61st overall on its most-recent ranking.
- Tuition Rates (two years): $88,020
- GMAT Averages: 640
- Post-Grad Salaries (Mean): $93,010
Dallas vs. Houston Breakdown in Charts
When breaking down the data between MBA programs in Dallas and Houston, here’s what it looks like:
Texas MBA Tuition
Texas MBA GMAT Averages
Texas MBA Post-Graduation Salaries
How to Get Your Employer to Pay For Your MBA
Earning an MBA holds tons of value in the business world—an advanced business degree can open doors that may otherwise have been closed, and boasts a high return on investment thanks to the top-level salaries that MBAs command.
Graduate school—and all of the coursework that comes with it—can be an intimidating challenge, but paying for it doesn’t have to be. Aside from scholarship, grant and fellowship opportunities at business schools across the country, more and more companies are placing a higher importance on tuition reimbursement programs, and expanding opportunities for paid MBA tuition reimbursement.
How can you get your employer to pay for your MBA studies? Let’s take a closer look.
Getting Your Employer to Pay For Your MBA
First thing’s first: You need to find out if your current employer offers tuition reimbursement to its employees. The terms of reimbursement vary depending on the company, with some corporations not offering any sort of program at all. Those that do offer some sort of compensation may do so on a course-by-course basis, or as a lump-sum reimbursement package for coursework in relevant degree plans.
“Organizations typically support MBA pursuits for two reasons,” J. Todd Rhoad, managing director of Atlanta’s BT Consulting, told USA Today. “Employee development and succession planning. In the first case, companies support the cost of MBA programs as part of their commitment to employee training and development.”
If you want to convince your employer that your education is worth investing in, you’ll need to show that earning an MBA will further your business acumen and understanding of your industry, and ultimately help your company reap those benefits.
“Usually, an employee has to already been delivering great results within the company,” Roderick Lewis, international relations director at the ISCTE Business School, University Institute of Lisbon, told Business Insider.
“If you haven’t already convinced your company, then asking them to [sponsor your education] becomes really difficult,” Lewis says.
USA Today also outlined a few checkboxes to hit when determining how valuable earning an MBA would be for your organization:
- Do current members of middle or upper management hold advanced business degrees?
- Does your company have the available revenue to invest in employee education?
- Would someone with the type of advanced training you seek bring clear advantages to the company?
If those point hold true in your situation, then start researching which programs specialize in providing the skills that your company needs. Keep in mind: You do not have to limit yourself to business schools in your metro thanks to popularity of Online MBA programs. There may have once been a stigma against online programs, but the of the matter fact is that many of the top online MBAs on U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings also rank highly on the publication’s top campus-based graduate business programs list.
Some of these schools include:
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill (Kenan-Flagler)
- Indiana University – Bloomington (Kelley)
- Temple University (Fox)
- Arizona State University (Carey)
- University of Florida (Hough)
- Carnegie Mellon University (Tepper)
- University of Texas – Dallas
Once you’ve found the right program, you’ll want to craft a brief proposal for your employer. In it, you’ll want to mention how you fit the company’s tuition reimbursement policy, and list the advantages that continuing your education can bring you and your company. Don’t shy away from providing data on how much assistance you may need and how this investment will pay off for everyone, while also ensuring your employer that you’ll remain committed to the company during your degree program, or won’t jump ship after earning your degree.
“A proposal should address the benefit to the company,” Rhoad says, “(including) areas where the company could improve and how you will help them, a review of the courses to be taken and how they will provide knowledge that can help improve the company’s performance.”
Companies That Provide MBA Tuition Reimbursement
Investopedia recently compiled a list of companies have stated that they place a high value on their tuition assistance benefits, and provide tuition reimbursement for the educational costs of an MBA.
According to Investopedia, consulting companies lead the market in tuition reimbursement programs for MBA courses. These firms also pay the highest salaries for MBA alumni. Deloitte has the most robust tuition reimbursement plan, providing employees with up to $10,000 per year in MBA reimbursements. The firm requires two years of work with the company and a commitment to work for the company after graduation in order to receive the tuition assistance benefit.
Financial institutions and banks also place a high value on employees with MBAs, and provide tuition assistance. One example is Bank of America, which provides employees with annual tuition assistance of up to $5,250 for advanced degree coursework. Wells Fargo also has a track record of paying for MBAs, doling out up to $5,000 annually for tuition expenses.
The booming tech sector is also hiring MBAs left and right, with some firms developing their MBA talent in house by offering to pay MBA tuition expenses. Apple tops the list of tech companies offering tuition assistance, providing reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually. MBA degrees are even more coveted in the the specialty defense technology sector, as Raytheon, one of the top defense technology companies in the world, offering to pay up to 100 percent of employees’ college tuition for graduate school.
Other leading companies offering tuition reimbursement to employees include:
- Chevron: A market leader in the energy sector, Chevron offers offers tuition reimbursement of up to 75 percent for its employees.
Ford: Ford’s education tuition assistance program provides employees with tuition reimbursement of up to $5,000 annually for an MBA. - Procter & Gamble: This firm has one of the leading tuition reimbursement benefits in the consumer goods industry, providing reimbursement for up to 80 percent of educational costs with a limit at $40,000.
- AT&T: This telecom giant provides employees with up to $5,250 annually for tuition assistance, for a maximum reimbursement of up to $25,000 for graduate school courses.
Finding the Best Return On Investment for Your MBA: Dallas
Choosing the right MBA program can feel overwhelming. With nearly 800 accredited business schools in the United States, the idea of wading through the information on every program is intimidating to say the least. A variety of features, such as a school rankings, internship opportunities, and an extensive alumni network may be huge factors where you choose to earn your master’s. But one of the most important variables to consider is a program’s return on investment (ROI). It is essential to pick a school with an enviable ROI, as this will ensure that the time and money you dedicate to earning your MBA are not for naught. Given the considerable cost of higher education, it is important to attend the school that will give you the most bang for your buck.
The Best Dallas MBA Return on Investment
Cox School of Business – Southern Methodist University
At the SMU Cox School of Business, students can expect an admirable rate of return on the cost of education. The tuition rate of $45,976 per year for the two-year program is among the most enviable in the U.S. The average graduating salary for MBA’s was $96,587, which is more than double the yearly cost of tuition. This school is also ideal for students hoping to global perspective, as students at Cox have the opportunity to participate in an international MBA exchange program, which allows them to continue their education in Latin America, Europe, Australia, or Asia. Simply put, SMU Cox doesn’t just provide one of the best Dallas MBA return on investment opportunities, but one of the best in the country overall.
Hankamer School of Business – Baylor University
Baylor’s Hanker School of Business is another excellent option for students seeking a respectable ROI. The full-time program can span from 16 to 21 months, with a tuition of $20,597 per semester (over about three to four semesters, depending on course load and core requirements met during undergrad). According to Hankamer’s website, the average starting salary for MBA graduates in 2017 was $73,314. Additionally, Hankamer’s Career Management team is nationally-ranked, and can provide extra support for students seeking help with job placement.
McCombs School of Business – University of Texas at Austin
The MBA program at the McCombs School of Business currently costs $30,750 per semester, bringing the total tuition to about $123,000. The cost will is steeper for non-residents (closer to $189,000). Though the cost of tuition at McCombs is nothing to sneer at, neither is the reward. In fact, the most recent MBA class had an impressive average starting salary of $117,068. McCombs, which is also one of the largest business schools on this list, also has an extensive alumni network, which includes the CEOs of Southwest Airlines (Gary C. Kelly) and Heinz (William R. Johnson).
Naveen Jindal School of Management – University of Texas at Dallas
Like many of the schools we mentioned on this list, the Naveen Jindal School of Management has a solid track record when it comes to ROI. Tuition for the full-time MBA program is just $32,998 for in-state residents and $64,332 for non-residents. In addition to the reasonable cost, the school’s website states that 80 percent of students receive scholarships that cover an average of 45 percent of the total program cost. In 2017, U.S. News & World Report stated that the school’s MBA program, “… had the highest salary-to-debt ratio among ranked business schools.” According to the article, average starting salary for graduates (of those who were employed within three months of graduation) was $86,644.
Neeley School of Business – Texas Christian University
At TCU’s Neeley School of Business, the average starting salary for the most recent graduates of the full-time MBA program was $93,093, surpassing the total tuition of $88,020. Moreover, Neeley boasts a 92 percent employment rate 90 days after graduation. Recent graduates have taken jobs at renowned companies like Ernst & Young and IBM. In addition to standard core classes, Neeley introduces a great deal of experiential learning into the curriculum. At the end of their first year, students participate in an Integrative Project that offers them the opportunity to apply their skills to real-world business obstacles via a week-long simulation.
