Abstract
In two studies, I surveyed 251 MBA students and law school students before and after they completed an internship. I first asked whether they had any preexisting contacts at the firm (people who they at least moderately trusted and had met more than three times), and then whether they established more connections over the course of about 12 weeks. Specifically, I wanted to know if they got to know any employees who gave them insight into the organization and its goals, strategies, and important people. I asked how often they were in touch with these contacts, how long they had known them, and how close they were. And I gathered information about the companies (e.g., the size of the office, the work performed, the number of alumni working there) and about the students’ academic accomplishments (e.g., whether they were on the dean’s list or working for a prestigious law journal).