Marketing internship in FMCG companies

yourplaceormine · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 05:54 PM

Hi all,

Applied for marketing internship positions in J&J and L'oreal, and just wanted to get a second opinion on these internships. Basically these are off cycle full time internships (regular non-LDP) and I would probably have to take a semester off school.

Not sure what the general consensus regarding taking a semester off school for a marketing internship is, but I've had friends that got full time offers after taking on internships in finance. Would this true for marketing positions in these FMCG companies as well, even for non-LDP internships?

Basically I would just like to know if it would be worth it to delay my graduation by 1 semester to take on a marketing internship if there is a very slim chance of full time conversion. I know that having multiple internships is advantageous if applying for jobs in competitive industries such as finance, but would this be true for the marketing industry as well?

Also, out of curiosity, how much do fresh grads make in FMCG companies in marketing roles on average?

#2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 06:14 PM

It depends what specific "marketing" role in FMCG you're getting.

If you are going in there as an MA or a Grad Program under a major player like P&G/Unilever/J&J, then you will be making anywhere between 4-5k.

However, all of these top programs (at least for P&G and Unilever) require you to a proper internship with them and go through AC rounds etc.

yourplaceormine · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

It depends what specific "marketing" role in FMCG you're getting.

If you are going in there as an MA or a Grad Program under a major player like P&G/Unilever/J&J, then you will be making anywhere between 4-5k.

However, all of these top programs (at least for P&G and Unilever) require you to a proper internship with them and go through AC rounds etc.

Thanks for the reply. The internship is actually at J&J. However this role that I have applied for is a regular internship, not a MA program or a "flagship" internship. I've quizzed the HR regarding get fast tracked to the grad program that they offer, however it appears that the program is catered towards masters degree holders. However according to the hiring manager I spoke to, there is still the possibility of full time conversion.
Would getting into a MA program be significantly better than just being converted to a full time employee? (in terms of pay and progression etc)

#4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 07:08 PM

Of course. In fact, it makes a world of difference.

The quality and caliber of MAs at FMCG are typically FCH people with stellar achievements. You can do a quick linkedin search and verify this yourself.

Direct hires are honestly not very impressive and catered to the average local grad. Even DL grads from SIM can be hired into these companies since they are so vast but their titles are usually "marketing executive" as opposed to "Management trainee" with salary scales roughly about $3k only.

This is in comparison to MAs who start at $4-5k depending on the company, and are fast tracked to management. In the case of Unilever, you are fast tracked to a manager in 3 years, which typically takes about 5-7 years in most companies.

I know all of this because I work in the industry, cheers.

yourplaceormine · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Of course. In fact, it makes a world of difference.

The quality and caliber of MAs at FMCG are typically FCH people with stellar achievements. You can do a quick linkedin search and verify this yourself.

Direct hires are honestly not very impressive and catered to the average local grad. Even DL grads from SIM can be hired into these companies since they are so vast but their titles are usually "marketing executive" as opposed to "Management trainee" with salary scales roughly about $3k only.

This is in comparison to MAs who start at $4-5k depending on the company, and are fast tracked to management. In the case of Unilever, you are fast tracked to a manager in 3 years, which typically takes about 5-7 years in most companies.

I know all of this because I work in the industry, cheers.

Thanks for the insight. Since J&J does not have management trainee programs catered for bachelor degree holders, i'm guessing that it wouldn't be worth it to take a semester off for this internship? Would this internship be at all advantageous if I were to apply for the MA programs at other FMCG companies?

#6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2016, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yourplaceormine

Thanks for the insight. Since J&J does not have management trainee programs catered for bachelor degree holders, i'm guessing that it wouldn't be worth it to take a semester off for this internship? Would this internship be at all advantageous if I were to apply for the MA programs at other FMCG companies?

I believe that J&J has an MA program. They launched it recently if I am not wrong though it is definitely not well advertised as compared to P&G and Unilever.

I would say that the internship would probably be useful for other FMCG companies. Doing an LOA is probably fine in that regard, especially since J&J is well established.