Summer Associate Program

Summer Associate Program (SAP)

For the past three years Mars has engaged with MBA and environmental science master's degree students to provide them with a unique international experience. In collaboration with Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and Nicholas School of the Environment, Hasanuddin University in Indonesia,  and most recently, Columbia Business School, our Summer Associate Program has enabled students to work on sustainability project for Mars in developing communities. This program is managed by Mars Sustainable Solutions.

About

Summer Associates (SA) are slated into specific projects related to Mars Sustainable Solutions’ business objectives. Each SA is given a specific sustainability project goal with strong work deliverables. They manage their own budget, travel, & project timelines. Each project lasts approximately 10 weeks, with 5-8 weeks in an international setting.

Although projects vary in scope, each contain elements of:

• project management
• corporate risk management 
• communications 
• stakeholder engagement
• strategic planning
• supply chain and logistics management

Some projects will work with external partners, such as non-governmental organizations.

Similar to that of a consulting internship, candidates apply and should be willing to be placed into any given project versus applying for a specific project.

Past Projects 

• Marketability & Feasibility analysis of low-cost point of use water models
• Sustainable Energy models for island community
• Cocoa Sustainability Education plans
• Sustainable Cocoa Farming education plans
• Small scale business plans for cocoa nurseries
• Developing small scale mariculture business models in the Coral Triangle

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will be an MBA or dual-degree student who maintains strong project management and entrepreneurial skills in area(s)related to sustainability, agriculture and/or economic development. Candidates are pooled from top business schools around the US.

Summer Associates should be self-starters who are comfortable working independently and delivering results within short deadlines. Strong communications skills, negotiation skills, strategic/critical thinking skills, and an ability to navigate through ambiguity are essential to a Summer Associate’s success.  Experience working in developing country and/or start-up environment is a plus.  

Candidates who are entrepreneurial (yet team-minded), sharp (while humble), and passionate (while balanced) may be a good cultural fit for the program  

Summer 2011 Internship Application Process

• Summer 2011 Internship Dates: June 6-August
• Location: Sulawesi, Indonesia
                    All local expenses and travel covered, plus stipened
• Application Dates: December 5, 2010 and January 5, 2011
• Application Process: Interested Masters degree students should submit the following no later than 5pm EST on January 5, 2010 to Employment Form
• Resume (.pdf format)
• 1-page cover letter (.pdf format)
  Included should be your
  
  1. Name
  2. E-mail
  3. Daytime phone
  4. Skype ID
• Interview Schedule:
  1st round interviews conducted via Skype in late January
  2nd round in person interviews conducted in February
  Acceptance letters sent early March

Apply online here.