Name: Aveek Sarker
Internship Company: A+E Networks
Title: Corporate Development & Strategy MBA Intern
What did you do before Stern?
I worked at a boutique consulting firm MediaLink (A UTA Company) where I advised on growth strategies for companies at the intersection of media, entertainment, marketing, technology, and finance.
What was your role?
My role was to focus on identifying and analyzing inorganic and organic growth opportunities for A+E through M&A, corporate investments, and partnerships spanning across content production studios, cable providers, TV, streaming, and technology companies.
What were your responsibilities?
On a day to day basis, I would be consolidating industry and financial research to create investment memos for a variety of investment targets, developing financial models to determine the upside potential and downside risks of strategic initiatives, and also participating in and leading discussions with company stakeholders across Ad Sales, Distribution, and Licensing divisions. My internship experience culminated with developing presentation materials for members of A+E's Board of Directors, composed of executives from Disney and Hearst.
How did you spend your time preparing for recruiting and interviews?
I spent a lot of time engaged in self-directed networking and interview prep. Early on in the academic year, I made a target list of companies and made sure to reach out to individuals in my network or MBA2s with affiliations at those companies prior to applying. Additionally, I made sure to keep up with the weekly developments in the media & entertainment industry by subscribing to key newsletters, podcasts, and industry trades. In nearly every interview, I was asked about my opinion on overarching macro trends and how the company should think about the various opportunities and risks they present. Making sure I was well-read and had fully formed opinions on industry-wide issues was critical and immensely beneficial during interviews.
What experiences (if any) helped prepare you for this internship?
My previous years of experience consulting within the media & entertainment industry definitely provided me with a solid foundation for understanding the nuances of industry terminology and overarching dynamics. Taking foundational courses such as Accounting and Corporate Finance also solidified core financial concepts that I utilized in my day to day work product. Additionally, I found speaking with MBA2s who had been in similar roles the summer prior to be very illuminating.
What was the best advice you received during the recruiting process?
If you're truly passionate about the business of media & entertainment, don't let the degree of certainty offered by other industry recruiting processes and timelines keep you from applying to roles in this one. You only need one yes.
Movie/TV recommendations:
Network, a film from 1976 directed by Sidney Lumet is an absolute must watch. Its more recent Broadway adaptation starring Bryan Cranston is also fantastic.