From University to M&A Intern: My MP Internship Experience

An M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance was not something I had planned when I graduated. As a 21-year-old recent graduate, I, like many others, had no clear plan for what to do after completing my bachelor’s degree in business administration. The only thing I knew was that I was eager, motivated, and ready to enter the world of finance. I quickly realised that MP Corporate Finance was a unique place that suited me perfectly.

What I expected before my M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance

Before starting my internship, I wasn’t fully sure what to expect. I had completed previous internships, although not directly in M&A, and university had given me some theoretical exposure to the field, including financial modelling and a broad understanding of the M&A process. At the same time, I had heard half-true horror stories from friends and watched entertaining but clichéd Hollywood films such as The Wolf of Wall Street. Although the film is not about M&A, it had contributed to my image of finance and investment banking as an arrogant, cutthroat world of excess. That image quickly dissolved when I arrived at MP.

What I did during my M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance

As soon as I joined, I was staffed on a project that was eventually signed. Full of excitement and a little overwhelmed, I immediately felt the dynamism of MP, which stayed with me throughout my internship. My daily work included preparing detailed market reports, target longlists, and comparable company valuations.

I also had the opportunity to take on responsibility early on, including some client contact, due diligence preparation, and independently managing parts of a workflow, always with guidance from senior colleagues. Through these tasks, I gained insight into many stages of an M&A process and worked on mandates across several industries, including MedTech, Beauty & Ingredients, and Aerospace, giving me a broader perspective on current M&A activity globally.

What I learned during my M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance

One of my most important learning experiences was realising how much sector expertise matters at MP. Working across different industries, I saw how deeply my colleagues understood the companies and markets they advised on. As I carried out my own research and analyses, I began developing that sector knowledge myself. The learning curve was steep and the colleagues around me made a huge difference.

While it is easy to get lost in the details as a junior, M&A is a people business. At MP, I worked with smart and unique people from diverse backgrounds who made me feel welcome, shared a joke during long evenings, and took the time to give me feedback. I was particularly impressed by their combination of sector expertise and creativity. Being part of that team helped me become more confident, open-minded, and able to think beyond the obvious.

Advice for your M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance

To get the most out of an M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance, my sincere advice is to stay driven and open-minded. Being driven means developing a “getting things done” mentality: taking ownership of your work and doing your part to move a deal forward. Being open-minded means constantly expanding your horizons, listening to different perspectives, and looking for creative solutions. MP’s approach is reflected in its people, who currently represent 26 nationalities. If you bring those two qualities with you, I believe you will quickly feel at home.

Looking back

In the end, I learned that the Wolf of Wall Street image had little to do with life during my M&A internship at MP Corporate Finance. The work can be intense, but I found a supportive team that cared about doing good work and helping each other grow. Starting a career after university can feel overwhelming, especially given the current state of the world, from geopolitics to AI. Speaking from experience, at MP you will feel welcome and have the chance to develop quickly into a driven, open-minded sector expert.

Want to learn more about starting a career in M&A? Visit our careers page or explore our sector expertise.