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I Landed A Disney AND TikTok Internship While Studying: Here's How

Find out how this business school student landed two management internships with top media and entertainment companies, TikTok and Disney

Wed Feb 15 2023

BusinessBecause
Michael Salloum landed both TikTok and Disney internships during a gap year while studying at business school.

The computer and communication engineering grad from Beirut, kickstarted his career as a senior analyst for KPMG in Saudi Arabia. But determined to break into the media entertainment industry, he decided to enroll at business school. 

Michael moved to Paris to study the master’s in management (MiM) program at HEC Paris, one of the top MiM programs worldwide. 

The decision helped him land a strategy internship at the popular video-sharing social media app, TikTok. It also helped him secure a second internship at mass media entertainment company, Disney. 


How I landed Disney and TikTok internships while at b-school

Through his extensive consulting career in Saudi Arabia and computer engineering and economics background Michael had a good idea of the industry he wanted to work in when he enrolled at HEC Paris. 

The transition from consulting to business school in Paris would, Michael felt, enable him to connect with the school’s notable alumni base and in turn network with big companies within the media entertainment sector. 

“I think I’m lucky to have a clear vision of what industry I wanted to break into,” Michael explains.  9cc1ce7f54d50969c0d9649f1a934ebbaaadede6.png

This determination helped him keep on top of any available opportunities at big entertainment companies and inspired him to network as much as possible with people working in the field. 

Both were essential in helping him land his internships, he says. 

Also key to his success: Michael developed a range of practical skills while studying at HEC. He worked on case studies from Disney as part of a strategic marketing course he took at HEC Paris which helped him build a tangible portfolio that he could go on to present to his prospective employers.   

“The skills I gained from my coursework in digital, data marketing and strategy were broad, and I used them as discussion points during my internship at TikTok and as interesting conversation starters during interviews,” Michael says. 


What was a TikTok internship like? 

After a smooth process of applying online and attending two interviews, Michael was offered a six-month strategy TikTok internship in Paris.

His role focused heavily on conducting market research and gathering industry specific market intelligence related to French audiences. He reported his findings using data analysis. 

“As a strategy associate, my role was very consulting based. My work was very internal to driving business forward,” says Michael. He explains how he worked closely with cross functional teams during his role in developing key market research.

“I had the chance to see how a tech giant, like TikTok, competed with other major social platforms. I could really see the growth and development of such a big company from the inside,” says Michael.

Now, a month after finishing his TikTok internship, Michael has begun a different internship in franchise management and integrated planning with Disney. 

“In my role at Disney, I’m going to be working in a department which handles all of the different franchises like Star Wars, Marvel etc. I’ll be helping make sure that everything is executed within Disney guidelines,” he explains. 


How do internships prepare you for career success? 

Landing key industry internships, while studying at HEC Paris, has equipped Michael with the skills and experiences needed to launch a career in management after graduation.

Michael notes that his internships have helped him with his career direction. He says his time at TikTok made sense for him as he was focused on branching out into the entertainment industry, while his position at Disney will open doors internationally within franchise management. 

“I was tempted to apply for traditional jobs before going to business school. But I would say stick to your passion and design your master’s in a way that will help you accomplish your goals,” he adds. 

Student Reviews

HEC Paris

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.

Student

Verified

7/07/2022

On Campus

Cultural experience

I have met the most competent and diverse batch in this school. These people not only thrive on their own but also makes sure that you are doing it with them. The professors will take your had and walk you through all milestones and make sure you are not left behind. I have found their extracurriculars extremely engaging. There was always a room to have social life after academic life. The only hindrance is the location of the school, it is slightly outside city and living in city is expensive.

Sarah

Verified

18/03/2022

On Campus

Internationality and diversity of opportunities

About my programme I would say it is very international and flexible: we have the opportunity to choose exactly the courses we want. But at the same time, the frame of the campus is crucial in students' life and enable us to create friendships.

Student

Verified

29/10/2021

On Campus

Great selection of people

While HEC's MBA is highly selective, I really enjoy the type of people HEC's selects to make sure everybody gets the best out of their MBA experience and networking opportunities. Not only it's an incredibly diverse pool of people (~60 nationalities) but most importantly they make sure to let in friendly empathic and curious people.

Veronique

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

Best in France for Grande ecole

A prestigious business school. Languages ​​are important. It is better to have a scientific baccalaureate with excellent grades in high school and good assessments. The courses are well designed as per the latest trends and practicality of learning in stressed upon. Overall, a very good experience.

Ghadi

Verified

11/06/2022

On Campus

Diversity and quality of fellow students

Very international and interesting place to be and opens a lot of opportunities, however the administration is very french and facilities are subpar (gym, classrooms) meaning the academic affairs is pretty much useless and lastly we are graded on a curve which can create a toxic environment because of the competition. With that being said the pros outweighs the cons by far.

Student

Verified

27/03/2022

On Campus

The quality of the teachers, the campus, the clubs

The school is very international indeed, we have courses with international students and share things with them within the extra academic life (in the social clubs especially). We have great career prospects if we prepare ourselves well - however, the global curriculum is still very finance-oriented, which is a pity for other interesting domains of the company world, which does not rely on finance only. The social clubs are good practice for the management and for now, are quite independent.

Lb

Verified

26/03/2022

On Campus

HEC Paris awaits you

HEC Paris is really a nice place to do a master's in business. Many classes are useful and interesting (corporate finance, financial accounting, contract law…), some are less - but the curriculum is to be reviewed in the year to come. Regarding the student life, it is incredible, with about 130 clubs, lots of great parties with even greater people. The Jouy campus offers a lot of opportunities to do sports, and you can breathe fresh air every day. HEC also helps a great deal to find an internship or a job.

Rajarshi

Verified

28/10/2021

Blended

A dream institute

Enrolling in the HEC MBA was by far the best decision I made for myself. The people and faculty are great, with lots of opportunities to meet people and expand your horizons. Very nice campus where I have had some good running sessions. The alumni network is superb and very helpful. It also has a good support system for entrepreneurs. Would definitely recommend it!

Student

Verified

19/10/2021

On Campus

Good choice for a career boost

The classes were extremely practical and relevant to the current challenges that businesses are facing. You have access to a wide range of professionals and good career prospects once you leave the university.