Pratishtha Mahajan, MBA 25 recently completed her MBA internship in sustainability strategy with the Global Sustainability Team at Henkel Consumer Brands in Dusseldorf, Germany. She gives us some insights into her enriching experience, how she secured her internship and her invaluable learnings.
What is your background? What were your career goals coming into the MBA?
Before starting my MBA at IESE, I spent a couple of years working in sales and marketing for consumer-facing brands across industries including retail, consumer tech and media. While I was passionate about connecting with consumers, I realized that I wanted my work to create a larger and more positive impact. Sustainability emerged as a key area I wished to explore—a perfect intersection of business strategy and long-term impact. My goal coming into the MBA was to pivot into roles that combined strategic leadership with purpose.
How was the first year of your MBA? Did it meet your expectations? Any surprises or highlights?
The first year of the MBA was intense—academically, socially, and personally. With so much happening, I quickly learned the importance of prioritizing and doing what works best for me. From group projects to back-to-back courses, the rigor truly prepares one for real-world challenges.
What stood out most was working in diverse teams. Collaborating with classmates from different cultures and professional backgrounds taught me how to navigate business and cultural nuances while building strong relationships.
IESE also gave me the chance to hone my public speaking skills. Whether through case presentations or extracurricular activities, I found opportunities to grow more confident as a communicator—a skill that would prove invaluable during my internship.
Can you please describe your internship search process? What helped you to secure your internship? What resources at IESE helped you?
I approached the internship search with an open mind. My goal for the internship was learning, either through getting experience across a new industry or working in sustainability in a global setting. Henkel’s reputation as a leader in consumer goods and sustainability made it an ideal fit.
I started asking around if through IESE we have a connection with the organization and one of my professors connected me with Henkel’s Global Sustainability Team—a perfect example of the power of networking and the support IESE offers.
I was also impressed to learn about Henkel’s comprehensive Sustainability Training Program, which was developed in collaboration with IESE professors. Upon completing the program, employees receive an official certification from IESE, further reinforcing Henkel’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its workforce.
Henkel’s headquarters in Düsseldorf, Germany, allowed me to immerse myself in a global business hub and understand how sustainability integrates into corporate strategy at a multinational level.
During your internship, what is a typical day like? What did you learn from your internship? Were you able to apply what you learned in the MBA, and how so?
I worked on multiple projects that supported Henkel’s sustainability leadership. Each day brought new tasks and interactions with different stakeholders. Here are some of the projects I worked on:
- Evaluated global partnerships with NGOs and proposed collaborations to strengthen Henkel’s It Starts With Us consumer education program, focused on reducing emissions during product use.
- Carried out competitor benchmarking by analyzing peer companies’ sustainability goals and achievements, helping benchmark Henkel’s positioning within the industry.
- Analyzed retailer responses to sustainability initiatives globally, delivering recommendations to enable Key Account Managers (KAMs) to drive better collaboration with retailers.
- Created a global database of over 40 sustainability partnerships, showcasing Henkel’s collaborations in an accessible format for internal and external stakeholders.
I got a chance to participate in the Sustainability Team Day, where we collected over 230 kilograms of waste.
My internship reinforced the importance of aligning sustainability goals with business strategy. It helped me develop a foundational and practical understanding of key concepts like Scope 1-3 emissions across value chain, circular economy initiatives, and global regulatory standards such as the GHG Protocol and CSRD and more.
However, the team’s inclusivity was one of the most rewarding aspects of my internship. I was invited to team meetings, regional discussions—providing me with a 360-degree view of sustainability’s role within the organization. I also had the autonomy to pitch ideas to senior leaders, like a Campus Ambassador Program aimed at driving consumer awareness and sustainable behaviors among students.
I also had the rare and invaluable opportunity to showcase my work to senior leaders, including Henkel’s Global Chief Marketing Officer, the Sustainability Director of Henkel Consumer Brands, and the Head of Value Creation. Having this level of face time with top leadership was an exceptional experience.
I’m incredibly grateful to Henkel and the global sustainability team for the mentorship I received in helping me explore a career within sustainability. The structured learnings from the MBA, such as marketing and competitive strategy, equipped me to approach these tasks with confidence and clarity. The entrepreneurial mindset fostered at IESE empowered me to take initiative and pitch ideas to senior leadership.
My time at Henkel wasn’t confined to the office. I participated in a Sustainability Team Day, where we collectively picked up over 230 kilograms of waste—a stark reminder of the urgency to reduce plastic and waste. I also visited Europe’s largest carton board producer, learning firsthand about sustainable packaging innovations and regulations.
Team bonding at the Düsseldorf Christmas Market!
This was my first time in Germany, and it was filled with memorable experiences. I witnessed my first snowfall and celebrated the festive season at Christmas markets in Düsseldorf. Henkel’s own Christmas party was a highlight, where I bonded with colleagues and friends.
On a lighter note, Henkel’s cafeteria is another reason to love the company—good food in a great environment!
It sounds like a truly enriching experience! Any advice for applicants targeting similar career paths for internships or full-time roles? Is there anything you wished you had done differently?
For students aiming to work with consumer goods companies, flexibility is key. Many consumer goods companies prefer internships of 6 months, which can be challenging during a traditional summer break. To accommodate this, I opted to combine the summer and winter terms, giving me 5 months to commit to Henkel during the fall months.
While this structure meant missing some electives and international modules, the trade-off was worth it for the experience I gained. My internship at Henkel solidified my interest in sustainability and gave me a clearer vision on the kind of work I wish to do post the MBA.
Thank you Pratishtha!
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