How holding on to hope can lead to a dream master's internship

Sometimes, succeeding in business means continuing to show up, even when the going gets tough. Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) student Sherwin Stanley Isaac, Class of 2027, is a true example of that ethos. Although landing an internship position wasn't always easy, Sherwin persisted – and ended up in a role that perfectly blended his past experience with his future goals.

Finding the perfect blend: Sherwin's story

Sherwin's story is a reminder of the importance of holding on to hope during the job application process, as you could be headed to the internship of your dreams. 

In this blog, Sherwin takes us along the road that led to his ideal master's internship. He covers his favorite moments and classes from the MIE so far, and how much his highly international cohort has taught him on the way. And he outlines how, with dedication and adaptation – and a strong ESMT support network – he was able to land a "super cool role" working with "automotive engine control unit projects for Porsche, Alpha Romeo, Ferrari, VW, and Audi."

Hi Sherwin, please introduce yourself 

Hello everyone! I am Sherwin Stanley Isaac. I am from India. To be more precise, I come from the southernmost state of India called Tamil Nadu. I used to be a professional tennis player, and was a national champion, competing at the highest level in India. I am also a professional pianist and songwriter, and a passionate drummer and singer.

I did my bachelors in Automobile Engineering and worked as an Automotive Design engineer for Mercedes and Stellantis. Then, I had different plans to pursue, so I decided to quit my job and start taking care of my family business, even starting a new branch of it. 

Now, here I am in Germany pursuing my master’s degree.

What led you to pursue a master's degree in business?

As I mentioned, I quit my job to take care of the family business. Although I had seen my parents take care of the business, and I grew up alongside that, actually managing it was pretty new to me. I also had the highest motivation to make it bigger and better in terms of scale and quality. I was planning carefully for this because I knew that this was the place where I would end up in the long term, and a 9-5 job was not where I would like to lead my life in the longer run.

But when I came into it, other than just raw determination and motivation, I did not have any practical experience. I spent one whole year experimenting with things and learning. To be frank, it was like exposure therapy for me, where I learned every single thing through my mistakes. 

Why did you decide to join the ESMT Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIE) program?

I still felt like I needed proper education or a foundation of business and management in general. So, I spoke to some of my best friends from my bachelor's degree who were also on similar paths in life, including Amanesh Ram (MIE Class of 2026). We did our bachelor's together, and he is also involved with his family business. He is someone who I look up to in terms of business (and as a person too!). He shared his experience as an ESMT MIE student. 

Then, I went through the course plan and how it is structured. I liked that we could do an internship pretty early, and take a part-time working student job, which is important for someone who is coming from another country. I also noted the limited class size, and the diverse student profile. 

All of these made want to come here. Luckily, I was admitted to ESMT too. Then, thankfully, I also had an opportunity in Germany for an important business expansion deal. So, everything aligned perfectly for me to come to ESMT Berlin, Germany.

What made you choose Berlin for your master’s and what is it like to live in Germany?

“I feel like Germany is my second home and it is solely because I have come across the best people.  Life can't be more kind to me. I’m forever grateful.” 

I did my bachelors in Automobile Engineering. So, by default, Germany was my dream destination. I also personally owned a German car. So, Germany has a special place in my heart. Also, as mentioned previously, ESMT looked like the perfect opportunity to take my professional life to the next step. Finally, coming to Germany and living away from my family would also build me as a person. 

Living in Germany! My god, I am the luckiest because I met the best people to help me and support me in the initial phase and even now. A few people like Alexander Berner (MIE Class of 2027) and Aishani Grover (also MIE Class of 2027) helped me a lot with everything initially in Berlin. 

For me, Germany is very well organized. It's pretty, it's diverse, it's welcoming. I am currently in Stuttgart and right now I feel like Germany is my second home and it is solely because I have come across the best people.  Life can't be more kind to me. I’m forever grateful. 

What is it like to be part of such a global, yet close-knit cohort?

“This is one in a lifetime experience for me, and I would never have got this education anywhere else.”

It is amazing. I have to tell you. Meeting such great quality people made me realize where I stand in the real world. Not to be too self-deprecating, but even now I am the most silent person in class, whereas everyone is highly interactive during class lectures. I initially felt that I am no match to anyone here, which made me push myself. 

I have to thank my study group members for keeping on pushing me forward to make me perform better. The reason I am here at Bosch is also because of each and every one of them. 

On a personal level, everyone is kind, I got to know about diverse cultures, their lifestyle, how they live and enjoy life, and I also got to experience everything with them. So, this is one in a lifetime experience for me, and I would never have got this “education” anywhere else.

You are currently completing your MIE internship as a Project Management Intern – Automotive at Bosch. How did you find and secure this opportunity?

“It was the perfect blend: automobile–project management, the niche which I was searching for. The next day I got a call for round two and I was hired immediately afterwards.” 

I had been searching for a project management internship since December 2025. I had applied to more than 120 companies, and my profile would get rejected right at the initial screening. So slowly, with help from the ESMT Career Development Center, I started improvising my resume, while simultaneously equipping myself and aligning myself to the job roles I want.

Then I started getting interviews and – same old story. I got rejected in interviews because my profile was at odds, as I studied and worked in automobile engineering. So, the major question in each and every interview was “why this shift?” Although I gave a convincing answer, it still wasn't enough. 

Then this opportunity was sent to me by my best friend Aman Kulkarni, Master in Global Management, Class of 2027. He is the reason I am working at Bosch. He came across the job post in Career-OS (ESMT's career platform for students) on a Sunday afternoon and called me right away and said “Bro! I came across this opportunity for automotive project management in Bosch. I think you will be the perfect fit, just go apply immediately.” I still don't know how to repay him for the help because both of us were going through the hardest time, as neither of us had a job yet. A person selflessly helping his friend is peak human nature. I am grateful to him forever for this.

I was actually having lunch at a friend's house, and as soon as he called, I left in the middle of lunch, rushed back home, and applied. Two days later, I got a call for an interview – to take place the very next day. The interview went amazingly well, the interviewer (who is also my current manager) was so impressed, and I answered each and every question because it was the perfect blend: automobile–project management, the niche which I was searching for. The next day I got a call for round two and I was hired immediately afterwards.

You are one of the students who managed to get an internship with one of our founding companies. What does that feel like and how is it going so far? 

I realized that it is one of ESMT’s founding companies after joining Bosch. It is such a cool company, and I especially love my role. It is so amazing. I work on automotive engine control unit projects for Porsche, Alpha Romeo, Ferrari, VW, and Audi. Look how cool that even sounds! 

The team is very well organized and since I have previous experience in this particular field, it was easy for me to learn and keep up with them immediately. So far, I am having an amazing time with respect to having a super cool role and a very professional and technically sound team. I am actually sad that it is going to end in three months. But it's okay, life must move on.

What is your advice for other master’s students who will apply for internships in the future?

"Don't lose hope! Just keep showing up, irrespective of what the outcome is."

I don't want to over-exaggerate things. Yes, it is competitive. Yes, it is going to be a little tiring. But don't lose hope! Just keep showing up, irrespective of what the outcome is.

My personal advice would be to start early in terms of applications. This way you will get to know about things early, analyze early in terms of aligning your resume, know early how to present yourself in the interviews, and figure out things early so you can crack the job opportunity. Just be consistent and make sure you understand what roles and opportunities align with your interest and also with your profile.

Find that balance with what you want and what you have to offer, and start applying regularly – ten applications per day, not just weekends, but every day. Make this a routine so that it doesn't seem like a burden, and you will already be halfway through. It’s going to be fun. All the best. Everyone will ace it, no doubt in it. If I can, anybody can!! 

Are you able to rely on any MIE learnings in your internship? Are there any skills seminars or professors whose teachings are sticking with you?

“It is not just a course. It is an experience. Other courses are like movies in an amazing theater, but Judgement and Decision Making is like an IMAX 3D experience. The impact stays with you forever.” 

I rely on bits and pieces from every course I have had. But, if I had to mention just one thing, it would be Judgement and Decision Making (JDM) by Prof. Francis de Véricourt. I don’t just use it in my work, but also in my business, and my life. It is the best lecture I have ever witnessed in my whole educational career and I think will be for the future, too. It is surreal. It is not just a course. It is an experience. Other courses are like movies in an amazing theater, but JDM is like an IMAX 3D experience. The impact stays with you forever.

What are your favorite memories from the MIE so far? 

My favorite memory is when I got the email from Bosch mentioning that I got selected. I was super happy, and I felt relieved. All of my friends were happy. I even hosted a party that's how happy I was! 

Apart from that MIE in general is fun, and I am happy to be part of it. Thank you for this opportunity. I feel honored and blessed to be writing my first blog post.

Thank you, Sherwin!

If you have been inspired by Sherwin’s story, or if you would like to hear more about his time at Bosch and his life at ESMT, you can find him on LinkedIn