After a chaotic internship in Mexico City left him disillusioned, Efraín Ochoa found clarity in the unexpected. The summer marked a turning point—not because of what went wrong, but because of what came next.

Disclaimer

• All characters and events in this chapter —even those based on real people—are entirely fictional.
• The following chapters contain coarse language and situations and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

Chapter 18 “Summer Internship”

My internship in Mexico City was, in a word, chaotic. The role involved crafting a business plan, but it didn’t take long to realize the company I had joined was in disarray—especially on the business side.

The creative energy within the team was undeniable, but their lack of organization was maddening. What they seemed to want wasn’t a financial strategist, but someone to hold their hand and guide them through the basics. I quickly discovered I lacked the patience for that. My skills and time felt underutilized, and frustration grew as I watched valuable hours slip away.

The final presentation mirrored the rest of the experience—rushed and sloppy. Despite my efforts, the company never gave me a chance to present my findings. It was a disappointing end to an internship that had offered so much promise but delivered so little.

Still, the experience wasn’t without value. It taught me a crucial lesson—one I’d carry with me moving forward. Not every opportunity is worth pursuing. Knowing when to walk away and recognizing environments that don’t foster growth is as important as seizing the right opportunities.

As summer rolled on, attention shifted to assembling our thesis team for the Applied Management Research (AMR) project—a cornerstone of the Anderson MBA program and a requirement for graduation.

Fortunately, I found myself surrounded by familiar and talented faces.

Alex, a close Mexican friend, was the first to join. Andy, my steadfast ally from our initial study group, was next. Juliet, another key player from that same group, quickly followed. Rounding out our team were Tanya and Ryan—both from our section and equally driven to create something meaningful.

Our collective energy was palpable. Each of us brought something unique to the table, and I had no doubt we could tackle any project that came our way.

We spent the summer scouring potential projects, weighing options, and aligning interests. Then, like fate, we stumbled upon the perfect fit—the Grammy Foundation.

Ryan wanted us to do a project that would take us to Africa. There was one with a medical company and one of the top teachers of the school, Sanjay Sood, would be our mentor. It was not a bad option but my heart was in the music industry. Thankfully, another team stole that project from our hands and we were left in LA with the Grammy Foundation.

For me, this wasn’t just an assignment. It was the dream project. Combining my passion for music with an organization of such prestige felt almost too good to be true. I couldn’t have asked for a more exciting opportunity.

All that remained was securing the right professor to guide us—someone with deep expertise in marketing research.

After careful consideration, we approached Professor Drolet. We laid out our vision, outlining the potential of the project. She listened carefully, nodding along with interest, but what ultimately sealed the deal wasn’t the project itself.

It was The X-Files.

As soon as I mentioned I was a fan of the show, her face lit up. We shared a laugh, instantly bonding over Mulder and Scully’s escapades. It was a quirky connection, but it solidified our partnership. She agreed to mentor us, and with that, the final piece fell into place.

Before long, we were meeting regularly with the Grammy Foundation team at their Los Angeles offices. The energy of the music industry was infectious, and each visit felt like a step closer to something significant.

Sitting around the conference table, exchanging ideas and brainstorming strategies, I felt an immense sense of pride.

We had assembled the dream team.

With the Grammy Foundation’s backing and Professor Drolet’s guidance, the path ahead felt exciting—filled with possibilities. This wasn’t just another school project; it was an opportunity to create something memorable, something everlasting that would linger long after our MBA journey came to an end.