Are internships the best choice after college?

You don't need to a school program to work as an intern. It may be a more convenient path, but you could also approach companies you're interested in and ask hr if they offer internships.

Many companies offer internships without it being part of a school program so I agree with David that you should just reach out to the companies directly.

Yes, and if you are doing one in conjunction with a school program, you don't need to wait until after you've graduated. Many times it is better to do so beforehand. You may actually land a great job through the process!

I'm not fond of internships. I did two while in college because I was sold on the idea that it could lead to gainful employment. But, they were really just corporate "fluff" at two large companies and none of the interns I knew landed a job because of time spent as interns.

And, over the years, I've had several interns of my own. One turned out to be a fantastic find and I carried him PT through HS and Junior College. I got to see him grow up, graduate with a BSEE and get a great job at Chevron. But, the nine or ten others I had were total duds and truthfully, not mature enough to handle any responsibility and needed constant hand holding which was more like baby sitting than mentoring.

In my experience, internships only lead to jobs in high demand fields where normal recruiting efforts are not providing enough workers. The internship programs at tech firms in the SV today come to mind.

But for run of the mill accountants, salesman, etc., not so much. In fact, I've known some hiring managers to view internship experience as a negative. They view it as someone who is likely a "loser who can't find a job". Or, "the perennial student", who doesn't have a career goal.

This makes some sense as, interns have no say in the organization and no stake in it either. They are business management eunuchs. So, an internship might make sense to develop a technical skill like a specific type of programming and gain some work world exposure but, as far as employers are concerned, it's not real world in-the-trenches experience so, it's not apt to count for much for a future manager.

Evidently you are a MBA recent graduate. My advice would be to not waste your time on unpaid work on the hopes that will lead to future employment. I'd focus on getting a job, even if it's a foot-in-the-door job somewhere you'd like to work. As soon as you can. It will be better for your career in the long run and most likely, for your personal life as well in the short term.

Good luck!