DISCOVER YOUR CAREER OPTIONS
EXPLORING INTERNSHIPS Committing to an internship can give you an edge over other graduate applicants as it offers valuable experience and opportunities for you to develop the skills and qualities employers look out for.
Benefits of committing to an internship
1
Boost your employability
A
n internship exposes you to the working world and gives you a chance to see how things work in a corporate setting. With an internship under your belt, you can also demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge you acquired beyond the classroom to prospective employers. Moreover, in the present economic climate, employers are on the lookout for candidates who stand out and can contribute to the company. Internships can set you apart from other applicants who do not have one under their belts.
2
Understand yourself better
Internships are the perfect avenue for you to experience the industry of your interest and find out if you can see yourself in that line of work upon graduation. Internships not only helps you to gauge your abilities and working style but also show you what aspects you need to improve on. With your preview of the industry, you can also better manage your expectations when you transition into the working world.
3
Connect to your chosen career
Employers often use internships and work placements to attract talents for full-time graduate hires. So, during an internship, try your best to shine! An internship in your chosen industry will not only help you grow your network of professional contacts, which can come in handy in the future, but may also give you an insider’s perspective into the industry.
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Ong Xin Shun BSc in Accounting & Finance, SIM-UOL Intern, Financial Services Assurance PwC Singapore “PwC Outstanding Award for Whole Leadership” Award Winner
1. My Role
As an intern in Financial Services Assurance, specialising in the Banking and Capital Markets sector, I assisted with the audit of a foreign bank through the performance of audit fieldwork in the form of Controls and Substantive Testing for several financial statement line items. This entails the execution of various testing methods, such as Reasonableness Tests to Test of Details, to achieve particular audit objectives. I was also involved in the statutory compliance review and the inspection of credit reports.
2. My Takeaway
I was fortunate to be part of a team that has given me the liberty to perform the work required on a fair allocation of the audit engagement. As such, I managed to experience a huge part of the auditing process, from the planning stage until the finalisation of the audited financial statement. This enables me to get a clearer picture of the external audit landscape and prepare me for what is to come in this field. I also learned that strategic thinking, being able to ask the right questions and communication skills are all key to being an auditor.
3. My Advice
Always keep an open mind and be receptive to constructive feedback. Remember the purpose of going for an internship in the first place, which is to learn! Be proactive and take on any opportunities available as this is a good time to not only experience the technical aspect of the job but also to establish your network in this field. Furthermore, this is a good chance for you to discover your strengths and weaknesses, and work on them before entering the workforce in the near future.
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