What have you been doing during your internship?
”I’ve mainly been writing a report on customers who have left the bank, and why they decided to do so. To be able to do that, I listened in on my colleagues’ meetings at the bank, worked extensively with data in Excel, and interviewed many of the advisors here,” says Mohamad.
It’s difficult to summarize an entire internship in one sentence, and Mohamad’s supervisor, Cecilia Nilsson, adds that he’s also been involved in the regular day-to-day tasks at the office—like weekly meetings with the rest of the staff.
We talk a bit about the difference between being a student and an intern. It’s very different to start working full-time compared to the fairly flexible schedule you have as a student. Mohamad goes on to say:
“The difference is that now I have work tasks every day. Of course, you can’t be your best every single day, but I’ve learned that no matter how you feel, you come in and do what you can for that day.”
“It’s also been really nice that once I’m done for the day, I’m free. Then I don’t have anything to worry about. I can go home, work out, hang out with friends. The weekends are completely free too. That’s really nice!”
Which part of your education have you found most useful during your internship?
“I’d say using Excel. It might not be a specific course, but because we worked with Excel during my studies, the job here has been much easier. If I hadn’t used it at university, I would have been a bit lost and would’ve had to spend time learning it. Now, I’m not necessarily a pro, but I knew the basics and have been able to develop a lot from there.”
You shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes, and it’s okay to ask questions
What is most important to keep in mind when starting an internship?
“You shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes, and it’s okay to ask questions. One thing I’ve learned is that people are kind and understanding. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes, and you’re not perfect from the start. That’s one reason you come here to do an internship: so that you can learn.”
Have you learned anything in particular from your internship?
“How to talk to people. The conversations and the methodology you use as an advisor can be hard to understand if you’re not here to see it in action. It has also opened my eyes to what you can do after you finish your studies. I feel like I’ve gained new perspectives on possible career paths.”
