School is out for summer, and most of our Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) students make use of the short break to take up an internship in the accounting and finance industry. Through an internship, students are able to gain exciting first-hand work experience and exposure to real-world businesses. Besides having the opportunities to apply what they have learnt in the classroom, the experience can also open their eyes to what their future job entails.
“This internship has enabled me to gain practical work experience in accounting. I am grateful that I was able to apply the accounting knowledge learned in class to my auditing work. Auditors need to be proficient in accounting standards and they need to accurately identify financial statements that do not meet the criteria,” said Liu Fengxin, an MPA student who did an internship in PwC Singapore this summer.
An internship in accounting and finance is not a walk in the park – interns are expected to perform rigorous functions and juggle several projects at the same time. The learning curve is steep for fresh graduates, and it takes grit and determination for them to complete their assignments. By stepping up to the challenges, the internship would be an invaluable experience that sets them apart in the competitive workplace.
“Although I was an intern, everybody took my work seriously. They gave me the autonomy to make processes more efficient. For example, I took the initiative to optimise and improve my team’s reporting template. Even after my internship, the team continues to use the template that I designed. It makes me feel that I have made a positive and meaningful impact to the team and the organisation,” shared Du Ruirui, an MPA student who did an internship in World Bank.
For graduates who are set to make their mark in the accounting and finance industry, an internship provides ample networking opportunities for them. Through their interactions with the industry partners and peers, they are able to get valuable insights into the best practices in accounting and finance. By developing professional connections and relationships with people in the industry, our students are able to establish their own networks for career advancement in the future.
“It is important to maintain interpersonal relationships at work. I have learnt that effective communication is key to fostering positive professional relationships with colleagues and supervisors. As an intern, I am glad that I have the opportunities to establish my own network in the industry,” said Li Yipin, who did an internship in InCorp Group.
At SMU, we encourage our students to apply for an internship to hone their real-world experiences. In the competitive hiring market, employers are looking at candidates with practical skillsets beyond academic results. An internship would equip our students with technical, communication, social and critical thinking skills, which are the key enablers to their success in the global workplace.
