International business is no joke. It is not child?s play, a walk in the park, or any other phrase you can think of meaning ‘easy.’ The best word I would use to describe the last couple of weeks at my internship would be challenging. Expectations are high, but the people are kind and helpful ? an observation I noticed from the start and held out to be true to my current point.
Something that is reiterated to me is the importance of adding real value to the company through my final deliverable. My supervisor emphasizes this to me at every meeting with some direction on how to do so regarding the new platform they are launching. Although the ambiguous nature of my large task is looming, I know I need to push through and take personal initiative as hand-holding is not prevalent here in the Singapore business world. On the other hand, creativity, innovation, and a strong work ethic are common. In my viewpoint, working in Singapore requires a little more intensity than my experience in the United States. This is not a blanket statement but has been what I have noticed in my particular office. Competition takes place not only on the business-to-business level but is also focused on in the business-to-government side. Because the government in Singapore provides subsidies that benefit the industry I am working in through my internship, I have had to stretch my understanding and think about marketing to governments along with businesses and consumers.
In the office I intern in, people take pride in their work but also are very family oriented. Several workers have taken time off to take care of a family member or child, so while work is placed at a high value, family takes precedence. I have enjoyed hearing stories that my coworkers share about their children and family life.
This internship has pushed me in several ways and I continue to grow by the hour as I receive a new task or present an update to the COO. Truthfully, it has been harder than I expected but I am grateful for this eye-opening opportunity. My experience has given me a look into the private sector world as well as what it takes to work in international business.
