Internship Journey
Q: Where did you intern and what motivated you to apply?
A: I interned with CNN under Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). It was a 12-month internship as a Communications Intern. I have always wanted to work for a media company, especially CNN, as it is the household name for American news. I saw the job listing on LinkedIn and submitted my application.
Q: What are you most proud of from this experience?
A: There were many memorable moments during my internship, but one that stood out was the opportunity to work on social assets for CNN's New Year’s Eve Live social posts. Although it was beyond my official job scope, it was exhilarating to be part of the celebration, which featured a star-studded lineup. Being part of such a high-profile celebration gave me a firsthand look at global media production and the excitement of live event coverage.
Learning and Growth on the Job
Q: How did your SIM coursework help you prepare for this experience?
A: My Public Relations module (COM 441) laid a strong foundation in writing press releases and byline articles. The course assignments, especially those emphasising groupwork, helped me to collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders. Additionally, the confidence my professors instilled in me by encouraging active questioning empowered me to seek feedback on my work.
Q: What challenges did you face during your internship?
A: It was a learning curve to tailor the technical skills I learnt during lessons to real-world business needs. For example, when writing press releases, I had to consider the message that the different stakeholders would like to convey.
Q: How did you overcome these challenges?
A: I am grateful that CNN has a supportive structure where colleagues, including those outside of my direct team, were willing to take time out of their busy schedules to offer feedback and guidance on my writing. It was this community spirit that motivated me to keep improving and strive for excellence in everything I worked on.
Q: How did your internship help you grow in the areas of Head, Heart, and Hands?
A: Head (knowledge and thinking skills): My internship allowed me to apply classroom concepts to real-world situations. I improved my ability to think quickly, make strategic decisions under pressure and gained an in-depth understanding of the day-to-day operations of a news organisation.
Heart (values, attitudes, and self-awareness): Collaborating with my team to celebrate traditions and customs helped me truly appreciate the more profound impact of inclusivity in the workplace. It reminded me of the power of representation.
Hands-on (practical, applied skills): I led the end-to-end press release efforts, from gathering content and promoting on social media to distributing and compiling the coverage. This allowed me to refine my attention to detail while building my confidence in managing timelines and stakeholder expectations.
Q: How do you think these will help you succeed in your future career?
A: These experiences empowered me to lead projects, collaborate across teams and communicate clearly. I have also refined my research and writing skills, which have emboldened me to step into any future roles with confidence.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of?
A: I am most proud of simply deciding to try. I never imagined I would be interviewed, let alone offered a role at one of the greatest companies. Trying is always the hardest step, and I am thankful I gave myself a chance, which made all the difference.
Recognition and Advice
Q: What does receiving the SIM WILL Award mean to you personally?
A: It is a recognition of my efforts during my internship and validates my belief in showing up with purpose, staying committed to the work, and bringing heart to every project. It serves as a reminder of the importance of staying resilient, continuous learning, and being learner centred.
Q: What advice would you give to students who are unsure about taking up an internship?
A: If you are unsure about taking up an internship, I would say to give it a shot. You do not need to have it all figured out. The act of showing up and learning on the job is a key way to build confidence. Saying yes to opportunities would open you up to a world of possibilities, even to ones you did not know existed. Internships are spaces to grow, reflect, and prepare for life after university.
About the SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life (WILL) Award
The SIM Work-Integrated Learning for Life Award aims to provide real-world learning experiences where SIM students can develop holistically, and deepen their cognitive (Head), affective (Heart), and psychomotor (Hands) capacities for good work. It does this through offering a variety of high-quality opportunities for work-integrated learning.