What They Don’t Teach You in Class: The Unfiltered Truth About Intern Life

What They Don’t Teach You in Class: The Unfiltered Truth About Intern Life

Internships offer a glimpse into the professional world, but what really goes on? Let’s hear from Amos, our intern on his unfiltered take on this learning experience.

Q: Hi Amos, can you give us a quick introduction, and do you still recall your first day at work?

G’day mate, how are ya?

I’m Amos Seethor and I have had the privilege of being a Junior Business Analyst Intern at AiChat over the summer. Having grown up in Perth, Australia, the opportunity of an international internship has been an incredible and fulfilling experience I won’t be able to forget.

Although I’ve frequently visited Singapore in the past, I’ve never ventured past the typical tourist stereotype; visiting the attractions like Gardens by the Bay, Universal Studios and eating chilli crab. Thus, walking into the first day of my internship was like opening a book with no title or blurb - a mystery at every page.

Walking into the first day was met with a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts; do I have to call everyone Mr or Mrs? Who am I reporting under? Where do I seat?

Those thoughts were easily quelled on the first day when I was warmly welcomed and greeted by Dave (AiChat’s Chief Product Officer). Beyond the job scope, he has instilled a drive and passion for AI and its future impact on our lives that I’ve slowly come to recognise. One by one, I greeted and met everyone in the office. What I expected to be an intimidating first day turned into a seamless welcome. Their genuine enthusiasm, patient guidance, and willingness to involve me in conversations made me feel less like 'the new intern' and more like a valued part of the team from day one. I cannot thank the whole AiChat team enough for making this experience smooth and welcoming as possible.

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The Yakka

Q: Looks like you’re off to a good start. So, what did you work on?

At AiChat, I had the opportunity to work on two main projects: the development of the analytics dashboard as well as updating the current quarterly reporting system.

When I arrived, AiChat was in the midst of redeveloping their technology and system. This means I was tasked with researching and analysing the current market. Whilst it originally sounded like a dreadful data-gathering and mundane task, it quickly became clear that this was about more than just numbers and reports. It was like being handed a magnifying glass to study the market landscape, understanding not just what our competitors were doing, but why they were doing it and how we could do it better. This has led me to understanding the importance of knowing the landscape and demographics of the industry you’re in.

In the latter part of the internship, I also had the opportunity to work under Valerie (AiChat’s Chief Marketing Officer), focusing on reporting. Valerie played a pivotal role in my internship by bringing me along to client meetings, offering me invaluable exposure to the real-world application of our work as well as communicating directly with the client to discuss what they wanted from our services. That’s when I was given the opportunity to redesign the reporting format. This wasn’t just a cosmetic change—it was about making the data more accessible and actionable for the clients. In the process, I helped restructuring the format, highlighted key performance indicators, and added visual elements like charts and graphs to make the reports more engaging and helpful to take away key insights in the presentation.

Q: To end, what are the biggest takeaways from this experience?

Post-game Interview

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As I leave this beautiful country and reflect on this short but sweet period, I express my gratitude for the opportunities to learn and expand my skills. From collaborating with talented colleagues to gaining hands-on experience in a professional setting, every moment has been a valuable lesson.

The support and mentorship I received along the way, especially from the entire team, have been beyond meaningful. I’ve grown not only in my technical abilities but also in my confidence and understanding of the industry. While my time here may have been brief, the impact it has had on my career and personal growth will last far beyond this experience.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to apply the skills and insights I’ve gained at AiChat to future projects and opportunities. The lessons I’ve learned here will shape how I approach challenges and work with teams in the future, and I’m eager to continue exploring the ever-evolving world of AI and business analytics. This internship has opened doors to new possibilities, and I look forward to the next chapter of my professional journey with even greater enthusiasm and purpose.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us! We wish you all the best in your studies and hope this internship has helped you gain valuable skills and confidence to take on new challenges in the future. Keep striving for growth, and we look forward to seeing where your journey takes you next!" 

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Inspired by Amos’s journey? Stay connected with AiChat for more stories, insights, and opportunities to be part of something bigger. Internship opportunities in AI Engineering, UI/ UX, Sales & Marketing are open now for application.

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