The Philippine Academy of Management (PAoM) Intern Reflections is a mini blog series that features the reflections of undergraduate students who conducted their internship with PAoM. PAoM interns take part in various activities with the organization including the webinars and e-Journal, to name a few. This blog series is also a part of their internship requirements with the supervisor.
In this blog post, PAoM Webinar Interns during Term 3, AY 2019-2020 of De La Salle University share their insights and experiences.
Katrina Isabel Mamenta
As a social media/website management intern, I learned that one has to be diverse and flexible. One day you may be assigned to do visuals, the next you are an editor, and today you are minutes taker. Entering into this internship, I did not even possess some of the skills I am supposed to know with this job title. Such as beautifully editing videos, programming, website design basics, and maybe even [social media] marketing. That being said, I will definitely take note of these skills and try to learn them – in the expectation of it coming up in my future work/occupation endeavors.
Like some college students nearing graduation, I am still confused on what to do after. Moreso, the stresses brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic has definitely sidetracked a lot of plans for graduating college students. Hence, the need to learn beneficial technical skills, complex cognitive skills, and social skills that may be applicable to virtual/work-from-home jobs. This internship has taught me where my skills are at, what I must strive to learn, and what should I cut down on. Simply, it gave me a glimpse of what I would like and what I wouldn’t like.
For example, I definitely wouldn’t want to be in a work role that specifically deals with working as a web developer because I lack the passion for it – with all the details that I may miss, my patience threshold, and even the nitty-gritty details of it. Perhaps I’d like a more engaging role wherein I use strategic thinking and I am not bound by a lot of regulations.
As this internship has come to a close, I’d like to thank the people who have helped me out. This has truly been a great learning experience and I’ll be forever indebted to those who gave me a hand here. As far as any internship goes, remember to always be friendly, work hard, and ask questions. Always ask questions.
Ryan Philippe Secuya
I believe the most important thing about being an intern is the application of classroom knowledge in a professional manner. In challenging times such as this, we are faced with a new challenge to learn how to effectively work from home. It was especially challenging for me since I learn new skills better in person as compared to online means.
Being a web management intern at PAOM allowed me to improve upon the skills I learned in class in a professional environment. I’ve also learned how a professional workplace operates and the soft skills needed to accomplish tasks at hand. At the beginning of this internship, I wasn’t as proficient with my editing and web marketing skills.
For example, there was one task that I had to do repeatedly because my lack of skills at the time produced a subpar output. The coordinators and the Supervisors of PAOM really helped me hone these skills during my internship. After a few weeks into the internship, I began to adapt to the workplace and integrate my hard and soft skills when interacting with the supervisors and creating outputs.
I’ve also learned a lot from the webinar series It was nice to know that there are many people who look into honing their management knowledge as well. After all the work and time done as an intern, I’ve realized that I’m more suitable in a professional position that involves business management and strategic thinking as I am more passionate in that field compared to a predominantly web based position because I do not have the passion for it.
I’m really thankful for everyone who has helped out during my internship period. This has really been an extraordinary learning experience and I’ll be perpetually obliged to the individuals who gave me a hand here. I’ll be sure to remember what I’ve learned here in the future when I become a professional as well.
Axxel Justin Prado
Entering PAOM as an intern was quite a unique experience overall. I enjoyed dedicating my time and effort to help further the cause of the organization since I do believe there is a lack of appreciation towards research in general within the Philippine context. Although initially, I was confused on what I would be able to learn and the tasks they would require me to do similar to the questions in the minds of every intern.
But what made me ponder even more about my position is that I had no idea on how the business works and that I did not know if I could apply the concepts and teachings taught to me into a business and industry I was still not knowledgeable of. Despite these initial doubts in my head, I have learned several key points during my stay.
Although it is important to be able to understand the industry and the business, the ideas, concepts, and practices taught in class will be applicable regardless of the conditions set upon the individual. It may be close to impossible to be able to apply all that we have learned all in one job position since the university prepares us for the many possibilities in our future endeavors but I can agree that numerous or several of them will definitely be of aid in accomplishing the necessary tasks set upon you.
The teachings from classes are definitely going to help in the preparation of internship and the real world but what is not given much importance would be the way and method of handling people whether it be co-workers, bosses, and people under you. The right manners, behaviors and dispositions for such situations is not something the university can forcibly enforce upon you. However, through accomplishing academic tasks individually or as a group, we are trained to work in harmony with others whether we realize it or not.
Lastly, as an individual we have our personal strengths, weaknesses, and limits. There may be days wherein I could not function as productively as I want or where I am swamped with other duties. I truly believe that having a team that supports each other, in my case my co-interns, really helped in making this internship a success wherein we support and divide tasks among our strengths to be able to accomplish what is needed.
As the last few days of internship is fast approaching, I understand that what I have experienced so far is rather just a small glimpse of what is to be expected of me in the future but I know face the future with more hope rather than anxiety for the future.
Philippine Academy of Management 