Pok Wei Heng
Pok participated in the University of Auckland virtual microinternship programme in July 2020, gaining insight to how Auckland businesses work and changing the way he defines his career.
“I interned for Deloitte New Zealand for a month, and worked in a team of five to create a Sustainable Events Playbook for the Corporate Social Responsibility/Sustainability department. In light of Covid-19, it was an opportune time for me to learn how Auckland businesses work and what their challenges were. The short timeframe of a microinternship made it easy to commit, and I was excited to work in a team with students across the globe.
“I had an amazing experience – our team consisted of international students from India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia and it was great seeing how people with different cultures worked together to reach a common deliverable. We experienced strong synergy during the internship which resulted in a deliverable that exceeded the client’s expectations.”
Getting stellar grades is no longer sufficient to succeed, what’s more important is the willingness to learn and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
“Whilst my academic studies have taught me the theories I need to present my business case, there is no better opportunity than trying it out with a client in a safe, supportive environment. The microinternship has given me a glimpse of corporate consulting, and added an experience for me to talk about in my next job interview.
“My experiences at the University of Auckland have changed the way I define my career. As an accounting and supply chain major, my future career goal has pivoted multiple times. I am working to secure a role in sustainable sourcing, a field which looks to integrate social, environmental and ethical performance factors to the way we procure and select suppliers.
“I wholeheartedly recommend the virtual microinternship programme – it’s a quick, first taste of what it’s like to work in New Zealand, with the added benefit of working in a team and with a quality client. Getting stellar grades is no longer sufficient to succeed, what’s more important is the willingness to learn and being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
“Sustainability is the hallmark of our generation, and this microinternship with Deloitte has no doubt added another experience to convince me that a just, equitable and sustainable future is the way to go!”