HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS INTERNSHIP AND WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS INTERNSHIP?
I came across the Singapore Stryker Internship programme on LinkedIn. I was drawn to it because it offered a great opportunity to expand my knowledge in HR through the various projects assigned to interns.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN INTERN?
As an HR intern at Stryker, my responsibilities included both project-based tasks and ad-hoc assignments. Some of the projects involved drafting learning guides for employees to access resources and analysing user reports for the Employee Assistance Program to provide insights and recommendations, among other tasks.
Mariam’s first meetup with her mentor, Mr Patrick Lew (rightmost), from CAO’s LevelUP mentorship programme.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?
What I liked about this internship experience was the diversity of my responsibilities. I had the chance to work on tasks related to my team (Rewards & Ops) as well as other tasks such as compensation and benefits and learning and development. After my internship ended, I continued to work with Stryker on a part-time contract basis, helping the Talent Acquisition team with this year’s internship program from start to finish. I appreciated the company culture. My colleagues are all incredibly friendly and supportive, and I have really enjoyed working and learning from them.
WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
One of the challenges I faced was that my colleagues were busy professionals. They did not always have the time to answer my questions or follow up on discussions we had about certain shared tasks. Over time, I learned that it is sometimes okay to make decisions independently, as long as I keep them informed about the actions I have taken to move the task forward.
HOW DID CAO HELP YOU IN PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP AND FUTURE WORK?
The CAO events have certainly broadened my experience overall — from my network to opportunities and knowledge. One standout event was the LevelUP! mentorship programme, which incidentally led me to my first internship opportunity with another company (Woh Hup). I have both the programme and my mentor to thank for that. The mentorship programme helped me expand my knowledge in HR, and my mentor assigned me a task that encouraged me to connect with an HR professional on LinkedIn. After reaching out, I was invited to apply for Woh Hup’s internship opportunity, and somehow, I landed it!
HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP?
In terms of skills, I have really honed my public speaking abilities, along with skills in stakeholder management and organising tasks. One key takeaway for me is to not be afraid to ask questions and take the lead when it is appropriate. For example, if a colleague is too busy and you need a prompt response from a stakeholder, it is important to step up.
SHARE ADVICE WITH YOUR PEERS WHO WILL BE GOING ON INTERNSHIPS.
My advice is to be proactive — ask questions, seek out opportunities, and inquire about tasks you can take on even if they are unrelated to your role. At the end of the day, you will learn a lot more and see how different functions come together to work as a business! Most importantly, enjoy yourself and don’t be afraid to be honest with your supervisor.
