HOW DID YOU COME ACROSS THIS INTERNSHIP AND WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THIS INTERNSHIP?
I discovered the internship with P&G through one of CAO’s Industry Relations Consultants and I was drawn to this opportunity for three reasons. First, P&G’s leadership in the consumer goods industry is unmatched, making it an ideal place to learn from the best. Second, I have closely followed the company’s commitment to innovation, which aligns with my passion for driving forward-thinking solutions. Third, I was impressed by the recruitment process which shows their dedication to attracting and nurturing top talent. All these factors made this internship a perfect fit for my career aspirations.
WHAT WERE YOUR MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN INTERN?
One aspect I truly appreciate about the P&G internship is the opportunity to tackle real-world business challenges that have a significant impact. During my 10-week stint as an Innovation Management Intern, I worked on a high-impact project for the Haircare business unit. My main responsibility was to identify opportunities to streamline the SKU portfolio by applying the “Less is More” principle within the consumer goods industry. This meant analysing the supply chain to reduce production complexity, collaborating with the brand and sales teams to prioritise better-selling SKUs, and ultimately driving cost savings while unlocking net sales growth.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT THIS INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE?
This internship has been an incredible experience for three main reasons. First, it gave me the opportunity to make a real impact, even as an intern, by working on real-world business challenges where my recommendations are actually implemented by my team. Second, the onboarding process was exceptional, with comprehensive training sessions that helped me integrate smoothly into the company. Third, collaborating with incredibly sharp, like-minded individuals who share a strong work ethic has made the experience even more enjoyable and rewarding. These aspects have truly made this internship invaluable to me.
WHAT WERE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACED AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
As an intern, I faced three main challenges. First, adapting to the consumer goods business as an electrical engineering student was no small feat. Navigating a fast-paced industry with complex architectures and extensive SKU lists was a steep learning curve. To overcome this, I immersed myself in the consumer experience — even going so far as to bleach and dye my hair to better understand the business.
The second challenge was keeping up with the industry’s rapid pace. I addressed this by honing my time-management skills and boosting my productivity. Lastly, effectively communicating with stakeholders was another challenge. I learned to put myself in their shoes, tailoring my ideas and pitches to align with their perspectives and priorities.
HOW DID CAO HELP YOU IN PREPARING FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP AND FUTURE WORK?
CAO offered valuable resources and learning opportunities, such as workshops and case competitions. One standout experience was the NTU PEAK Leadership Development Programme, which opened the door to real-world business challenges. Participating in the programme helped me hone my problem-solving skills and taught me how to effectively break down and tackle complex problem statements. The insights and takeaways from this experience have been incredibly valuable in preparing me for my internship and future work.
HOW HAVE YOU DEVELOPED THROUGH THIS INTERNSHIP?
The P&G internship has really sparked my curiosity and developed my strategic thinking. One key lesson I learned is the importance of understanding the “why” before diving into the “how”. Recommendations and insights don’t hold much weight without a solid grasp of the business and the reasons behind our actions. Embracing this curiosity has helped me develop a growth mindset and better justify my recommendations to stakeholders.
I also learned the value of being proactive. Regular one-on-one meetings and coffee chats with various stakeholders not only deepened my understanding of the business but also offered me diverse perspectives. Being proactive and unafraid to reach out for assistance has been crucial for my growth during this experience.
SHARE ADVICE WITH YOUR PEERS WHO WILL BE GOING ON INTERNSHIPS.
One common challenge I noticed among my peers is the hesitation to take that first step in applying for jobs, often thinking, “Why me? I’m not enough.” My first piece of advice is to be proactive and dare to try! You will not know if you are enough until you take that step, and even if you don’t succeed right away, you will learn and grow from the experience.
My second piece of advice is to fully utilise CAO resources. Many students overlook the valuable information in CAO emails, but paying attention to these resources can really help with skill development and job search. So, take the initiative and make the most of what is available to you.
