20-year-old FEU Institute of Technology ECE student Joanah May Lambino has just finished her three-month internship at SM Retail Inc., where she was given the responsibility to oversee big company projects. The Innovator sat down with her to get all the details of her experience in the Real World as a "mini-boss." Here's what she had to say:
What was your position at SM?
"My official title was Junior Network Project Manager."
Wow! That sounds impressive. What did you do as a Junior Network Project Manager?
"It was really cool," she said, laughing. "I got to be a mini-boss! I was assigned to monitor equipment and renovations, oversee projects for retail affiliates, for new malls, for security, I helped plan and organize major projects for the company."
What was the experience like?
"Honestly, at first, I thought it was going to be really hard. But I got into the groove, and I began to enjoy every moment of it. It was like a real job, a really great real job. I was assigned to Mall of Asia, and my schedule was 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday. My supervisor treated me well and was very friendly, he was more like a mentor. He taught me the ins and outs of SM. I was also able to make new friends, gain valuable connections, learn new things I learned how to be a boss."
Was it hard for you to get your internship at SM?
"Not really. The College does a lot to help you find the right internship. For me, even though my internship wasn’t directly related to my program, I still got to learn about how to be in management, which is pretty much my goal. I want to be a boss, so this internship was perfect for me."
Do you have any advice for students starting their internships soon?
"Don't be afraid to grab any opportunity that comes. Act like a professional. Don't take criticisms personally, but take them as lessons. When you get a job in the future, you'll be able to apply what you learn more easily."