Rene Kukk

Summer internships are a great way to gain knowledge about a specific industry. I had two goals for my final summer as an undergraduate student. Firstly I wanted to work in the financial sector in the UAE to get an idea of what working and living here might look like after graduation. Secondly, I wanted an internship where I could apply and extend the knowledge I had acquired in the classroom.

While studying away in New York, I applied, interviewed, and landed a spot with Citi in Dubai, analyzing large data sets and developing presentations. 

I learned to be proactive in seeking new knowledge and to be outgoing. I connected with colleagues as much as possible to learn from their experiences. I had thought about networking as a vaguely defined skill that had very little benefits, but now I understand how networking can make a real difference. It helps you gain a lot of insight into the business, as well as to display a strong interest in pursuing a career.

Any advice?

Research as much as possible about the organization you are applying to but more importantly, also about the specific position and department.