So after 6 weeks, I guess it's time to reflect on this entire experience so far, and I have to pretty much decide soon whether I would want to do this full-time. The past 6 weeks have definitely been an intensive learning experience. I have learned so much more about the process, the going-ons behind deals, and of course, lots of more advanced accounting principles and have become more adept at reading financial statements and calculating trading multiples, from doing comps and company profiles. It has definitely been rewarding in that sense, though it would have been more rewarding had I been able to use more of what I have learned, besides stuff I learned from Intro to Accounting, which I have forgotten already anyway.
The biggest struggle I have the past 6 weeks is definitely finding a balance between work and everything else. Work basically takes a priority over other areas of life and it was really hard for me initially having to stay till late at night and also come back over weekends to work, because I still want to spend time with my family and friends, knowing that I don't have much time left. Let's just say..my priorities aren't exactly in tune with what's expected of me. I got used to it over time and I have come to expect to work late nights and over weekends as well. But there's still this nagging feeling of having no life outside work at all and I guess that's something I'm still trying to deal with. It seems that it's a really busy time for the bank, especially for my team (even the VP stays until 4am). Being involved in 2 big projects was already tough and I pretty much went back after midnight everyday, and I was involved in another later on as well. I was lucky if I could get 5 hrs of sleep (went home at 2-3 everyday), but the accumulation of lack of sleep and late nights really leaves me feeling tired. On the flip side, I was able to learn much more, and I dare say more than what other interns are learning.
Besides that, I like the people at work and the working environment. The department is relatively small and I guess that's one reason why we get to interact with the people in the department a lot. In fact, it doesn't really feelThe other interns are quite funny as well and I've been getting along well with them..and it helps that they also work till late as well..at least I'm not the only one working late, though I've been going back much later than them recently. I'm really going to miss them after this.
So it's down to the last 3 weeks of my summer holidays, and 2 more weeks of work left, with the last week of internship in Hong Kong being supposedly more relaxing. I have been frequently asked whether I have really enjoyed my holidays, especially since work takes up most of my time and it is really very hectic. Honestly to me, being back here and at home is already good. And I guess it feels different to be taken care of instead of having to look after myself all the time. I don't regret taking up the internship at all, well, except that I wish I could have spent more time with my family and friends. Time is definitely not on my side as I try to find time to meet as many friends as possible before I head back. And I barely have time to settle school stuff as well, which is mainly finalising the courses I want to take. After this internship, I'm more inspired to take accounting or corporate finance-related courses haha. Though I still can't seem to decide whether I should go into econs or business. Ah well.