Starting of my day with a warm cup of Teh from Lorong 41, I breached into the world of unfamiliarity as I embarked my journey as an intern with the Unicorn family. As I made my way towards Unicorn ‘Kampung’, with my cup in one hand and kaya toast in the other, I discovered unexpectedly that the “office” looked nothing like one. The pressure was alleviated almost instantly as the decorum immediately caught my eye. Models of supercars, antique watches, glasses and furniture brought the perfect blend of vintage and eloquence, bringing a sense of nostalgia to an environment I have never even visited before.
As I approached the table with uncertainty, I was greeted with the warm smiles of the fellow interns and the mentor, William. I would come to know this session as ‘Di Zi Gui’, focusing on personal development. Feeling lost, a fellow intern managed to pick up my unsettled demeanor and guided me through the session with utmost care. This session was a welcome surprise, as the company encouraged me to reflect upon myself and share with confidence in an environment without judgement.
Then came the lessons. Despite a cursory understanding of the finance industry, the mentors patiently guided me step by step through a plethora of financial principles. Furthermore, the sessions were conducted in a small group, making the sessions conducive and really felt like the mentors got to know me as a person rather than just a number in a classroom. For instance, a mentor, Adi, is focused on communication and explores that first-hand, by asking us about our interests in this industry. He subsequently uses our interests (such as investments) as conversation topics to stress the imperativeness of communication techniques, such as pacing and leading. As such, lessons are significantly more enjoyable, and I regard it more as a hangout session instead. Time flies by when you’re having fun!
If Mother Earth was a person, Xiaoqing would be the first that comes to mind. Constantly showing concern and care about our wellbeing, Xiaoqing would frequently check up on us and is receptive to feedback about our learning experience here with the Unicorn family. After gathering our feedback, she would tailor our schedules to cater to our needs and interests. Despite her busy schedule, Xiaoqing goes the extra mile to invite us to events where I’ve gained invaluable experiences and connections. With her unwavering support etched in my memory, I’ll always remain grateful to her.
After my thirst for knowledge was quenched, I was ready for more. I was then presented with the opportunity to apply my knowledge. Previous winner of an internal competition and a steadfast mentor, Chong Chin, assigned me a case study as a guideline, where I started to get a sense of direction. This hands-on approach really helped me grasp a deeper understanding, making me feel like I was a detective solving a case. His critical yet warm feedback brought insight to his fastidious approach, allowing me to carry over these values and newly learnt skills into practice. Getting praised by someone with great attention to detail felt like music to my ears!
As my memorable experience at this internship draws to a close, I fondly recall my little insignificant moments that feel like a lot in retrospect; homely lunch with the Unicorn family, camaraderie built during morning sports sessions, and the valuable learning sessions from the mentors. I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude as this golden opportunity was presented to me. A special shoutout to Alan, who was dedicated to educating us the usage of a plethora of financial instruments. He stepped up with great passion to mentor us in a meticulous manner despite having no obligation to do so. All in all, as I continue as an investor with them, my journey as a friend with Unicorn is far from over.
