Why did you choose to complete an Internship?

I chose to complete an internship as an opportunity to enter the Australian job market, which is quite unique and has several differences compared to the Brazilian one. When we start our lives here as students or recent graduates, we are not familiar with Australia’s corporate culture. There is a lot to learn when it comes to the right attitude, their way to communicate, and how we are expected to achieve their goals at work. I already expected that there would be hurdles preventing me from unleashing my potential and I saw completing an internship as a bridge where I could change, adapt, and upgrade myself to this new environment.

 What have you learned the most during your internship?

Independence is the keyword. I was provided the sources of information that I needed to do the job, but I was expected to take my projects as if I was a full-time employee rather than just an intern. The more independence that I showed the harder were the tasks I was assigned to. A close number 2 is interdisciplinary. I am a chemical engineer, but my projects were slightly more complex than that, including chemistry, microbiology, hazardous materials, and more. That was a good challenge and it made me grow as a professional. 

What benefits do you feel Australian Internships contributed to your internship?

Australian Internship’s team is always helpful and will promptly answer your questions. They’ve provided very needed support in my every step during the process. From the initial assessments and talks to get to know my professional profile well, finding the right interviews according to my profile, introducing me to the differences of Australia’s recruitment process, and helping me targeting certain industries and potential geographical regions to seek the best internship.

What advice would you give future interns regarding internships?

Firstly, take the initiative to look for an internship as early as possible. It is an extremely valuable experience, and it opens several doors in this country. Then, show your interviewer how independent you were in your past experiences because I feel that it is one of the most important values when working in Australia. Once you start your internship, focus on excellence, and again, on independence. It will make your workmates trust you and delegate more important tasks. Finally, have fun in your internship! This is the “lucky country”, and its corporate environment can be quite relaxed and informal compared to how it is overseas.

What do you enjoy most about Australia?

The list is long, and livability is right at the top. How stunning the cities are, the roads and public transport are excellent. There are plenty of arts, culture, international cuisine, and music. There are urban parks in every suburb and the most beautiful natural reserves across the country. Australians are friendly, easy-going, loyal, and mostly drama-free. There is no place in the world closer to having a work-life balance as good as Australia’s. From having a Carlton Draught while watching the footy during lunch with your manager to the quick way of solving problems and also how efficiently you start and finish your projects at work. Everything in Australia is just perfect.