GRIP, Internships Abroad The big picture approach

This summer, I worked at a fintech startup in Sydney, Australia. It was my first full in-person intern experience and my first experience working abroad. I’d always heard of Australia’s flat working structure and was excited to get my hands dirty.

On the first day of my internship, my supervisor told me that I’d be working in business development and on the startup’s go-to-market strategy. In the first few weeks, I started a project regarding production AI. I was tasked with delivering a PowerPoint presentation exploring the technical aspects of how artificial intelligence and machine learning are used to verify stock. My supervisor told me that after completing the deliverable, I’d be presenting it to a senior bank executive… at one of Australia’s *largest* financial groups. I felt nervousness settle in and began putting a lot of pressure on myself to do thorough research.

I studied distribution processes in manufacturing, analyzed fraud risks like C-suite fraud and fake invoicing, and reviewed AI tools such as RFID tagging and mobile scanners. As I crammed paragraph after paragraph of information onto the slides, I gradually realized that my presentation was overloaded with information. The slides appeared cramped, and the sheer volume of content made it difficult to draw clear conclusions.

Upon reflection, I realized that the saying “quality over quantity” held true. I had been so fixated on appearing well-informed that I lost sight of the project’s primary objective: providing direct, actionable recommendations on stock tracking technology. Over the next few days, I distilled the vast amount of information into sleek, succinct bullet points and diagrams.

On presentation day, I was anxious, but I was intentional about communicating a clear synthesis. The executive walked through the door in a polished suit with a stern countenance, but I didn’t let this intimidate me. With a deep breath and a smile, I began my presentation.

I focused on the high-level nature of the topic and clearly referenced the intricacies that lived in the appendix. To provide context, I chose one case study to examine in depth, then highlighted its relevance to both our business and theirs. After 15 minutes of an overview, a case study narrative, and an invigorated Q+A session, I was done! The executive clapped, and my supervisor leaned back in his chair, a smile curling on his face.

This experience taught me the value of a “big picture” approach in project management. I am grateful for such a valuable presentation opportunity and infinitely appreciative of my supervisor’s mentorship over an unforgettable summer.