GRIP, Internships Abroad To Build and Grow: Exploring the Hospitality

GRIP: Business Development in Singapore

When I first learned that I’d be working in business development for one of Singapore’s most well-established multinational luxury hospitality brands, I wasn’t so sure what to expect. Prior to this role, I’d worked in growth marketing for a startup so the prospect of working a 9-6 corporate job in a new country felt a bit daunting.

Over the course of my 2 months at Banyan Tree, I’ve discovered that I’ve not only grown professionally, but also personally. I’d not only learned the hard skills of building decks and how to present information in a clear, compelling way; I’d also learn how to foster friendships with coworkers and how to have a frictionless experience joining the culture and cadence of the company. And here, I’ve condensed a few of the important skills and mindsets that I’ve developed through my internship.

Discipline. It sounds very basic, but the initial adjustment to a 9-6 work schedule can be extremely taxiing on the mind and body. For someone who is not exactly a morning person, I had to find an encouraging morning routine that would take me through a one-way 45 minute commute by MRT just to get to the office. There was also the type of discipline that happened at the desk; During long hours and with blocks of passive time whilst not actively working on a project, it was especially important to maintain focus and proactively find ways to help get work done.
Proactive. I found that it was important to be proactive about my work and relationships, especially with my boss being out of the office for most days due to business travel. My boss had a pretty hands-off approach, but if there was a deal or industry trend I wanted to learn more about, I would need to be proactive to initiate and schedule some time with him to sit down and ask such questions. Just a small ounce of courage went a long way in my personal learning and professional development.

Confident and supportive attitude. I was able to build some confidence when I could prove to myself that I was capable of completing a task I initially found difficult, or when I mustered the courage to speak up at a meeting. Coupling this confidence with an attitude of support for others was also empowering; For example, showing up for my coworkers and other departments’ workshops (i.e. legal department’s IP Law workshop) fostered a camaraderie and genuine interest in each other’s work and diverse backgrounds.

Eagerness to learn. If you can show an eagerness to learn, mentorship will follow. While I only expected to work in BD, my curiosity for legal affairs led me to the Legal Counsel Director of the company, who walked me through an internal case where I was able to lead my own legal research. It was a very unique experience that I would not have otherwise gotten if I hadn’t let myself be curious and explore different parts of the company.

While these key skills and takeaways are not exclusive to this particular workplace or internship type, I am very grateful for this unique opportunity to develop my business acumen and apply it to the hospitality industry. I have a newfound appreciation for this work and I’m really grateful for a professionally and personally fulfilling experience through Banyan Tree this summer. These lessons are definitely ones I will sit with and strengthen as I go forth with my next opportunity.