This experience helped me see that accounting isn’t a narrow career; it’s a versatile one. There are so many ways to contribute, whether through technical work, policy, communications, or global engagement. Being exposed to all of this made me appreciate just how dynamic the profession really is.
What attracted you to IFAC when you joined?
What attracted me to IFAC is its global reach and the role it plays in promoting public trust and high standards across countries. IFAC brings together professional bodies from around the world, which I found especially interesting. I’ve always had an interest in the broader accounting landscape, and being part of an international organization showed me how interconnected and diverse the profession really is.
What types of projects did you work on?
I worked on a range of communications and digital projects, including reviewing and editing speeches, articles, and press releases, supporting social media content creation, and helping manage posting schedules. I also contributed backend updates on IFAC.org, assisted with website UX reviews, and helped evaluate outdated content for archiving. On the analytics side, I analyzed website, YouTube and LinkedIn metrics, comparing 2025–2026 performance across IFAC and the Standard Setting Boards. I also supported ongoing campaigns and refreshed internal templates and user guides.
What was your most memorable experience?
My most memorable experience during this internship was working on the "End of Program" presentation with my fellow interns. It was incredibly engaging, and I learned a lot from collaborating with my peers. We were asked how a globally dispersed organization can collaborate effectively, and if I had to answer in one word, it would be communication. It all depends on how you present information, and interning in communications really emphasized that. It was exciting to come up with ideas together, and it prepared me for the corporate world, where teamwork and sharing perspectives are essential. Even when we didn’t agree, we learned how to compromise and move forward. Presenting in front of so many professionals strengthened my public speaking skills and made me a more confident person overall.
What’s the most valuable skill you gained from your internship?
The most valuable skill I gained during my internship is people skills. When I first started, I felt intimidated and unsure of how to speak up in a professional setting. Being exposed to this environment made me much more comfortable, and eventually I felt excited to ask questions and share my own feedback. I learned how to operate in an office, how to present my ideas clearly, and how to handle situations even when I do not fully agree. Meeting so many different professionals through the speaker series helped me strengthen my public speaking and made me more confident overall. Technical skills matter, but people skills truly shape your experience because they help you build real connections and create a balanced, positive work life.
What have you learned about the accounting profession that surprised you?
What I’ve learned about the accounting profession that truly surprised me is how broad it is. It’s not just about working on balance sheets or identifying assets and liabilities. It’s a growing field with an incredible range of roles and directions you can take. Interning in communications for an international organization showed me how many different paths exist within the profession and how often people pivot into new areas while still staying connected to the field.
This experience helped me see that accounting isn’t a narrow career; it’s a versatile one. There are so many ways to contribute, whether through technical work, policy, communications, or global engagement. Being exposed to all of this made me appreciate just how dynamic the profession really is.
What advice do you have for others going into internships?
Advice I have for others going into internships is to stay curious and ask questions. At first, I tended to hold back, but I quickly realized that asking thoughtful questions is the only way to get clear answers and truly understand your work. Connecting with professionals and talking to them about their career paths or experiences taught me more than I expected and helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Internships are not just about completing projects quickly. They are about producing work you are proud of and putting real effort into what you create. I also learned that it is completely normal to pivot within your career. The accounting world is broad; with countless opportunities and directions you can explore. Maximizing your potential means staying open minded, trying new things, and allowing yourself to discover what genuinely interests you.