Kwanii holds a special place in my heart as it was my first internship. It gave me a glimpse of what it would be like to be a professional in human resources and contribute to a welcoming and productive workplace. The experience was both exciting, overwhelming, and, most of all, life-giving. I feel so fortunate to have found a community in Kwanii, especially since it is the first company that I have worked for. This experience taught me how to balance individual growth and being part of a team that shares the same passion and goals, which leads me to three impactful takeaways.
1. Independence and Responsibility
Taking initiative is essential in a workplace, as it equates to having a sense of responsibility. I have seen these traits from my fellow HR interns and supervisors, and I have experienced firsthand how much they can influence the people around them like me. Passion is contagious and helps everyone in a team become more motivated to achieve the goal that they are collectively striving for.
There was a time during my internship when I got quite overwhelmed due to the large amount of information and features that I had to remember for a certain HRIS application. While it was challenging, I refused to give up nor give into the anxiety of encountering something unfamiliar to me. I aspired to be an intern who could significantly contribute to the HR team, particularly given their exceptional work ethic. With that, I navigated aspects of the said HRIS application during my own time, which helped me become more familiar with it. Every time I explored and used its features, I felt more comfortable using it!
In line with that, I also took the liberty to find my own pace and work ethic during my stay in Kwanii. I have bookmarked and compiled important links that I will occasionally need to access due to my tasks' demands. I also created my own interview guide, as well as my own method of writing notes and keeping track of updates I plan to report to my supervisors. I didn't want to be too dependent on my fellow HR interns or make them feel like they had to spoon-feed me everything, especially my mentor. Despite still having a lot to learn as an intern, I also wanted to establish my independence during this internship. I aspired to prove to the HR team and myself that Kwanii made the right decision to choose me.
2. Team Player
Even if I aspired to be independent, this did not equate to losing sight of the team. Most of the tasks assigned to interns are individually achievable, yet the adage "Teamwork makes the dream work" remains relevant in our setting. The HR Team is committed to selecting deserving candidates who align with the mission and vision of our company, Kwanii. While we do our interviews individually, we deliberate and make decisions as a team. One thing that I really appreciated during my internship was the frequent HR synchs or team huddles, wherein the HR team could communicate with each other about our progress. This practice of transparency helps fuel our determination to keep up with our progress and pace, and it also emphasizes that our goals are truly a team effort.
Another thing I keep in mind is to not be afraid to ask questions or show some vulnerability. Yes, I have something to prove but I am also here to learn and gain experience! Whenever something is unclear or intimidating, I learned not to hesitate to ask my mentor and my supervisors, who are always willing to lend a helping hand. Seeing questions as learning tools made my stay in Kwanii more fruitful. Furthermore, clarifying and discovering new things is also beneficial to my team because it allows me to do my tasks efficiently.
Despite assigning our own tasks, it remains crucial to maintain sensitivity and empathy towards other team members. I have observed that Kwanii, particularly the HR Team, has a culture of regularly checking in on each other. When we have the time and space to assist in others' work, we offer help. This fosters a working environment consisting of guidance and openness.
3. Strive for Growth
These takeaways focused on independence and collaboration all highlight one value: growth. Kwanii is a company that allows me to grow, whether individually or as part of a team. I learned that all my actions contribute to the betterment of myself, the HR Team, and Kwanii. It is always a win-win situation for everyone!
Knowing that what you do has a purpose for you and others makes the service even more invigorating and fulfilling. Moreover, Kwanii’s environment encouraged me to use the results of my growth back to my community.
Even if my stay in the company is only limited to 2 months, I can confidently say that I have already learned so much from them. These values and lessons are ones that I will bring with me as I continue my studies and eventually officially start my career in the future.
In conclusion, I really admire Kwanii as an organization because it fosters a sense of community among its members. I'm grateful to my supervisors, the previous batch of interns, and the current interns for making my stay so memorable. I am happy to say that this opportunity helped me balance learning and contribution, which led to growth that has always been the end goal.
