At the risk of sounding like I’m auditioning for the X Factor, hi there! My name is Alia Mahdi, and I am a Communication Science Bachelor’s student at the UvA. Welcome to my blog where I’ll be taking you along with me in the world of an intern in the project and product management department at AXA. As a little prelude to this blog post, I had the pleasure to intern at AXA in Egypt this semester, which, for all of you who are still living recklessly, is an insurance company that provides coverage for life, health and all things property and casualty. A usual workday begins with the ceremonial act of breakfast – a simple but crucial prologue to the symphony of deadlines, meetings and the occasional juggling act that awaits.
In the world of project and product management, the lines between the normalcy of home and the demands of the workspace blur, creating a dynamic backdrop for our daily endeavors. And ‘dynamic’ it is! The fast driven pace at AXA is similar to a newsroom with journalists bolting for their first story of the day, without the actual running… It just feels like it. As an intern, you’ll have to channel your inner Dora The Explorer, and in your duffle bag is your trusty notebook. Your journey will involve jumping from one meeting to the next, navigating across choppy waters by mitigating risks, and master the tech arsenal.
During my time as an intern, I was afforded with the luxury of choosing my own tasks. This meant that I was constantly working closely with departments spanning sales, operations, events, and others. From conveying project updates to the sales team, to creating PowerPoint pitches to crafting incentive plans, every day was a new adventure to embark on. Working in this department meant that I was a part of the execution and planning of projects. I got to experience firsthand how much cross-functional collaboration occurs to deliver projects. I would liaise with the events team to make sure that event launches were properly scheduled and organized with the necessary components (i.e. attendees, centerpieces, venue etc.). I would interact with the operations team to conduct product testing on company portals. I would communicate with the warehouse team to make sure that dispatch of brochures and materials were correctly remitted to bank branches.
An intriguing learning experience from working as an intern at AXA involved gaining a profound understanding of the delicate balance between flexibility and structure in project execution. Witnessing how adaptability is crucial in navigating unforeseen challenges while maintaining a structured approach to meet project goals was enlightening. Such a learning experience offered valuable lessons in resilience, problem-solving, and the ability to thrive in an ever-evolving professional landscape.
Inspired by the cross-functional collaboration between departments, I based my research around how perceptions of symmetrical communication related with employees’ engagement levels. What stood out to me in this internship was the departure from the typical 9 to 5 corporate routine, despite the enduring backache of course. The independence granted to organize one’s time enabled me to efficiently manage my research and work tasks on my terms. Conducting this research during my internship proved highly beneficial as it provided a hands-on opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Based on my experience, interning at AXA was a dynamic journey offering invaluable exposure. My excitement brews as I look forward to contributing as an employee and if you’ve ever wondered what its like to juggle timelines, projects, and a team of diverse personalities all at once, you’ll be in for a treat!