Getting to know about the Logistic Industry: An Internship at Yunexpress

Hi, this is Lin from Communication Science! And I just spent about six months working for a logistics company called Yunexpress. I am here to share with you some insight about my internship and tips for being an intern! Let’s get started!
Before coming to Yunexpress, I had never thought I would work in a logistics company. As you can already tell, I study Communication Science, which sounds has nothing to do with logistics. Still, after I started working there, I realized that my tasks were actually related to what I like a lot which mainly were internal and external communication, and they are vital to this industry. Logistics is an industry that is highly flexible and full of surprises due to the uncertainty and complexity of having different parties involved in the supply chain process. I have learned a lot about being flexible and ready to do some extra work right before my off time! In addition, I got to know companies that are more in the business-to-business sectors, which are not known to the mass consumers. And this allows me to open up the scope of looking for a future job.
Below, I have summarised three tips that I have learned from this internship.
1. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself!
As I can understand, being an intern sometimes makes us feel we should do whatever the line manager tells us to, even when it is not something we like or enjoy. However, if you shift your perspective a little bit and think that maybe your manager doesn’t know you that much; therefore you need to tell others in the company what you might want to do and learn during the internship. I experienced a tough time in the beginning due to the lack of communication. Later, after exchanging some ideas with my line manager and colleague, I was much happier. So don’t be afraid to talk.
2. Discover the possibilities!
During my internship, I learned a lot about the department I was in and tried to find opportunities to talk with people from other teams. Conversations with others allow me to understand the company on a deeper level and the company’s goals and values. At the same time, I can also see if there is anything else I might be interested in regarding career planning.
3. Enjoy!
And one last tip is that please enjoy your internship; it is not only an excellent way to gain some work experience but also a way to discover yourself and see what you are good at, what you like, and what you don’t like. Even if you find out that the internship is not what you want or the industry is not what you want to develop your future career, at least you tried!