Lessons from an Interstate Intern: Why you should seek a challenge that takes you out of your comfort zone

When I first started applying for summer internships, I was met with a limited selection of positions that interested me, with even fewer options in my hometown, Melbourne. I applied for the programmes I thought would match my university studies, in companies I could imagine myself working for.

When I stumbled across the Unilever Leadership Internship Programme (ULIP), I realised that both the program and company embodied everything I wanted in a summer internship. I was on the hunt for a program that was tailored for marketing and would give me hands-on experience working with big brands in a fast-paced environment. As a global leader in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry, Unilever ticked all the boxes.

In the rest of this blog I’ll share what it is like to be an interstate intern at Unilever, and in the process outline things you can do to get the most out of opportunities like this.

The challenge of relocating

Moving from Melbourne for a Sydney-based job, I found there to be many challenges to overcome and many exciting new adventures to experience.

The first hurdle I had to overcome was finding a place to stay, and rent in Sydney isn’t cheap. My best advice would be, if you are planning on moving to a new city, get a head start in finding yourself a new home. If you can bunk with a friend or family member I would highly recommend it, otherwise there are heaps of websites that can help you book a place – I’d recommend Airbnb or Flatmate Finders. Finding somewhere you feel at home is so important, especially when you’re due to spend at least a few months there.

From a student’s perspective, budgeting is definitely the way to go. Find accommodation where you can share the costs, instead of living on your own. Do a weekly grocery shop to save money on buying lunch every day. You may think now that going out for Sushi or Subway is a quick fix, but do that five days a week for a few months, and it really starts to tap into your savings.

My life as a Unilever intern

One of my biggest inhibitions before starting on Day 1 was being worried about not making friends or fitting in. That worry was quickly put aside, all thanks to Unilever’s friendly and welcoming environment. From the get go, everyone felt like family and I was immediately adopted by my team, and from speaking to others, this is the same whether you are working in Finance, Supply Chain, Marketing, or any other function.

What makes Unilever such an easy place to fit in is the warm ambiance throughout the office. Thanks to the agile working environment, everyone is free to sit where they like, making it easy to meet new people and find friendly faces around the office.

The whole setup works wonders, and as time goes on I feel myself getting ever closer to my family in the office, which ranges from Interns to Brand Managers, and even to Board Members.

I found the division I was working in to have the largest impact on my time at Unilever. Being placed in the marketing team for Household Cleaning (HHC) I got to learn from an incredible team with years of experience. I’ve been able to experience the diverse thinking that comes when collaborating with teams from overseas, brand leads and even board members. The HHC team truly made me a part of their family and showed me what’s what, allowing me to quickly learn how to work in a fast-paced environment, and giving me great insight into Unilever’s culture. 

Throughout the time I’ve spent at the company, my highlight of the internship program would be working on an international brand launch for the Australia & New Zealand market. Diving head first into such a large project was both daunting and invigorating, allowing me to liaise with international employees as well as get a full brand launch experience. I can’t wait to have a look at the finished product, and see all the work I’ve put in be released to the public.  

The key attitudes driving my development

After settling in, there were two things I found that truly heightened my Unilever experience; saying yes to everything, and always asking questions. As an intern people understand you’re new and don’t know the ropes just yet, and they almost expect you to be filled with questions.

Let me tell you, if you feel like you know everything, you are in the wrong place. Do not be afraid to ask others for help, or shadow someone to learn what their role involves. If you don’t show your willingness to learn, then you won’t be making the most of your intern experience.

By adopting this inquisitive attitude my professional development sped up significantly, but what I didn’t expect is how beneficial it would be in a personal sense too. I came into this role not knowing many people in Sydney, nor much about the city itself. However, my new Unilever family soon answered questions about where to eat, or what beaches to go to. In both a professional and personal sense, they taught me the ropes, and I now consider myself an honorary Sydney-sider.

Knowing I made the right choice

My final word of advice is to truly indulge in everything Unilever has to offer; the ULIP is a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity where you are learning from the best. Ultimately, you only get out what you put in, and the more you get out of your comfort zone, the greater experience you will have.

What sold me on the ULIP was the structured projects you get to work on, as well as the flexible environment Unilever offers. The ULIP is an intensive but immersive 3-month program, that allows individuals to truly experience one of the global FMCG leaders and find the right fit for them. There is also the possibility that you could continue your time with Unilever, which for any soon to be graduate is a great opportunity to consider.

Success is never achieved inside your comfort zone, and that is what inspired me to make the move. As nervous as I was accepting this position, it has opened my eyes to a whole new world of marketing, and as an intern it gives me the opportunity to truly unleash my full potential.