My Summer Internship Experience
During the summer of 2017 I decided to go back to my hometown, Afghanistan and had the opportunity to complete an internship with the TDCA, Roshan. Roshan (Telecom Development Company Afghanistan Ltd.) is Afghanistan’s leading total communications provider with over 6.5 million active subscribers and a network that covers over 287 districts and cities in all of the country’s 34 provinces. Roshan is a true Afghanistan success story, serving as a catalyst for economic growth and actively contributing to the country’s long term development. For example, Roshan has invested $700 million in Afghanistan and is the country’s single largest private investor and taxpayer since its inception 2013. Moreover, the company employs more than 900 people, 20% of whom are women, and provides indirectly employment to more than 35,000 people in the country. The company with the largest coverage serving 70% of the population in over 230 cities and towns.
I have joined the product management (Data and Devices) team on 11th July, 2017 as an intern. On the first day I was assigned to update the Monthly report for Data. And later on I was given a project to work independently on launching a new product which needs to work with cross functional departments as well. Below are the main tasks which need to be done as part of my project:
Business Case Development: I have worked on the revenue figures of this specific offer and have shown the incremental revenue and users considering the Go scenario and No Go scenario. I had to use analytical skills to understand the concepts very clearly.
PIP (Project Implementation Plan) Development: As the project owner I have developed PIP based on the supervisor guidance and worked closely with cross functional departments (Sales, Technology, and Finance) to implement the project based on the given timeline. I will be working and following up with all the stakeholders to launch this product in the given timeline.
Throughout my summer internship with TDCA, Roshan I have learnt a lot and here’s my top-six list of things I have learnt during my internship last past summer.
1. How to Work as a Team
Many internships, particularly office ones, can have multiple people working on a project at once. Working with other people at your internship will help you enhance your people and professionalism skills, and when you see the finished project you’ll be able to tell how important it was for everyone to come together and combine their skill sets.
2. Communication Skills
Communication is the key to happy internships. Between meetings, emails, instant messaging, note-taking, and documenting, an internship will whip your communication skills into place. A good communication channel ensures that projects get completed on time and concerns or comments are brought up. It also makes sure that everyone is doing their part and receiving feedback.
3. You’re going to Make Mistakes
Mistakes will happen, whether they’re minor or major. You might mess up big time. Remember is that everyone, even the big bosses make mistakes sometimes and the most important thing is that you understand what you did, why you did it wrong, and how to do it correctly in the future.
4. How to Take Constructive Criticism
Because you’re going to make mistakes and how to fix them, you’re also liable to receiving constructive criticism about your work. By nature, we don’t like to be criticized. Performance evaluations are scary. Ultimately, remember that your boss is not picking our flaws for the purpose of beating up your ego. Your boss merely wants the company to operate as smoothly as possible, and telling you how you can do better will improve the quality of your work. Try not to take anything personal and remain calm!
5. There’s a Hierarchy—And You’re at the Bottom
Some internships are amazing, but regardless of the company, interns are still at the bottom of the food chain. You might be asked to do some really tedious work and you might now have much of a voice, but remember that everyone else started just like you did, and promotions take time, dedication, and experience.
6. You’re Still More Important than You Think
Even if you’re still at the bottom of the career ladder, this doesn’t mean the company doesn’t need you! If you stay with an internship for a while, you gain networking, mentors, and experience. Some companies may even hire you once you’re out of school because you already know so much about the company policies.
Overall, I had a fantastic experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I had the opportunity to do internship with TDCA, Roshan last summer. Moreover, I would like to thank AGFAF and my family for their wonderful support, without which I would have not been able to get such a wonderful internship experience. During my internship at Roshan Telecom Company I have learnt indeed a lot about product management and how to work as a team to complete a project successfully. I highly recommend it to local and international friends who curious to learn more about TDCA, Roshan or would like to do internship in the future.