Building connections as an intern

Walking through the doors at Baringa will likely spell the beginning of your career in a corporate environment. This is a significant step, and attached to it might be a string of varied and strong feelings. Entering a professional workplace like Baringa for the first time may generally be a daunting experience - this is normal! A substantial part of this for me was the idea of ‘networking’ and having to converse with vastly more experienced and knowledgeable people, sometimes 20 or 30 years your senior.

You will likely be told that come the end of your internship, you will need to have displayed a demonstrable interest in the business unit and its people, as well as the wider sector. Networking properly is a key indicator of your ability to succeed in this environment. However, it is also intrinsically valuable, and can be genuinely fun!

There are a few things I’ve learnt about networking during my internship and since rejoining that you might find helpful.

Firstly, be bold in approaching the senior people in (and outside) your BU. They really appreciate and admire junior people having the courage to reach out to them. The Partners here make a real effort to be visible and approachable, so don’t feel afraid to make the most of that. They are also very friendly; in our industry they are often necessarily the most charismatic and easy to chat to, as their job relies heavily on their ability to get along with and understand people! When you are speaking to them, I would recommend bringing something to the conversation like an opinion about the industry, or something interesting you’ve noticed or learnt about your project work. Talking about their career development and history is interesting, of course, but you have an opportunity to learn from some of the most knowledgeable people in their sector, and they will invariably have some exciting and nuanced opinions.

Secondly, do not neglect building relationships with your more junior colleagues. Talking to more senior people can seem more appealing than us Analysts, but there are a few things to bear in mind. The Analysts and Consultants in your BU will be handling tasks that build upon the work and skills you might develop during your internship. We also have mostly come through the same internship program as you and will have pertinent insights and advice for navigating it and being successful. We junior people tend to have a tight bond and will always look out for each other. In a big company, as individuals who are new to the team, you will find these relationships valuable and essential for your development.

Be sure also to make the most of your intern cohort. Talk to your fellow Interns about their work, projects and who they’ve spoken to - try and expose yourself to as much as what Baringa does as possible.

While it is important to approach any work-oriented conversation with an open mind and intention to learn, do not be afraid to bring your own viewpoint. Even the most senior people can learn from us juniors. Remember that Baringa is a competitive and highly selective company, and you’ve done incredibly well to be here. You were chosen for a good reason and let that fill you with confidence. They hire us because they want to hear what we think, so have faith in your own intellect and be brave!

Find out more about early careers at Baringa