26 November 2021
Internships, studying and company culture: Q&A with Aman Kaur
Alongside studying for her degree in Business and Accounting, Aman joined the team at Haines Watts as a People and Culture Intern. We sat down with Aman to reflect on her time at Haines Watts.
Why did you want to undertake an internship alongside your studies?
I decided to undertake an internship alongside my studies as I wanted some practical experience to prepare me for the world of work. Having previously completed a summer internship in an accounts receivable department at another firm, I wanted to gain an insight into business support especially for employees, which is why I felt that an internship within the people and culture team would be beneficial going forward.
As well as increasing my employability, I was also keen to get a better understanding of the kind of role I would like to pursue after university.
What have you enjoyed the most about your internship?
During my time at Haines Watts I’ve enjoyed supporting all areas of the employee lifecycle which has added value to the overall team member experience. This has really helped me understand how broad the role is and the many different ways in which we support all team members.
I really loved that I was able to get stuck in with various projects such as creating a sickness workflow and a toolkit for new managers, as I spent time with different line managers to gain their input.
It’s been great spending time with each team, which gave me a real overview of how the business works and the opportunity to interact with a variety of team members across the business.
Why was Haines Watts the right fit for you?
There is a misconception that accountancy involves looking at numbers all day and being good at maths. Having spent time at Haines Watts, I have realised that it’s all about people and building relationships – it’s not essential to have a background in maths.
Coming into the internship I didn’t realise how important company culture is. Building and valuing relationships is really important within the people and culture team and the wider business too, and is something that really resonates with my personal values as I am an empathetic and curious person.
What advice would you give to any of your peers about balancing studying and working?
I think that the most important piece of advice would be to stay organised. I found it very useful creating lists so I could visually see everything I have to do and can cross things off as I complete them. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, it’s the only way to learn.
Reflecting on my internship experience, I have received useful feedback which has highlighted my strengths and increased my self-awareness.
I have really enjoyed my time at Haines Watts and I would recommend an internship to anyone who’s considering.
