Intern Today, Employed Tomorrow
Edition #2: Ricky Chen
Welcome back to Coffee Connect! Whether your first few weeks back to university have been filled with late night discussion posts, overpriced matcha, or the seemingly daily pilgrimage to GYG, the team here at the UNSW Consulting Club (UCC) is back to give your career aspirations a caffeinated kick.
Building upon the first edition where we took a deep dive into Acing the Application, this week we focus on an equally crucial question - how can you convert an internship into a full-time role?
To answer this, we sat down with Ricky Chen, a Senior Consultant at Deloitte, who successfully made the transition from Vacationer to Analyst in 2019 after interning as part of the Human Capital practice during his penultimate year. Before starting full-time at Deloitte, Ricky studied a Bachelor of Commerce/Science at UNSW and worked across various companies across the technology, education and legal space.
But before we dive into Ricky’s journey and his key takeaways for securing a return offer, let’s first explore a real-life success story of someone who took their internship to the highest possible level - Elliot Hill, CEO of Nike.
Lacing Up for Leadership
Now, I’m not saying every intern will become the CEO of their first company because, let’s be honest, they won’t - there just aren’t enough catered lunches or business class flights to go around. But Elliot Hill’s journey serves as a reminder of what’s possible when an intern embraces opportunity, builds relationships, and consistently adds value.
A snapshot of Elliot Hill's 36-year journey from Intern to President and CEO of Nike.
Elliot Hill’s career has been immortalised in pop culture and finance bro folklore alike, with his iconic LinkedIn page showcasing his journey to the top. He began his career at Nike as an intern, learning the company’s culture, absorbing insights from senior leaders, and steadily proving his worth. Reflecting on his ascent, he once said:
“I’ve been fortunate to work for incredible leaders at Nike, and I’ve tried to take on the best from each of them”
This quote underscores a key truth often lost in a sea of R.M. Williams and quarter-zips - internships aren’t just about bulking up your resume, they’re about building the foundation for growth and developing your personal brand. While most interns won’t be CEOs within their first decade - or ever for that matter - the principles of learning, adaptability, and relationship building apply to anyone looking to thrive in their career.
But that’s enough about Nike - let’s hear about Ricky’s journey, the steps he took as a vacationer at Deloitte, and what characteristics he feels define the most successful interns.
Battling Imposter Syndrome
The transition from university to the workplace can be daunting, and for many students, imposter syndrome is an inevitable part of the experience. This is particularly true for interns, who may feel overwhelmed by the experience and expertise of their corporate colleagues. Ricky emphasises that this feeling is entirely normal and offers a valuable perspective:
“You are not going to know everything - and that is alright”
A great framework introduced to me in my first professional role to help rationalise the 'intern experience', and combat the feeling that everyone around is already levels above you, is the 70/20/10 Learning Model:
70% of development comes from on the job learnings - actually doing the work, providing solutions to challenges, and figuring stuff out yourself.
20% of development comes from near the job learnings - knowledge sharing sessions, casual chats with mentors/managers, and insights gained from shadowing others.
10% of development comes from off the job learnings - think university, online courses and reading articles like these.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Why am I paying $12k a year when only 10% of my learning about the real world comes from university?” But that misses the whole point. That 10% is the foundation that helps you make sense of the other 90%.
As a side note, if you’re interested in how you can turn that feeling of imposter syndrome into a superpower, I would highly recommend Louise Curtis’s TED Talk on the topic, linked below. But that’s for after you finish reading this - right now, let’s talk about some actionable steps you can take during your placement to increase your chances of securing the elusive return offer.
Ricky’s Recipe for Success
When asked what the most important factors were in securing a return offer, Ricky - like a true consultant - signposted his ideas which fell under three buckets:
Build Relationships: It might sound daunting at first, but talking to people you've never met is essentially a rite of passage for any intern. Whether it’s reaching out for a coffee chat, engaging in team discussions, or just striking up casual conversation around the office, the connections you build during your internship can have a lasting impact.
Writer’s Wisdom: Use the kitchen as your networking hub. A simple “That looks great, what’s for lunch?” when someone’s reheating last night’s leftovers is a perfect way to start a conversation. If they bring out something fancy, hit them with “Damn, they didn’t teach us that in uni” - something I’ve personally used and works in starting up a quick conversation that can be converted to a casual chat in the near future.
Immerse yourself in the Culture: I know this might sound like something you would hear about 100 times during your induction, but stay with me. It's important to recognise that each company has its own culture, and every team within the company has its own subculture. Understanding and navigating it is key to figuring out whether the role aligns with your values and aspirations. Ricky sees internships as a two-way street - you are assessing the company just as much as they are assessing you, so make sure it is a place you see yourself growing both professionally and as an individual.
Writer’s Wisdom: Look beyond your immediate team. See what the culture is like across the firm, strike up conversations with the other interns in different teams, and get a feel for how the company operates beyond your desk.
Showcase Your Potential: While technical skills can often be learned on the job, the most important aspects you need to showcase are your transferable skills. Communication, teamwork, and a genuine interest in learning are factors that truly set interns apart. Ricky suggests opening yourself up to new experiences and leveraging skills developed through part-time jobs, societies, or personal projects to demonstrate your potential. Teams value positive energy and a willingness to learn - traits that will make you memorable and (more importantly) employable.
Writer’s Wisdom: Whenever you finish a coffee chat, always ask: “I’m interested in [XYZ], is there anyone you think I should talk to here about it?”. This simple question shows that you are keen to learn, keeps the conversation chain going, and introduces you to even more people. A win-win-win in my opinion!
Habits for Success
Beyond the internship, Ricky credits his success to three foundational habits:
Practice Gratitude: Appreciating the privilege of working alongside talented individuals - whether colleagues or clients - fosters stronger connections and positivity. Gratitude helps build meaningful relationships, so make sure you let your team know that you appreciate their support!
Realistic Routine: Maintaining a structured daily routine creates a sense of stability and enhances productivity. Ricky personally uses time in the gym as an escape from work and recommends making a realistic schedule that you can genuinely commit to, with enough time for downtime and quality time with mates and family.
Growth Mindset: Challenges in any industry are inevitable, but flexibility and resilience are key to overcoming them. Approach every task with an open mind and view obstacles as opportunities for growth - remember the 70/20/10 model!
A growth mindset goes hand-in-hand with the 70/20/10 rule, and it's important to always be in a cycle of learning!
Summary
At the end of the day, securing a return offer isn’t about ‘ticking the boxes’ - it’s about building relationships, immersing yourself in the culture, and proving your value beyond just technical skills. Though this advice has its roots deep within the professional services industry, it's important to note that it is generally transferrable across most workplaces. Whether you’re just about to start an internship or saving this article for when that acceptance email lands in your inbox, remember that success comes from taking initiative, learning from those around you, and showing up with the right mindset. Not every intern will become a CEO, but the principles that took Elliot Hill to the top apply to anyone looking to make their mark. So when the opportunity comes, take a deep breath, back yourself, and Just Do It.
This article was written by Rahul Pant. All experiences and opinions are their own unless otherwise specified, and do not represent the views of the UNSW Consulting Club or any affiliated organisations and sponsors.
