Sarah Laurenson, (Accountancy and Finance majors), felt taking on an internship would give her a better understanding of what direction she wanted to head along with gaining practical experience to assist her studies.
Mission accomplished!
At the end of her second year Sarah took up an internship with the finance and accounting team at Farmlands (formerly CRT) in Dunedin. As a result she was much better prepared to continue with her studies and to look ahead at the options available to her upon graduating.
Sarah was one of the first Otago interns to be placed with employers through the Internship Programme.
Much of her time with Farmlands was spent with the company's financial and accounting teams, and she also assisted both teams with the implementation of a computer programme.
So what did she learn?
“Incredible amounts,” Sarah says enthusiastically. “I learned so much about how businesses operate and also details about accounting and finance. I learned the significance of communication and teamwork, and I also learned very valuable time management skills.”
And she has some advice for anyone considering applying for an internship, saying: “It's a great way to get experience and it may help you achieve great results in your future university papers.”
Farmlands also enjoyed significant benefits from having Sarah as part of its work force.
“Taking on an intern was a major decision,” Judy Bevin, Farmlands Chief Financial Officer, says.
“Systems and structures needed to be put in place and the intern had to fit in with the company culture and be a good communicator, which we found in Sarah.”
Sarah completed her degree and is now working for ANZ in Auckland.
