From academic weapon to corporate girlie.
"Next station, Downtown. 市中心; Please mind the gap."
Imagine hearing this every morning, 5 times a week in a quiet yet full cabin, packed to the brim with nicely dressed professional folk trying their best to look alive.
In this scenario, you, too, are among these people; trying not to fall asleep standing up; backpacks brushing against your elbow every time the train jolts and turns...
Everyone will be embarking on their first internship journey at one point or another in their university life. I did mine at a large corporation last semester, and it was one of the most fulfilling and eye-opening journeys I have ever embarked on.
As someone who has never stepped foot into the corporate world before, this was a whole new experience for me. I hope this article can give you an insight into navigating the ups and downs of corporate life; as I did!
** A disclaimer: This article is written based on my personal experience. Everyone’s experience will be different, but I hope this will help you avoid going in blind!
To Dress for Comfort or To Dress to Impress?
Social media and Google will only tell you so much. Just before the start of my internship, my top searches on Pinterest and TikTok were: ‘corporate outfits’, ‘business casual’ and ‘professional outfits’. This yielded a mixed response. Some will tell you to wear blazers and trousers every day; others will say jeans are appropriate office wear.
One of the most common dilemmas in the corporate world is deciding between comfort and style.
On one hand, comfort is key when considering the long hours and daily commute, allowing you to focus on your tasks without the distraction of constricting shoes or tight-fitting clothing.
On the other , dressing to impress can significantly help with how you are perceived in the office. A polished, professional appearance can boost your confidence and convey competence, making a strong impression on colleagues and supervisors alike.
I would highly recommend erring on the side of caution on your first day. First impressions make all the difference, so dress like you would to an important presentation (e.g. a dress shirt/blouse and trousers/slacks).
After you get a lay of the land, you will know how to dress for the rest of your internship period. The clothes you don would depend on the nature of your role, the types of people you will work with during your time there, as well as the office culture.
It’s a Hard Knock Life!
As an intern, you quickly realise how much the corporate grind can affect your psyche. The days begin early, and with time, you find yourself craving sleep earlier and earlier each night. But the challenge lies not just in the early mornings but in the cyclical nature of corporate life itself.
You can expect your first few weeks to unfold like this (a compilation of experiences from people who have experienced the corporate grind):
7am, 7.10am, 7.20am: Alarm rings; Snooze alarm and go back to sleep.
7.30am: Wake up with the realisation that you overslept, rush to get ready, dressed and out the door.
8am: Make it to the MRT station; Squeeze in with the crowd to make your way to work.
8.45am: Make it to Downtown Station; Queue for coffee and bread.
9.05am: Reach your desk; Queue for the water cooler; Open your laptop and get to work.
9.30am: Team meeting!
11am: Team meeting ends; Teams (a communications platform most companies use, similar to WhatsApp) your intern buddies/colleagues on where to go for lunch.
12pm: Two lifts come and go before there is space for you to get on. Squeeze in with the lunch crowd and complain about the expensive prices of food.
12.45pm: Done with lunch; Queuing for your mandatory second cup of a pick-me-up beverage.
1pm: Back to work, where you fight off the post-lunch food coma.
1.30pm: Check the clock and realise that only 30 minutes had passed.
3pm: A Teams notification comes in; someone just found an amazing 1-for-1 food deal.
5pm: The last hour of the day, which miraculously passes the fastest.
6pm: Make it to the MRT station; Squeeze in with the crowd back home.
7pm: Bathe and have dinner.
10pm: Sleep
Rinse and Repeat.
Finding Joy in the Monotony
The common consensus is this: corporate life drains your soul. But I implore you not to be so quick to judge. It's common to feel like a small fish in a big pond, but the important thing is to not lose sight of what matters the most to you and do things that spark joy.
Despite the monotony, I found joy in the little things — the conversations with colleagues that added a spark to the day; satisfaction in completing even the smallest tasks; and the occasional break in routine that remind me of the purpose of my work.
It might be celebrating a colleague’s birthday in a meeting room; someone bringing in cookies that they made while stress baking; or even just sharing short anecdotes of their daily lives. These moments, though seemingly minor, brought a sense of fulfilment and kept the days from blending into a never-ending cycle.
They were the reminders that, amidst the routine, there was always something to appreciate.
Work-life balance is another important way to keep sane from the cycle. Some of my colleagues even made great use of the available time before and after work. They would wake up extra early to hit the gym before coming into the office or after office hours. Others would engage in extracurricular activities such as going to dinner with friends or picking up a new hobby.
I personally took the time to catch up with my reading to unwind; books offered a much needed escape from the daily routine.
Go Forth and Prosper; the World is Your Oyster
“You are in the Tower of Dreams!” My boss used to say.
The "Tower of Dreams" is a perfect metaphor for the corporate world—a place where big ambitions and career goals come together. For many, stepping into this landscape is all about chasing success, climbing the corporate ladder, and turning dreams into reality. It is full of potential and possibilities, offering a chance to grow and achieve something great.
But it is not all smooth sailing. The journey can be tough, filled with challenges that test your grit and determination. While the promise of success is what draws people in, it is important to remember that navigating the corporate world is not easy—it takes a lot of effort and sometimes means making sacrifices along the way.
Here is some of the things I have learnt:
1) Communication is key
Yes, this applies not only to our relationships, but also to daily life.
As an intern, it’s normal to feel like an outsider, unsure of when to speak up or when to stay silent. I certainly felt that way, especially in the first few weeks. It is important to read the room, but do not be afraid to be curious.
Looking back, I regret not asking as many questions as I should have, especially when I was surrounded by colleagues and supervisors who were incredibly supportive of my learning.
Interns often have the softest landing cushion, and each mistake is a valuable learning opportunity. Do not be afraid to fail!
2) Maintaining a good level of professionalism is crucial
Whether it is dressing appropriately, meeting deadlines, or simply showing respect to those around you, professionalism sets the tone for your experience and leaves a lasting impression on those you work with.
The corporate world moves fast, so always make sure to respect your colleague's time and boundaries. In a similar vein, do not be afraid to speak up when your boundaries have been crossed. This helps establish your boundaries and ensures you are treated with respect by colleagues and supervisors. In addition, it helps clarify expectations and prevent misunderstandings that could lead to conflicts or resentment.
Standing up for yourself should always be your priority – remember, you are your greatest advocate!
3) Know your goals!
One of the best pieces of advice I received was to take the initiative to get involved in projects I was passionate about or to shadow a senior colleague.
This will give you a deeper understanding of the work you do, but also make the daily grind feel more meaningful. I was very hesitant to take on more than what I was given because I was always afraid that I lacked the knowledge that industry professionals had to do the job well.
But that is exactly the point—embracing the unknown is part of the learning process. If you know what you want, do not hesitate—go for it!
Concluding thoughts
Through this 5-month journey through the corporate maze, I have learnt many valuable lessons that I will carry with me into the next chapters of my life.
In the end, the corporate world may be a cycle, but it is also a place of growth, learning, and endless opportunities—if you know where to look and how to navigate it.
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