The internship experience: approaching personal development with a new perspective

Hello, Beda, thank you for accepting our invitation today! Please, tell us a bit about yourself.  

Hello everyone, thank you for the opportunity to be part of this discussion. To introduce myself, my name is Beda Felder, I’m 19 years old and I’m from Switzerland. For the past 3 months, I have been the Intern of the MarCom & Business Development department of Forvis Mazars in Romania, an experience that I’m happy to tell you more about today.

On a more personal note, I am passionate about hiking, whether in the Alps or the beautiful Carpathians, and I have a love for both arts and sports, especially football. Given this, one of my favourite ways to spend my free time is watching local football games with my friends.

I’m also a good cook and enjoy preparing meals, especially when I can share them with my family. Snowboarding is another activity I really enjoy, and I’m looking forward to a winter filled with plenty of snow!

You started your internship in the MarCom & Business Development department in September. What were your activities during this time?  

During my internship in the MarCom & Business Development department, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of exciting tasks. I started by creating a script for a LinkedIn campaign and later had the chance to edit the video, which was a great hands-on experience. I also contributed to organising a client event and helped design presentations in line with our company guidelines, ensuring they were visually appealing and aligned with our brand identity. 

In addition to these tasks, I worked on creating new banners for the company’s service lines and wrote a press release, which was an interesting and valuable experience in strategic communication. I also assisted with recording podcasts, which was a fun and engaging activity that gave me insight into the content creation process. Throughout all of this, I had to conduct a lot of research, which helped me better understand our target audience and the broader industry context. Overall, it’s been a fulfilling time where I’ve gained diverse skills across various aspects of marketing and communication. 

During your internship, you had the opportunity to dive into multiple areas of marketing and communication. How was that experience for you? Did any of them spark your interest in particular?  

This experience was incredibly enriching, as it allowed me to explore various aspects of marketing and communication. I particularly enjoyed video creation and editing because it combined creativity with technical skills, and it was rewarding to see how visual storytelling could engage an audience. Working on presentations and visuals was also exciting, as it showed me how design can effectively communicate a brand's identity. At the same time, through the experience of writing the press release, I have learned how to craft clear and engaging messages for a specific audience.

Overall, these opportunities helped me discover how creative and strategic elements work together in marketing. 

Did you have any expectations concerning the field in general or about the company, coming into this role? If yes, were those expectations met?  

I came into this role with the expectation of learning a lot and getting hands-on experience, and I can confidently say those expectations were met. The team was supportive, and the tasks were varied and challenging enough to keep me motivated and growing throughout the internship. 

Let’s talk about the cultural differences between Romania and Switzerland: how did you adapt to them? What were your impressions of the Romanian culture?  

Adapting to the cultural differences between Romania and Switzerland was both rewarding and enriching. Romanian culture is incredibly warm and welcoming, with a strong emphasis on hospitality and personal connections, which made it easy to feel at home. What especially stood out to me was the food - it tastes like something your grandmother would make, full of heart, tradition, and comfort. Every meal felt like a special experience, adding to the warmth of the culture. 

I noticed a clear contrast between the Swiss and Romanian ways of living. The Swiss lifestyle is more structured and precise, while the Romanian one is more spontaneous and flexible, allowing for deeper and more relaxed social interactions. To adapt, I embraced this spontaneity and openness, which helped me connect with people on a more personal level. Learning about local customs and traditions further deepened my appreciation for the culture. Overall, I was impressed by the kindness, resilience, and strong sense of identity in Romanian culture. 

You are still at the beginning of your career and navigating one of the most important and formative years. How do you approach trial and error when choosing the right career for you?  

I see this stage of my life as a valuable opportunity to experiment and grow. I approach trial and error with curiosity and an open mind, recognising that challenges and mistakes are essential to learning. Each experience helps me understand what truly excites me, which in turn guides my future decisions. 

I believe it's crucial to embrace new opportunities and take risks, as doing so allows for personal growth and the chance to prove myself. I also think it's important to never stop moving forward - if I start to feel too comfortable, I remind myself not to stay in that zone for too long. True growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone, and I want to build a career that’s both fulfilling and ever-evolving. 

Here you are, at the end of your internship. How did you feel to be a part of the Forvis Mazars team? What were the key takeaways or lessons that you will keep with yourself after this period?  

Being part of the Forvis Mazars team during my internship was a truly rewarding experience. It was especially nice working with the MarCom & Business Development team, as they welcomed me so warmly and made me feel like a part of the team right from the start. I really appreciated how inclusive and supportive they were, which made it easy to integrate and contribute. 

The key takeaways from this experience include the importance of collaboration and clear communication. I learned how crucial it is to work together to achieve shared goals and how small details in marketing and communication can have a big impact. This internship has also reinforced my belief in the value of being adaptable and open to new ideas. I will carry these lessons with me as I continue to grow in my career, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a dynamic team. 

Thank you, Beda, for your openness and fresh perspective! I’m sure we can all learn something from your approach and constructive mindset, no matter the stage of our career. We wish you all the best of luck in your future endeavours and we’ll be ready to welcome you back with open arms if you’re considering to start a career in our field, we would be lucky to have you by our side.