As a part of my CAS project, I took up the opportunity to complete a finance internship at a jewelry business, where I applied my financial knowledge and business knowledge to a real-world setting. This experience not only allowed me to apply my academic or "textbook" knowledge but also helped me develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of the jewelry industry. While I was given my own responsibilities, I had a mentor watching over me in case I had any questions. 

Investigation

Before starting the internship, I researched the jewelry market in Bangkok, exploring how finance and budgeting are managed within the industry. I identified the skills and knowledge I would need to get started, such as financial analysis, and spreadsheet management. Spreadsheet management was a vital skill to learn as the Business worked with Excel and Spreadsheets to store information on their pieces.  

Preparation

I prepared by familiarizing myself with financial tools and software commonly used in this field. I also had an initial meeting with my mentor, who outlined the tasks and the expectations for the role. My responsibilities had included budget tracking, assisting in financial reports, and analyzing sales data, all tailoring to the specific needs of the jewelry business. 

Action

I had done this internship over 8 weeks, going to the office every Saturday from 8 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon. During the internship, I worked on real financial projects, such as managing mass budgeting sheets, analyzing profit margins, and helping create financial forecasts. I also learned about the jewelry business in general during this process. This included things like learning how pricing strategies are developed, and how inventory management impacts cash flow. Although I worked independently, my mentor provided me guidance, helping me navigate more complex tasks and ensuring the accuracy of my work. 

Reflection

Throughout the internship, I regularly reflected on my progress and the challenges I faced to improve myself. One key lesson I learned was learning to balance attention to detail with meeting deadlines,  as financial tasks here required precision with efficiency. I also realized the importance of adaptability, as I had to adjust to the specific financial practices within the jewelry industry. My reflections helped me identify my areas for improvement, such as enhancing my Excel skills and becoming more efficient in financial analysis tools. 

Demonstration

I demonstrated my learning by presenting financial analysis reports to my mentor and the business owner. I showcased my understanding of budget management, sales analysis, and the financial health of the business. This project has helped me improve my professional communication, financial and Excel skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the jewelry industry in Bangkok. 

CAS Outcomes

1. Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth

5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences

2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions