Online learning: Bloomberg’s internship program goes virtual
November 01, 2020
The health and economic concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have prompted many companies to cancel their internship programs. However, at Bloomberg, we recognize the importance of hands-on work experience and how it paves the way for future job opportunities. As such, we organized a global virtual internship for 2020 – the first time we have ever done so.
A virtual internship comes with its own unique challenges, but Bloomberg is a company that is fundamentally built on change. The internship team was quick to pivot to online programming, developing immersive projects, workshops, events and philanthropic initiatives to ensure that the experience would be no less meaningful than those of previous years.
Here, two of our APAC interns share more about their virtual internship journey.
Jade Beckmann, Analytics and Sales intern, Hong Kong office
In 2019, during an exchange program at King’s College London, I visited Bloomberg with some of my peers. The visit really inspired me – I learned that Bloomberg’s London office is the most sustainable corporate building in the world. What’s more, everyone seemed so excited about the work they were doing. After the visit, I told my friends, ‘I need to get an internship here!’, and I guess that stuck with me.
Initially, I was hired for an in-person internship at Bloomberg’s London office for summer 2020. Then, when COVID-19 became more prominent, Bloomberg’s HR team got in touch to say that they would be going ahead with the program – albeit virtually. They suggested that I do my internship with the Hong Kong office instead, as I am based in Auckland and thus the time difference would be more reasonable.
The first week of the virtual internship was really challenging, especially as I’m a real people person. We were given a lot of online training on financial markets and the Bloomberg Terminal, and it was difficult not being able to just raise my hand and ask for help immediately, or to lean over and chat to the person sitting next to me!
However, as it was the norm to conduct everything via video call, I got to virtually interact with interns and staff from many other offices around the world – Singapore, Japan, London and San Francisco. Also, I had very regular conversations with my team leaders and mentors. In particular, they really cared for my health and wellbeing during these challenging times.
Some of the things I enjoyed doing most was making calls to Bloomberg Terminal users at hedge funds to inform them of new features, as well as working on the Missing Maps initiative – an open-source project that helps map vulnerable areas in developing countries, so that humanitarian organizations can better respond to crises on the ground. I think it’s fantastic that Bloomberg encourages staff to participate in initiatives that make a positive difference in the world. However, the highlight of my internship would have to be when I was asked to conduct the ‘rapid fire’ section of a live interview with Bloomberg Chairman Peter Grauer during my final week. All of the APAC interns tuned in to listen, and I had the freedom to ask Peter a bunch of fun and quirky questions. It was a great end to what was already an incredible internship.
During the interview, I asked Peter to describe Bloomberg in one word – and his answer was “exceptional”. It’s a word that I think sums up my time at Bloomberg perfectly – with full confidence, I can say that my experience of Bloomberg’s people and culture has been exceptional. The virtual internship was run so smoothly, with a packed schedule that kept us on our toes with interesting projects. The Bloomberg culture definitely came through on screen – and I’m excited for the day when I can finally meet the people I worked with!
Koh Kai Lun, Bloomberg Customer Support intern, Singapore office
“At Bloomberg, we work on purpose.” A few months ago, when I was looking for internship opportunities, I decided to do some research on Bloomberg – and this was the one line that really resonated with me. I was awed by Bloomberg’s dedication to making a positive change in the world, so I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for an internship with the company.
In hindsight, the virtual internship passed by in a flash! Nevertheless, it provided me with so much more than just seven weeks of hands-on experience. Apart from customer service and analytical skills, I learned a lot of life lessons from the people I interacted with. To be honest, I was quite reserved initially and did not actively reach out to my colleagues. However, as time passed, I witnessed how transparent and open Bloomberg employees are. The next thing I knew, I was having one-on-one chats with various managers about their experiences! The amazing thing about Bloomberg is that everyone is very open to sharing.
A top highlight of my internship was connecting with a manager in the London office to exchange insights about the internal ticketing system. When I reached out to him, I did not expect a detailed response. However, to my surprise, we had a great conversation – I learned so much about how the ticketing has evolved and the future plans for the system. The opportunity to learn from a manager from a different department and region exceeded my expectations, and I am truly grateful for that.
Also, throughout my internship, I always felt that I had the full support of the company. Initially, I faced internet connectivity issues and had difficulties making calls to clients. Thankfully, my colleagues came to my aid, guiding me through the troubleshooting process. And even though it was not possible to physically visit the office, the internship team really ensured that we were well taken care of. I even had surprise packages delivered to my doorstep every now and then – from a welcome pack to rainbow cookies to celebrate Pride month! There were plenty of social activities too, such as a virtual cooking class conducted by chef Stephen Zoisl from Chef’s Table in Singapore.
Overall, I definitely see myself pursuing a career with Bloomberg in the future, especially as it offers many growth opportunities. Also, every employee I crossed paths with firmly believed in the importance of a healthy and inclusive workplace, which has definitely contributed to Bloomberg’s great culture.