Global SMB Strategy Placement Student Review

My role involved supporting the strategy team by conducting analyses that helped inform cross functional decisions within the Small-Medium business portfolio. A typical project for me would involve synthesising project results and presenting them during weekly strategy meetings. As the placement progressed, I was also asked to lead said meetings and liaise with points of contact from product, marketing and sales teams to ensure that workstreams were running efficiently.

Yes, this role helped develop my analytical, stakeholder management and presentation skills. Working closely with the analytics team, I was able to learn how to use SQL, which is a coding software used by many firms, to leverage insights that could help my team in its endeavours. Working across the product, marketing and sales teams in different regions also helped me hone my stakeholder management abilities. Lastly, by continually having to present information to said stakeholders, I was able to refine my presentation making ability.

Yes, I was eventually put in charge of moderating our weekly strategy meetings as I had a birds eye view of all the latest data. Although initially daunting, this responsibility motivated me to work harder to make sure I can answer any questions and prove to be a reliable work stream leader, so that the team could advance its objectives. Throughout this process I received a lot of support from my manager and the rest of my immediate team who were always on hand to help make sense of certain data or process complexities.

I received a lot of support from my immediate team who were always on hand to walk me through a certain product, process or client. This gave me the confidence to ask as many questions as I wanted to and further my learning of the solutions and processes we were engaging with. This guidance really helped me master my knowledge so much so to the point where at the end of my internship I was able to bring other colleagues up to speed on certain workstreams and initiatives.

The company culture was very lively and inclusive. There was a big push to return to the office so that we could feel that sense of belonging. Starting out my career this was a big plus as I could interact with as many people as possible and further my understanding of the company and its work. The company also prioritised employee resource groups and I was lucky enough to take the lead on certain initiatives within the Pan Asian society.

I had a great time on my placement. I was able to meet new people and learn about new products, processes and clients. Some of the relationships I made last to this day and I feel very grateful for the culture that PayPal had created for us interns. The work itself was also very engaging and I was always able to understand the relevance of what I was doing.

Yes

I would advice all applicants to really take some time out to understand the product and services that apply to PayPal and more specifically the role they are applying to. Taking some time out to understand where your team/work stands in the greater scheme of things really helps give direction to your role. Other than this, I would advice all applicants to reach out to as many people as possible and interact with relevant stakeholders who would be more than willing to engage.