During my internship in Dublin through the Connect-123 program, I gained valuable hands-on experience in financial analysis and legal project support. Before joining, I brought prior finance knowledge, which I communicated early on; as a result, I was entrusted with complex, finance-focused tasks during my first few weeks. I reconstructed comprehensive 3-statement financial models, assessed year-end financials for new potential trades, and provided detailed insights to support decision-making.

One aspect that surprised me the most was how open-minded and relaxed the workplace culture was. I could step away from my desk to grab a snack at Tesco without needing permission, and there was even a comfortable lounge where employees could take breaks freely. From my experience and opinion, I believe that my company prioritized the employees/interns physical and mental health more than anything.

I am truly grateful to Connect-123 for providing such an incredible internship opportunity. Not only did I gain practical experience and exposure to workplace culture, but I also had the chance to work alongside amazing coworkers I would love to collaborate with again in the future. Overall, it was a 10/10 experience, and I would highly recommend anyone to give it a shot!