Internship at UK Multicorp (UKMC)
Strand: Creativity and Location – Out-of-school
SDG connection: Decent work and economic growth
My internship at UK Multicorp (UKMC), where I worked in the finance and accounting department every Saturday, was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my IB journey. Being part of a retail franchising company with over 50 stores across 26 cities gave me a practical understanding of how financial systems operate from the back-end. From observing GST processes to accounting store purchase and sales data, every task helped me bridge the gap between classroom theory and real world application. Finally creating a comprehensive report to conclude the internship helped me gain crucial research skills. This experience also strengthened my appreciation for ethical financial practices and how they support both business growth and customer trust. Overall, it was a great opportunity for me to gain hands on experience in the finance and accounting field.
LO2: Undertaking challenges & developing new skills
Starting my internship with limited real-world finance experience was a bit difficult. Tasks like reviewing balance sheets, understanding GST implications, and researching reporting formats pushed me far beyond what I had learned in class. The biggest challenge was accounting store data like purchase reports, sale reports, and invoice summaries into professional accounting software. Initially, the volume of information and the level of accuracy required felt overwhelming, but with practice, I developed stronger analytical skills. Learning to navigate a real company’s financial ecosystem gave me confidence and helped me grow as a thinker and problem solver.
LO3: Initiating & planning the CAS experience
Planning for the internship required significant initiative. Since it was only possible for me to attend on Saturdays due to school ending at 4:30 pm and the company office closing at 5 pm on weekdays, I had to structure my schedule responsibly to make the mst out of each weekend. I planned weekly goals like understanding GST one week, focusing on accounting practices the next and learning more about data entries later on, and finally developing the actual report. This structured approach helped me stay organized and ensured that each session had a clear objective. Taking charge of my own learning, logging each session and planning my time effectively helped me become more independent and disciplined.
LO4: Showing perseverance and commitment
Committing to a long-term internship entirely on weekends was demanding. There were Saturdays when I was tired from the week, or days when the accounting work felt repetitive or complex. But staying consistent taught me the importance of perseverance in a professional environment. Over time, I noticed significant growth like tasks that once took me an hour became quicker, and concepts that felt confusing earlier became manageable and doable. Showing up every weekend made me more resilient and prepared me for the realities of future academic and professional responsibilities.
LO5: Collaborative work & its benefits
One of the most valuable aspects of the internship was observing how the finance team collaborated with departments like sales, logistics, and store management. I learned that financial accuracy depends on good communication and coordination across the company. Whenever I worked on accounting tasks or data entries, I often had to consult other employees for clarification or cross-check numbers. This experience helped me improve as a communicator and taught me that teamwork is essential for avoiding errors and maintaining transparency. The collaborative environment showed me how shared problem solving contributes to a company’s smooth functioning.
LO6: Engagement with issues of global significance
Working with GST, compliance procedures, and transparent financial practices helped me understand the importance of ethical financial systems in a broader context. Fair taxation, accurate reporting, and reliable business operations play a huge role in promote sustainable economic growth which is an important UN SDG. By contributing even in a small way to these processes, I gained firsthand insight into how financial ethics impact not just companies but also communities, governments, and entire economies.
LO7: Recognizing ethics of choices & actions
Throughout the internship, I observed how crucial ethical decision-making is in finance. Even small errors in data entry or misreported figures can affect store operations, taxation, and regulatory compliance. This taught me the importance of being principled and responsible. Understanding the ethics behind financial reporting made me more careful, detail-oriented, and aware of the consequences of my actions. It also reinforced the value of integrity in all professional tasks.
Conclusion
My internship at UK Multicorp was a profound learning journey that sharpened my skills as a thinker, communicator, and reflective learner. It allowed me to connect theoretical knowledge with actual real world financial systems, exposed me to professional teamwork, and strengthened my values around ethics and responsibility. The challenges I faced helped me grow, and the experience reinforced my passion for finance. This CAS experience not only expanded my practical understanding but also contributed meaningfully to my personal growth, preparing me for both future academic pathways and career aspirations.
