My Internship Experience
Before joining Hitachi Solutions, I was genuinely questioning my direction. I had doubts about my degree, the kind of role I wanted, and more broadly where I could actually be useful. This internship wasn’t just another step; it was a real test. Very quickly, it exceeded everything I expected.
From the first few weeks, I didn’t feel like “the intern on the side”, but like someone trusted to play a real role. I was included in conversations, exposed to both the French and European scope, and given responsibilities with visible outcomes.
That made the difference. It pushed me to shift from observing to acting, from hesitation to engagement. For the first time, I wasn’t just learning concepts; I was experiencing what it means to be part of a team, to work on meaningful projects, and to see the direct results of what I was doing.
At that moment, things became clear: I wasn’t on the wrong path. I had simply not found the right environment yet.
The Learnings
This experience didn’t just build skills; it gave me a clear understanding of how internal communication and CSR actually work in a company.
On the communication side, I realised that sharing information is not enough. What matters is whether people read it, understand it, and engage with it. Tone, timing, and format are not details; they define the impact. Writing for internal audiences requires clarity, simplicity, and purpose.
Working on different initiatives showed me how central communication is. Whether promoting a CSR campaign or supporting HR activities, the challenge remains the same: getting people involved and making them care.
On the CSR side, I discovered how ideas become concrete actions. It’s not just about values; it’s about execution. A project like Walk for Hearts only works when it is structured, followed, and communicated consistently. Tracking progress, sharing results, and maintaining engagement over time is what turns an idea into something people actually follow.
I also realised that even simple initiatives can have a strong impact. Events like Dogs Day or internal campaigns play a key role in building connection and company culture. More than anything, this experience taught me how to make communication useful and how to turn CSR initiatives into something visible, engaging, and meaningful.
My 5 tips for anyone applying for or starting an internship:
- Don’t wait to be told, start acting.In a structured environment, it’s easy to fall into a passive role and wait for instructions. Don’t. The real shift happens when you start identifying what needs to be done without being asked. A file is messy? Clean it. A process is slow? Simplify it. A message is unclear? Rewrite it. Initiative is the fastest way to build trust, and once you have that trust, you’ll naturally get more interesting and strategic work.
- Use visibility as leverage.Not all tasks are equal. Some stay invisible; others have real exposure across teams or even countries. When you have the opportunity, position yourself on visible projects such as internal campaigns, communications, events, and dashboards. These projects accelerate your learning because you get feedback faster, and they also make your work recognisable. Visibility is not about ego; it’s about multiplying your impact.
- Build relationships early.Your experience is not just about what you do, but also who you work with. Take the time to connect with people beyond your direct team. Ask questions, show curiosity, and understand their roles and challenges. This helps you see the bigger picture of the company and makes collaboration much smoother. It also creates opportunities. You’re more likely to be included in projects if people know you and trust you.
- Treat your internship like a real role.The biggest mistake is thinking, “I’m just an intern.” If you act like one, you’ll be treated like one. Approach your internship as a real position: be reliable, take ownership, respect deadlines, and aim for quality. When you show that level of professionalism, people stop seeing your status and start seeing your value. And that’s often what opens the door to future opportunities.
