Business Skills Blossom during Shenzhen Internship

The author at Mindray's Shenzhen headquarters

During the first four weeks, I attended training classes and lectures that covered various aspects of the company. For a freshman like me working in a new company, the thing of first and foremost importance is to become acquainted with the company's general operations, its culture, development, structure, organization and products, which are all essential knowledge for sales representatives. As interns we were offered guidance in sales, marketing and international trade by experts.

I gradually became familiar with all respects of the company and was eventually assigned duties in completing international sales, translating documents from English to Russian, managing e-mail, researching distributors from Central Asian countries.

After completing my training period, I gave a bilingual presentation, profiling the company in both English and Russian, which helped develop my confidence in public speaking. I also attended weekly sales meetings and was able to observe business procedure.

I learned that, rather than asking others how to do things, a freshman should show initiative and engage actively in company affairs. I studied on my own all aspects of the business procedures and focused on the process of international export. In the first days of my internship I met some difficulty in work and was perplexed. So every day after work I consulted my mentor Alexander. After patiently listening to my daily report, he would point out where I should improve and give me useful advice on developing my personal career.