The Symba Spotlight Part 12: Eugene Elikem Agbo
Eugene Elikem Agbo is interning with not one, not two, but three different companies, all from his home in Ghana. Eugene is interning with Vodafone Ghana, Hash Analytic and Stotz Investment Research. He has already achieved a sizable amount across three internships. As a seasoned intern, he has valuable advice to share with people. Read his incredible story below.
Tell us about yourself.
I am an incoming Accounting senior at the University of Professional Studies, Accra in Ghana. Aside from accounting, I have interests in Finance, Investment Banking, Economics, and Data Analytics.
I am hoping to start a career in Investment Banking irrespective of my major. My immediate goal is to secure a global internship with Bank of America to acquire international experience and immense knowledge in Investment Banking where I can continue to grow and improve both personally and professionally.
In the long-term, I plan to write all levels of The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) Securities Exams organized by the Ghana Stock Exchange in a duration of 18 months or less. I also plan to acquire my Capital Markets and Securities Analyst certification from the Corporate Finance Institute. All these would prepare me for a career in the Capital Markets division.
Tell us about your remote internship. What is your title, and what are the projects and daily tasks you work on?
At Vodafone Ghana, I am holding the position of a Telesales Intern alongside 44 others in the Consumer Business Unit. The ultimate goal of Vodafone Ghana is to get about 60000 pending customers to activate their Vodafone Cash accounts. The duty of the intern is to speak politely to the customer and get them to activate their Vodafone Cash accounts, and also introducing them to enticing offers, products, and services alongside.
At Hash Analytic, I occupy the position of Data Analyst Intern. The goal of Hash Analytic is to create a Data Analyst at the end of the internship. They provide courses for you to learn and apply to tasks given. These tasks are time-bound and must be completed before the said dates. It is an experience of lectures and corporate studies combined.
At A.Stotz Investment Research, interns are given the opportunity to enroll in paid courses for free. From this privilege, it is the duty of the intern to suggest a practically important way of enhancing the course for potential students.
What are you enjoying most about your remote internship?
At Vodafone Ghana, I am enjoying the networking aspect with professionals and colleague interns. Last year, I took the initiative to create a committee for interns to lessen the burdens laid on HR. Because of my leadership, I was appointed President of interns this year.
At Hash Analytic, I love the fact that the company has made it possible for an intern to learn data analysis and data visualization with Python, Tableau, etc, and practice with tasks given.
At A.Stotz Investment Research, it is rather an opportunity to enroll in valuation, and other courses worth $1000+. And in the end, there are certificates to display.
I have learned to have patience, to be confident, and to tolerate any human nature. I have also improved my leadership skills and also built upon my speaking skills.
I have learned and am still learning how to visualize and analyze data in python and tableau and also how to use python for finance.
I am still learning how to value stocks and companies, and model the three financial statements(Income statement, Statement of Financial Position, and the Cashflow Statement) in Excel.
How have your company and internship manager supported you through your internship?
At Vodafone, my line manager is amazing. She has made it clear that we were at liberty to call her for assistance. We also have other industry professionals at our disposal and all these executives are of tremendous help to all interns.
At Data Analytics, the company has made everything simple doe interns. There are several instructions that make the task easy to do. the factors we do not understand has its answers embedded in the courses provided. Go through the course, and you are okay!
At A. Stotz Investment Research, Dr. Andrew Stotz, the Ceo of A. Stotz Investment Research takes time to interact with us and answer all our queries. He also designated some assistants to help us through the internship. They are very responsive and help thoroughly.
What advice would you give to other interns about to embark on their first remote internship?
Before you begin the internship, plan, and come up with a to-do list on a daily routine so you do not deviate from work. Have your notepads to jot down daily achievements, improvement in work, and tasks performed to help you in updating your status on LinkedIn and your resume as well.
Most importantly, be more focused on personal and team achievements, don't feel too big or shy to ask questions or ask for help, and always beat the deadline for tasks assigned.
By Anika Pasilis
