Reflective Journal: Internship Experience at Young Martin & Associates

This reflective journal chronicles a student's internship experience at Young Martin & Associates, providing insights into various aspects of business development. The journal entries cover five weeks, each focusing on a different skill or behaviour. Week 1 highlights the importance of communication, specifically positive body language and its role in fostering a comfortable and conflict-free work environment. Week 2 discusses teamwork, emphasizing the collaborative structure within the firm and its impact on task completion and error reduction. Time management is the focus of Week 3, with the student detailing the development of time management skills to meet deadlines and prioritize tasks. Week 4 delves into self-management, highlighting the importance of goal setting, reflection, and self-control in balancing personal and professional life. Finally, Week 5 examines interpersonal behaviour, showcasing the positive organizational culture at Young Martin & Associates, where senior employees are supportive and the environment is friendly and motivating for interns. The journal offers a practical view of applying theoretical concepts in a real-world business setting.

Internship reflective journal

Table of Contents
Reflective Journal ...........................................................................................................................1
Week 1 – Communication ..............................................................................................................1
Week 2 – Teamwork .......................................................................................................................1
Week 3 – Time management ..........................................................................................................2
WEEK 4 – Self Management ..........................................................................................................2
Week 5 – Interpersonal behaviour ..................................................................................................2

Reflective Journal
Week 1 – Communication
The body language is defined as the non-verbal communication between two more
individuals through physical behaviours such as facial expressions . I observed that our manager,
senior associate and other associate at Young martin & associates are using positive body
language to interact with each other. It was not a subconscious decision, the firm's ethics and
policies states that its employees should communicate among each other in an appropriate
manner. I observed that employees were interacting through gestures while considering dignity,
comfort and likeability. It helps in avoiding conflicts and issues in the organisation, the
employees are not all using defensive language that discourage people and they also were also
approachable that helping every feel comfortable when interacting. I was working with a team of
two other associates and there was another team of senior associates in the firm, both of the
teams were very effective and working with collaboration using effective communication
methods such as positive body language, formal and informal communication etc. While dealing
with clients we give special consideration to the formal interaction in order to present a good
impression of the firm. We also shared our knowledge and understanding of the market &
business in order to develop our skills and effectiveness.
Week 2 – Teamwork
Teamwork is a primary requirement in Young martin and associates, as I discussed in the
previous week that my company had two teams one consisting senior associates and one consists
associates. Both the teams needs to report to the manager, this structure of the firm helps in
maintaining the coordination between various functions of every team. I observed that the
accounting firm can not be operated individually, it is important to develop teams in order to
distribute the work or activities. In my accounting firm I was trained to work in a team and
collaborate with other teams to accomplish a specific task or activity. Such as being a member of
group of associates I was handling the accounts of various clients, I was maintaining their
balance sheet statements etc., but the employees in team of senior associates were directly
dealing with the clients as well as checking the work of my team members. This collaboration
and coordination process helps in obtaining most appropriate results or outcomes along with
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avoiding the errors. I learned that team work is very much essential in an organisation or
business to achieve the goals and objectives.
Week 3 – Time management
I believe that time management is a useful and essential skill that is required by each and
every individual. In order to complete each and every task on time it is very important to develop
time management skills. I need to perform various task at Young martin and associates company
such as analysing accounts, maintaining the financial statements etc. In one particular day I need
to go through a lot of accounts related to different clients. Therefore, I understood that in order to
complete my work on time it is very important to manage my time accordingly. I development
time management skills by making a time table that included each and every activity of my daily
life. In the office I used to arrange my work according to priority to accomplish my targets
effectively with better results. My seniors are highly impressed with my work and the way I
manage my time. I never go late to office and complete my work on time or deadline which are
the outcomes of developing time management skills.
Week 4 – Self Management
My internship has always been just on aspects of my life which is completely different
from the other aspects but also important. I try to maintain a good balance between my personal
and professional life. But after doing this professional development in Young martin &
associates I identified that goal setting, reflection, feedback and equipping myself with tools to
improve productivity is also relevant to each and every aspects of my life. I had a high curiosity
to to be a member of senior associates team but as I was not much experienced I can not perform
good in that team. According to marshmallow test, self control is very important to achieve
higher success in achieving any goal or objective in professional and personal life. I tried to
control my inner feelings to be a member of senior associates and that helped me a lot to learn &
increased my experience leading towards improved skills and knowledge of accounting and
finance sector. I did not stopped dreaming about being a senior associate but rather I motivated
myself to gain more and more experience from the current work I am doing in the Young
marting & associates.
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Week 5 – Interpersonal behaviour
Employees in Young martin & associates have developed a very healthy organisational
culture that is very helpful for any intern or new employee. I observed that the senior are very
helping in nature and do not pressure the new employees. When I started my internship, I was
working under other associates who helped me to understand the work and also assisted me in
resolving any error or issue. During break times we use to talk and laugh like friends which is the
best thing I liked in Young martin & associates. Culture of the firm is very good and friendly that
helps in developing motivation among the new employees. As a Intern I was little nervous to
work with the seniors but I found that all the employees are nice to me. They help each other
without any intention to please the boss or to get something in return that shows their behaviour
and etiquettes. Organisational culture at Young martin & associates is highly positive and
motivating for any individual or employee working there.
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