As mentioned in my Summer 2019 Pre-Reflections and Goals, I had three goals to keep in mind for the summer. They were:

1. Improving my technical skills through my internship
2. Being more mindful of how I spend my time
3. Creating more content for my blog

I will also be sharing a few other goals I had and my takeaways. I hope that you can also learn from my experience and reflect on yours.

Goal #1: Improving My Technical Skills

After 13 weeks of my data analysis internship, I did gain a little confidence in programming with Python. Although I still encounter bugs and errors with my code, I do not make it mean that I am bad at coding. There have been instances where I wanted to seek help but I managed to solve the problem after printing out lines of my code. I’ve also learnt a few techniques and tips to code efficiently from my colleague (who became my unofficial mentor). This helps others read, understand and execute my code more quickly. I am also grateful for his guidance and advice he has given me. It was quite fascinating to see how the concepts I have learnt being applied in the ‘real world’.

Goal #2: Being More Intentional

For my second goal, I found that it was easier to be mindful of what I was doing when I was well rested. (As opposed to being in ‘zombie mode’.) In the beginning, I struggled to get at least 7 hours of sleep each night as I came home rather late every night. However, I realised that using my electronic devices such as my phone and laptop even after coming home late contributed to me being less intentional of my actions. During the second half of the summer, I tried my best to avoid using my devices so late and just read a physical book or went straight to bed. As a result, I managed to get sufficient rest for most of the remaining nights, and I was more productive and alert during my waking hours.

Goal #3: Creating More Content

It was challenging for me to achieve my third goal. I actually made it a very vague goal, which meant that I could not determine or measure my success for it. I did create more content for my blog (I even set up and posted on my new Pinterest and Instagram accounts), but not as much as I had aimed to. This was partly because of another commitment I had after I posted my pre-reflections. However, I am determined to plan out my content more effectively, especially when the new school term is approaching.

Goal #4: Product Management Course

In early May, I was accepted into the first batch of the BIG Startup School and was enrolled into their product management (PM) course. This took up three of my weekday nights which was quite tiring for me because I also had other weekly activities. To be honest, I did not expect such a heavy workload from the class (readings, assignments and mentor meetings), but I was determined to make the most out of it.

I delved deeper into the startup scene and learnt what it takes to grow a business on your own. For example, I discovered the importance of identifying pain points, customer success, design sprints, pitching and funding. Although I am still unsure if I will be going down this path in the future, I know that these skills I have learnt will be useful and can be applied in most jobs, especially in terms of working in teams. I am also happy to have made new friends and built connections which I would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so.

Other Goals and Accomplishments

Despite having many other commitments, I am proud of what I have achieved this summer break. Here are a few examples:

• I changed my self-image from “I am not a technology person” to “I am able to do basic programming and visualise data in a clear and accurate way”.
• I practiced and trained really hard for my dance competition and won my first ever gold medal.
• I was willing to step out of my comfort zone to interact with many different people.
• I developed my shame resistance and learnt to bounce back from my failures.

My summer was indeed filled with many different activities and I am glad that I didn’t give up. Since my summer internship and PM course have ended, I am taking this short break to rest and do my life admin. For instance, I plan to organise my room, spend time with family and friends, catch up on reading and writing, and prepare for school.

How has your summer been? Did you accomplish what you set out to do? Were there any lessons learnt or takeaways from your experiences? Let me know in the comments below!