Could you introduce yourself and share your background story?
My name is Clarence, and I'm currently still studying applied math with a specialization in data science at Ateneo de Manila University. My background includes data science internships at Dashlabs.ai during my second year summer, and then last year I interned at BPI as a Data Science Intern. After that, I joined Ayala Corporation's Analytics team in December, which is still an ongoing internship.
For those unfamiliar with Ayala Corporation, what do they do and what makes the organization unique?
Ayala Corporation is one of the oldest conglomerates in the Philippines, celebrating 190 years this year. They hold several well-known companies like BPI, Ayala Malls, Ayala Land, and many others across diverse industries like banking, real estate, energy, and more. What's interesting is that within each individual company, there are opportunities to work with data analytics and get support from management for those roles. Overall, it offers an interesting experience working across multiple industries with great company culture.
Which branch or business unit of Ayala are you working in?
I'm actually covering all the business units under the Ayala conglomerate itself. So I have exposure across the various industries they operate in.
What is the biggest misconception about working in data analytics that you've encountered?
The biggest misconception is that some people only look at the technical side of data analytics. But at the end of the day, you can't do proper analytics if you don't understand the business needs. You need to ask the right questions and see things from an industry perspective, otherwise the analytics won't effectively support and grow the core business.
Also, I found the misconception that as an intern you won't do any impactful work. At Ayala, they didn't just assign tasks, they went out of their way to explain the actual business context, empowering me to contribute real value.
Could you walk me through a typical day in your role?
A typical day usually starts with a check-in meeting to discuss updates and tasks for the day. Then I might spend time coding, analyzing data, fulfilling requests, or preparing reports. There are also meetings to present solutions or specific findings to the team. The work really depends on what I'm assigned on a given day, but there are regular interactions with the team and manager.
How did you first find out about Ayala and pursue internship opportunities with them?
It started with my previous internship at BPI, where I was part of Ayala's group internship program that had us meet interns from different companies. This helped me understand the conglomerate. Later, at a BPI event, I met the head of Analytics at Ayala and asked if he had openings, since we shared interests in traffic data analytics. From that networking, I eventually got the opportunity to intern at Ayala.
Could you share any tips on how you prepared for and approached the interview process?
For the interviews, I made sure to articulate my background and interests well when introducing myself. I had bullet points prepared based on my CV, highlighting my academics, previous work, and aspirations. I also connected with the interviewer by mentioning the shared interest in traffic analytics that initially caught my attention.
What advice would you give students interested in applying to Ayala?
If possible, you can attend events hosted by Ayala like career fairs, as those give you chances to meet and directly talk to people for networking. Don't be afraid to approach executives and connect. When applying, make sure your application materials tell a compelling story about yourself beyond just listing credentials. And apply to multiple roles, as you may not get your first choice right away but can continue building skills.
What did the onboarding and initial training look like when you started at Ayala?
The first few days involved orientations with my manager about their plans, policies, protocols, etc. My manager also introduced me around the office to meet different teams, which was a bit overwhelming initially but everyone was very welcoming. After the in-person first day, some activities transitioned to being online or hybrid.
What was the most surprising aspect of the internship compared to your expectations?
I expected it to be more technical, but found it interestingly involved the management side too when looking at how to effectively implement data analytics strategies for the organization from a higher level. Learning those management frameworks and approaches was insightful.
What learning and development opportunities have you had access to?
At Ayala, there are a lot of knowledge sharing - most meetings involve someone presenting on a new tool or concept. The managers and teams are passionate about sharing their expertise. There are also internal events like brown bag sessions for learning.
How would you describe the work-life balance and any support system in place?
It's not stressful in my opinion. The regular check-ins allow managers to understand your workload, and they are flexible if you need time off or have other commitments like exams. We often eat meals together too, which provides an opportunity to bond with colleagues in an informal setting. Overall, there seems to be an emphasis on wellbeing.
What does a typical career path look like in your role?
There are specialization paths like data scientist, data engineer, or analytics manager roles you could progress into. It depends on the company's needs at a given time, but there are diverse opportunities and you likely won't get bored working across Ayala's portfolio of industries.
What are your long-term career plans?
I'm still in my third year, so continuing to explore opportunities through my university and outside. But I do plan to pursue a master's degree part-time, potentially a PhD later as well, to enhance my data science skills. My main track is continuing in this field.
If you could go back, is there anything you would do differently regarding internships and job applications?
I was initially hesitant to apply for internships that might conflict with classes, worrying they would all be in-person. But I learned many roles have flexibility to work around schedules. So I would have started exploring and applying sooner, while also making time for rest amidst being busy with studies.
Any final advice for graduating students pursuing roles at Ayala?
Don't be shy - the people at Ayala really enjoy interacting and getting to know new hires. Take any chances to connect, like over lunch. Immerse yourself in the company culture as it opens up more opportunities down the line. Be proactive about networking.