The multiple internship advantage: How being an intern at various firms can lead to a coveted full-time opportunity

Author, artist and career coach Emile Wapnick first coined the term “multipotentialite” to describe “people of all ages and backgrounds who have multiple passions and don’t want to be “just one thing.” During her popular TED Talk, she explains that having a lot of different interests, projects and curiosities doesn't make you a "jack-of-all-trades, master of none." In fact, she asserts that the pursuit of multiple interests and passions is a superpower, especially in today’s rocky job market.

And the “multipotentialite” epithet is certainly apt for Francis Zhang, an SMU Master of Science in Management (MiM) graduate who explored a broad array of industries before settling on his current focus area of venture capital and investment. In fact, his LinkedIn profile emphasises his diverse interests by underscoring that he has served internships and accumulated work experience across four countries and five industries.

These industries run the gamut from management consulting to e-commerce and news media. “I was told that I should find my way as early as possible just based on salaries, clear career paths, and so on,” he shares candidly. “But I thought that I needed to explore different possibilities before deciding to choose an industry as the start of my next chapter.”

That exploration, which he has been undertaking since he was an undergraduate at China’s Hebei University of Science and Technology, has given him many life lessons. “The most significant takeaways are to explore with an open mind, to approach experiences with passion, to contribute to diversity, and to respect different people and things with a humble heart,” he says.

In 2018, he decided to further his explorations by enrolling in the MiM programme at Singapore Management University’s Lee Kong Chian School of Business (SMU LKCSB). Singapore’s safe environment and SMU’s outstanding reputation were definite pull factors, as was his desire to gain more clarity about his future career goal.

He has enjoyed his sojourn in Singapore, both inside and outside the classroom. “At the very beginning, it was a little bit hard for me to follow the classes because of the language barrier and a new style of learning. Fortunately, I adjusted quickly and became more active in class,” says Francis.

In fact, being an MiM student at SMU has been one of his best experiences to date. “A whole new world of business and management has widened my horizons. The MiM programme has helped me to develop business sensitivity and a critical thinking mindset. And, of course, the training in public speaking has made me more confident in expressing my ideas.”

In 2020, he chanced upon an intern recruitment ad posted by BASF Venture Capital and decided to try his hand at this new industry. This internship was followed by another two in the same field of venture capitalism, as well as a stint as a business planning analyst working on an event aimed at start-ups and investors.

After almost a year of accumulating experience in venture capital and investing, Francis decided to focus on this as his career goal. “I want to be an impact investor, helping more people and changing parts of our lives with my knowledge and abilities,” he reveals.

Impact investments are made to generate not just profit, but also positive social and environmental impact. As such, one of the business leaders Francis admires is Zhang Lei, the founder of a Chinese global private equity firm Hillhouse Capital. “He invested in many industries before they became hot. He and his team always conduct deep analyses of industries and companies, which lead to Hillhouse’s outstanding results. And his quote ‘to be a friend of time’ exemplifies his ambition and ethos of value investment.”

After experiencing different industries, the intrepid explorer has finally chosen his professional direction. That said, the door isn’t closed on his eagerness to soak up new knowledge and seek new opportunities. “I will always stay curious,” says Francis.