by Jan Ericsson O. Ang 

The Cloud Ace Gen AI Consultant Internship Program is truly one of a kind. In my eyes, it was a unique experience. As a student, I initially participated in this internship program to fulfill my academic requirements as a BS Computer Science major from the Ateneo de Manila University. However, after completing Cloud Ace’s Gen AI Consultant internship program, I can truly say it wasn’t just about fulfilling academic requirements but learning valuable skills, insights, and life-long skills to help develop my career, and most importantly, myself.

Coming from a background in computer science, I felt like entering an entirely different universe: the consultancy space. I can’t deny that having a background in computer science, data science, and analytics helped me understand the technical aspects of machine learning better. Still, the primary focus of the role is, of course, consultancy. I was onboarded and given a deep dive into business concepts such as logical thinking, problem-solving, and an entirely new field: accountancy. It may seem funny to think that someone who got into a consulting or business-related role wouldn’t know a single thing about accounting. Well, it’s true! I only heard of the term “P&L” during my second day on the job. However, something I truly appreciate about working with Cloud Ace is the genuine attention and support provided to me by my now many mentors. It is here you can truly see the value and advantages of working in a small team in a culture filled with support and chemistry.

I got the opportunity to work alongside different types of individuals. Sir Roy, the Cloud Ace Philippines Managing Director, comes from a background within the Philippine startup community. He never failed to share his experiences and impart knowledge and advice to me, which I accepted and will probably keep in mind as I continue my studies after the end of this summer. He taught me the basics of business-related tasks and always checked up on me.

Another amazing opportunity was the privilege to work alongside Sir Ryan, the Cloud Ace Singapore Managing Director, aiding in different projects with companies I never knew I’d have the opportunity to work with. It was truly amazing how they had complete faith in me to create quality outputs for major companies, empowering me and making me feel the value of my work.

And of course, there were opportunities I never thought were possible. Last but definitely not least, I had the chance to attend a networking event, assist in organizing two events at Google Philippines, travel to Japan to participate in a Gen AI workshop at Google Japan Shibuya, and present the work I spent countless hours on over the past six weeks to the Cloud Ace and Yoshidumi Holdings management at Cloud Ace HQ, Tokyo.

One day at a time, I learned new skills, met amazing people, and finally experienced what I thought was only for the big shots of Silicon Valley. It was a moment of self-realization for both my personal and career life. I realized that students, interns, or others my age are valued and have the capabilities to contribute to companies such as Cloud Ace. Words can’t express my genuine gratefulness for the privilege I was presented with. I look forward to working alongside Cloud Ace once again in the future.