Renad Abdallah, Data Governance Analyst, Sony Interactive Entertainment-PlayStation
Renad Abdallah (MIMS ’23) spent the summer of 2022 as a Data Governance Analyst at PlayStation.
Describe a typical day at your internship.
A typical day during my internship took shape by each project and its anticipated deliverables. I was assigned 2-3 initiatives for the summer. My day would be determined by moving each project forward through a combination of meetings, brainstorming/problem-solving sessions, documenting work, research, and preparing presentation slides. No single day ever looked like the next.
What was the most valuable thing you learned at your internship?
I gained a fresh perspective on the tech industry’s current position as it relates to data governance and privacy demands.
What was the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge was the process of making decisions about the development of a project or initiative — specifically about business outcomes and outputs. It can be daunting because you have to continuously reflect on your approach to a problem or solution.
How did your work at the I School prepare you for this role?
The I School can be intense and challenges us to reframe our perspectives. I think it’s valuable because it helps us to further develop our humility. This is something that has worked in my favor during my internship. Accepting challenges and admitting when I needed support or feedback from my team was highly regarded during my time at PlayStation.
Any advice for first-year MIMS students as they prepare for their internships?
Don’t get hung up on taking as many classes as possible to prepare. Having a more intentional approach to your career and focusing on your own unique path in the program is highly beneficial. Remember, quality over quantity. Being balanced between your own focus and making some room for exploration is useful when it’s time to intern.
Did your internship influence your career plans after graduation?
My internship experience informed me of the management skills needed to be successful in paving my career path. I learned that it’s not just about how much you know — especially when you’re starting out. It encouraged me to focus on strengthening the soft skills and the “muscles” that can assist the learning process while I’m out in the field.
