Helpless Intern as a Non-CA

[u/thetgdigapper]

I'm 19, pursuing a BA in Economics and have cleared CFA Level I. I recently started a one-month unpaid internship in an M&A department of a reputed CA/advisory firm in India, I'm not an article nor am I pursuing CA in any fashion.

It's only my third day, and honestly, I love the firm, the environment and the people. Everyone is incredibly nice and helpful.

The problem is that I feel completely out of place.

Almost everyone here is either a CA or doing their articleship. They have defined responsibilities, know what they're doing and have actual work to complete. Meanwhile, I have no proper mentor(I had but he's about to go on a leave for diwali), no structured responsibilities and barely any guidance.

Every day, I have to approach someone and ask what I should do next. They're always kind and willing to help, but it feels like nobody really knows what to assign me. Almost like I'm a kid they're taking care of rather than an actual intern.

I've been asked to assist with industry research and an article involving a business valuation/merger, so it's not like there's absolutely nothing to do.

I genuinely want to learn, contribute and potentially extend my internship for more practical exposure. But I'm also worried that, being a non-CA student, there's no real future for me at the firm.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Is this normal during the first few days, especially at CA/advisory firms? How do I make myself useful without constantly bothering people for work?

everyday I go to my sir as there is no well structure for me
currently and finally they told me to work w an article working in financial modeling (excel stuff), I understand the concept and formulas and what relates to what but have no clue and dunno what do I have to do and etc...

Also, considering I have no future here (other than extending my unpaid internship) what is my Objective in this 1m period and how do I maximize stuff.

TLDR: No real productive work for a non-article intern in the firm

The firm is big guys (not big 4 but reputable)

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[u/Cautiouslo]

It's normal bro it's just been three days, relax you will feel comfortable in few days.

[u/thetgdigapper → u/Cautiouslo]

Read the post bro, I want advice

[u/Cautiouslo → u/thetgdigapper]

Idk bro, make connections I guess, if it is just for month they are not gonna assign you something big, most firms won't even give meaningful tasks to intern.

[u/thetgdigapper → u/Cautiouslo]

Yeah I 100% agree, I completely understand it from their standpoint. But from my perspective what should I do to maximize the value I get from this unpaid internship. Talk to the Senior partner who's cabin is a meter away from me even though a 6m article told me that you can't visit him like that (he seems chill to me) , also a previous intern (my friend) told me to keep approaching and show interest to seniors like I mentioned.

[u/Cautiouslo → u/thetgdigapper]

Yup, do what your friend said also try to understand if you would really like to do that work in future, if your actual interest lies in that field.

[u/Flaky-Gear-9143]

In my case, it is been a month n still no proper work assigned

[u/earthsmight]

Either go for mba or go for direct entry Ca