Jonathan Kimyai: Why Soft Skills Are the True Engine of Internship Success

The hum of the office air conditioning was a constant, low thrum against the excited flutter in Jonathan Kimyai’s chest on his first day at KPMG.

He was stepping into a Technology Assurance audit internship, a role that, on paper, sounded like a deep dive into binary code and complex financial models.

The word “audit” itself conjured images of spreadsheets stretching into infinity, demanding an almost inhuman precision with numbers.

Yet, as he settled into his temporary workspace, initial advice from a seasoned colleague resonated with surprising clarity, cutting through the technical jargon he’d meticulously studied: “Do not be afraid to make mistakes and ask thoughtful questions to improve upon these mistakes.”

This wasn’t about perfect code or flawless financial reconciliation; it was about the journey of learning, mistakes and all.

That whisper of wisdom, offered in the quiet anticipation of his first project, would prove to be the compass for his entire summer, guiding him towards a truth far more profound than any technical skill he possessed.

In short: Jonathan Kimyai’s KPMG IT Audit internship challenged assumptions, demonstrating that soft skills like curiosity, critical thinking, and genuine connection were more vital than purely technical expertise for real-world success and career development.

His experience offers a powerful blueprint for true internship success.

Why This Matters Now: Beyond Code and Spreadsheets

In an era increasingly defined by algorithms and automation, it’s tempting to believe that sheer technical prowess is the ultimate currency.

Professionals often prepare for roles like an IT Audit internship by focusing solely on hard skills: advanced Excel, specific software knowledge, deep theoretical understanding.

Yet, Jonathan Kimyai’s journey offers a vital counter-narrative, reflecting a broader shift in what truly drives internship success and career development.

His experience at KPMG suggests that while technology assurance demands a foundational grasp of systems and data flow, the real differentiators aren’t just in knowing what to do, but how to learn, adapt, and interact.

This human-centric approach is becoming non-negotiable in dynamic professional environments, where problems are rarely purely technical and solutions almost always require collaboration and strong interpersonal skills.

The Core Problem: Overlooking the Human Element in Technical Roles

A prevailing challenge for many aspiring professionals, especially in fields perceived as highly technical, is the myopic focus on hard skills.

Students often spend years honing coding, data analysis, or accounting literacy, assuming these are the singular keys to unlocking opportunities.

These skills are undeniably important, as Jonathan noted, they are “the first step.”

The true oversight lies in undervaluing soft skills—those inherent human capabilities that facilitate effective problem-solving, collaboration, and personal growth.

Without these, even the most brilliant technical mind can struggle to navigate the complexities of a real-world team or client engagement.

Jonathan’s experience in IT Audit, a field that reviews systems and evaluates IT controls, revealed that human skills of inquiry and connection unlock deeper understanding and greater impact than raw technical ability alone.

A Mini Case Study: Elevating Beyond the Typical Intern Level

Jonathan’s personal journey quickly illustrated this point.

He recounted a specific instance where his critical thinking—asking thoughtful questions and working through problems independently before seeking help—led him to tackle tasks well beyond a typical intern’s remit.

An associate, seeing his screen, remarked on the complexity of the assignment, something they hadn’t encountered during their own internship.

This wasn’t because Jonathan was inherently more technically skilled than his peers, but because his willingness to embrace mistakes, ask “why does this matter?” to understand the big picture, and remain curious in professional development propelled him into more challenging and interesting work.

This proactive approach did not eliminate errors; in fact, the harder the assignments, the more mistakes he made and questions he asked.

But this cycle of challenge, inquiry, and learning became his greatest asset, leading to invaluable exposure and accelerated professional growth.

What Jonathan’s Experience Really Says: Insights for Aspiring Professionals

Jonathan’s summer at KPMG offers several powerful insights, serving as a practical guide for anyone entering a professional environment.

His personal experience underscores the indispensable nature of human attributes in even the most technical IT Audit internship.

• Curiosity as a Strategic Asset: Jonathan found that asking questions, especially those probing the “why” behind a task, was his greatest asset.

  This curiosity fosters context and relevance, driving deeper understanding and professional growth.

  Interns and new hires should ask clarifying questions that connect their tasks to broader project goals, demonstrating initiative.

• Embracing Imperfection for Accelerated Learning: The advice to “not be afraid to make mistakes” became a cornerstone of Jonathan’s growth.

  Mistakes, when followed by thoughtful questions, are powerful learning opportunities, not failures.

  For internship success, adopt a growth mindset, viewing missteps as data points for improvement, and actively seeking feedback to refine your approach, cultivating learning agility.

• The Power of Proactive Connection: Jonathan’s deliberate effort to schedule networking tips and coffee chats, even with senior leaders like partners, paid dividends, leading to a client dinner with key leadership.

  Building relationships isn’t just about job hunting; it’s about enriching daily work, gaining diverse perspectives, and uncovering unforeseen opportunities.

  Allocate dedicated time for informal networking, seeing it as an integral part of professional engagement.

• Time Management as a Holistic Skill: Balancing tasks with networking, all within an 8-week internship, required robust time management.

  Effective time management extends beyond task completion; it’s about strategically allocating resources, including your time and energy, to learning, connecting, and delivering.

  For career development, manage deadlines while also carving out time for reflective practice and relationship building.

A Playbook You Can Use Today: Cultivating Your Soft Skills

Building on Jonathan’s transformative experience, here’s a playbook for cultivating the soft skills that truly drive internship success and sustained career development:

• Cultivate Radical Curiosity: Don’t just complete tasks; ask “why?” and “how does this fit into the bigger picture?”

  Make curiosity your greatest asset, seeking context and understanding in every task for professional growth.

• Practice Intentional Inquiry: Before asking for help, try to work through problems independently.

  Jonathan’s experience with critical thinking strengthens understanding and empowers you to tackle more complex assignments.

  Only then, formulate thoughtful questions that demonstrate your effort and seek specific guidance.

• Prioritize Strategic Networking: Schedule regular informal chats, even if it feels daunting.

  Jonathan’s coffee chat with a partner opened doors to a high-profile client dinner, proving that a genuine effort to be personable can create unforeseen opportunities and strengthen interpersonal skills.

• Master Holistic Time Management: Beyond simply meeting deadlines, intentionally block out time for learning, reflection, and networking.

  Jonathan’s weekly summaries for absorbing feedback and managing his time effectively serve as a powerful model.

• Embrace the Learning Loop: Actively seek feedback, learn from mistakes, and apply those lessons.

  Jonathan’s willingness to make even greater mistakes on harder assignments, coupled with asking more questions, fueled his accelerated exposure and learning agility.

• Develop Learning Agility: The ability to absorb information quickly is crucial.

  By staying curious and asking targeted questions, you enhance your capacity to adapt and learn on the fly, a vital skill in dynamic fields like technology assurance.

Risks, Trade-offs, and Ethics in Soft Skill Cultivation

While the emphasis on soft skills is powerful, there are potential pitfalls if not approached thoughtfully.

One risk is the perception of inefficiency: asking too many questions without prior effort could be seen as a lack of initiative, or networking without genuine interest could come across as transactional.

The trade-off is often between immediate task completion and long-term learning or relationship building.

To mitigate these risks:

• Balance Curiosity with Independent Effort: As Jonathan demonstrated, try to work through a problem first.

  Formulate specific questions that show you’ve invested thought, rather than asking to be spoon-fed answers.

• Authenticity in Networking: Ensure your networking efforts stem from genuine interest in learning from others, not just seeking a favor.

  Focus on building rapport and understanding their roles and experiences.

• Ethical Questioning: Be mindful of proprietary information and client confidentiality when asking questions.

  Understand the boundaries of what can and cannot be discussed.

• Time-Boxing: Allocate specific, reasonable amounts of time for independent problem-solving, reflection, and networking so it doesn’t detract from urgent deliverables.

  This supports effective time management.

Tools, Metrics, and Cadence for Soft Skill Growth

Cultivating soft skills requires structure, just like any hard skill.

Here’s how to integrate it:

Practical Tool Stack:

• Digital Calendar: For scheduling coffee chats, blocking “deep work” time, and setting reminders for reflective journaling.
• Journal or Notepad: Jonathan’s practice of writing weekly summaries of work, feedback, and lessons learned is invaluable for absorption and intentional professional growth.
• Collaboration Platforms: For quick, thoughtful questions to team members, ensuring clarity without constant interruptions.

Key Performance Indicators (in text form):

• Engagement Scores: Peer and supervisor feedback on communication, teamwork, and proactiveness.
• Learning Velocity: Rate at which new tasks are understood and executed with less supervision.
• Network Breadth and Depth: Number of unique individuals engaged in meaningful conversations beyond the immediate team, and the quality of those interactions.
• Problem-Solving Autonomy: Percentage of tasks completed with minimal supervision after initial guidance.

Review Cadence:

• Daily: Brief self-reflection on one learning point or one thoughtful question asked.
• Weekly: As Jonathan did, write a summary of work, including positive or constructive feedback, and plan for the next week’s learning and networking goals.
• Monthly: Longer-form reflection with a mentor or supervisor on career development progress, skill gaps, and aspirations.

FAQ

How do I balance technical work with making an effort to be personable during an internship? Jonathan Kimyai’s experience suggests that effective time management is key.

He made a deliberate effort to schedule coffee chats, showing that intentionality is more important than endless availability.

Block out specific times for networking just as you would for technical tasks.

What is the best way to ask thoughtful questions without seeming like I don’t know anything? Jonathan emphasizes trying to work through problems independently first.

This demonstrates critical thinking.

Frame your questions to show your attempted solutions and specific areas of confusion, allowing you to learn from mistakes effectively.

Why is curiosity so important in a role like IT Audit? Jonathan found curiosity in professional development to be his greatest asset.

It enabled him to understand the “big picture” and the “why” behind tasks, which allowed him to take on more complex assignments and connect with the work on a deeper level.

How can an intern build connections with higher-ups like Partners? Jonathan’s mentor encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone.

His deliberate effort to schedule a coffee chat with an engagement Partner led to a significant opportunity, highlighting the value of being proactive and personable and developing strong interpersonal skills.

Conclusion

Jonathan Kimyai’s summer at KPMG wasn’t just an IT Audit internship; it was a masterclass in the human elements that truly drive professional growth.

From the initial advice to embrace mistakes and ask questions, to the strategic coffee chats that opened doors to client dinners, his journey underscored a profound truth: while hard skills provide the foundation, soft skills build the skyscraper.

His experience teaches us that internship success isn’t about knowing everything upfront, but about the willingness to learn, adapt, and connect.

It’s about nurturing curiosity, embracing critical thinking, and understanding the power of networking and strong communication.

If we truly want to thrive in our careers and foster meaningful career development, Jonathan’s blueprint is clear: don’t aim for perfection—aim to stay curious, be proactive, and make an effort to connect.

That, he found, is what truly drives success.

References

– Kimyai, Jonathan.

“What hard/soft skills helped Jonathan the most during his internship.”

Personal Account of KPMG Technology Assurance Audit Internship.

(Date of experience: Summer 202X, specific year not provided).