As our 2025 Summer Internship Program draws to a close at the end of January, we’re excited to share the experiences of two talented interns who joined us this year: Serena Hoang and Songting Huang. Over their time at Olvera Advisors, they stepped into the fast‑paced, hands‑on world of restructuring and insolvency – an area few university courses truly prepare you for.
Both interns brought curiosity, energy, and fresh perspectives to the team. Here’s a look at their journey, what they learned, and how their time with us has shaped their next steps.
Serena is entering her final year of a double degree with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Bachelor of Psychology at Macquarie University. Songting will complete her Master of Commerce at University of New South Wales this year. Both were matched with Olvera through the Chartered Accountants ANZ Achievers Program after submitting their applications and going through interview rounds and have spent this summer gaining practical experience.
First step into the corporate world
Walking into a boutique advisory firm can be daunting, especially for students making their first step into the corporate world. Both interns shared similar first impressions of the Olvera environment: professionalism, approachability, and a welcoming atmosphere.
“Everyone is so cool. The office is so nice with lots of natural light – and everyone looks so professional,” Serena recalls. For Songting, this was her very first office job. “I was nervous, but everyone was so approachable. I was introduced to the whole office on the first day and it made a big difference.”
Both interns described Olvera’s culture using the same words: supportive, inclusive, and professional.
Olvera Advisors Principal Tony Wright describes the internship as one of the most rewarding initiatives that the firm runs each year. “This program is designed to give emerging talent a taste into what the restructuring and insolvency industry is all about. Our interns work alongside us on real transactions, contribute to meaningful analysis, and see firsthand how we can help clients navigate complex challenges.”
Beyond the textbooks
Serena and Songting were given exposure to learning in real time, beyond the textbooks. Both agree that university can only teach you so much, and that restructuring and insolvency in particular come to life when you’re in the field.
For Serena, the biggest learning was clarity about the industry: “Restructuring and insolvency isn’t taught much at uni – it’s really niche. Being here helped everything make sense. I learned what an Analyst actually does and how the skills I’ve learned at uni apply in real work.” An unforgettable moment for Serena included sorting through a company’s records on‑site – a task that offered a rare look behind the scenes of a real appointment.
For Songting, the highlight was applying knowledge and learning to communicate effectively: “Communication is so important. Uni is largely theoretical, but here the cases are real-life. You can’t rely on AI, you need to talk to your team and ask questions.”
Songting’s internship mentor, Olvera supervisor Matthew Weston, was high in his praise for the experience. “Working with Songting was incredibly rewarding. She brought a strong work ethic, genuine curiosity, and a willingness to learn that made mentoring her a real pleasure. She picked things up quickly and wasn’t afraid to ask thoughtful questions, which is exactly what you want to see in someone starting out in restructuring and insolvency.”
Real-life learning
Both interns were exposed to real client matters and quickly realised how different real cases are from university exercises. “Cases at uni are 4–5 pages. Here they are so much more complex. You need to take time to understand the details,” Songting explains. Serena was fascinated by watching the team “connect the dots” on projects at speed. “It’s amazing how fast the team works. They know exactly what they’re looking for, and they’re so precise.”
When asked to share their advice for students considering an internship, both Serena and Songting were quick to share their thoughts. “Just do it, you’ll learn so much,” said Serena. Songting added “Don’t overthink it and don’t be nervous – just apply. Jump into it if you get the chance.”
Serena’s mentor, Olvera manager Max Florian also reflected on the last few months: “Mentoring the next generation of practitioners has been a rewarding experience in addition to being integral to their professional growth. The summer internship brought renewed energy and enthusiasm, positively impacting both the team and Olvera as a firm.”
“We’re proud to invest in the next generation of problem-solvers,” says Tony. “Our team is grateful for the energy, commitment and curiosity that Serena and Songting brought to our team this summer, and we look forward to watching them grow.”
