KINETIK Sweef Interns Case Study Series - Rifa

Tell us a bit about your background and interests. 

I come from an Industrial Engineering background, but have always been interested in 

investments. During my time at university, I joined equity research competitions and actively invested in public markets to deepen my learning. Over time, I felt something was missing. I wanted my work to have purpose, not just returns. That motivated me to look for opportunities where investment can create impact. 

 

What made you join the KINETIK Sweef internship, and how did your background and interests connect to its mission? 

I joined the internship because it aligns perfectly with my interest in investment and my desire to contribute to meaningful change. The Program’s mission of supporting entrepreneurs while advancing gender and climate outcomes felt like the right platform for me to apply my skills while doing work that matters. 

 

Describe a project or initiative you worked on that supported gender equality or climate action. 

I supported the Gender ROITM and Impact Measurement & Management (IMM) workshops, and assisted one of the Fellows with a Technical Assistance (TA) marketing project aimed at improving sales for a circular economy business. Both experiences 

contributed to gender goals by building greater awareness of the importance of gender-responsive practices in business, and to climate goals through practical support for a sustainability-focused business. 

 

How did your contributions help advance the Program’s gender and climate goals? 

By helping on workshops and TA execution, I supported projects that equip entrepreneurs with practical tools to measure and enhance their gender impact. The marketing TA project also contributed to growing a business that promotes circular economy practices. 

 

What hands-on experiences or mentorship at the Program have been most influential for your growth? 

Every day at the Program has been influential. I learned directly from founders and received constant guidance from my supervisors. The combination of real operational exposure and close mentorship accelerated my growth far beyond a typical internship. 

 

Share an example of a challenge you tackled and how guidance from mentors shaped your response. 

One memorable example was when my supervisor pushed me to improve my structural thinking. Through continuous drills and feedback, I learned how to break down problems more logically and communicate my reasoning more clearly. That guidance changed the way I approach tasks and decisions. Even though I’ve improved, I know I am still learning, and this will always be a never-ending learning journey for me. 

 

How has the internship changed your readiness to pursue opportunities in entrepreneurship or impact investing? 

It has been mind-opening. I now understand how impact investing can unlock both financial and social value. Seeing real examples through the Program made me more prepared and confident to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship or early-stage impact investing. 

 

How do you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained at the Program in your next steps? 

I plan to carry forward the mindset that impact and financial returns can reinforce each other. This will guide my future roles, whether in investment or entrepreneurship, ensuring I make decisions that create value beyond just financial metrics. 

 

If the KINETIK Sweef internship was a nasi padang order, what would it be and why? 

It would be rice, jackfruit curry, and beef rendang. The rendang represents the financial strength and rigour, while the jackfruit curry represents the impact. Together they create a complete and fulfilling experience, just like my internship at the Program. 

 

What motivated you to move from intern to full-time employee at the Program? 

I felt this was the right moment to bring everything I learned during the internship into a full-time role. With higher expectations comes higher impact, and I wanted to continue contributing at a deeper level. 

 

How did your internship experiences help you make this transition, and what was most transformative? 

The transition felt natural because the entire Program team actively mentored me. Everyone was open and supportive whenever I had questions. That guidance shaped my confidence and readiness to take on a full-time role. 

 

What advice would you give to future interns who want to pursue a permanent position? 

Stay eager to learn and take initiative. Be proactive in finding learning opportunities and always look for ways to contribute. That mindset will help you grow quickly and show your value to the team.