At Onova, our interns are more than just temporary team members; they are integral to our culture of innovation, learning, and collaboration. Each intern's journey here is unique, shaped by diverse projects, challenges, and the strong support system we provide. Below, we share the experiences of three interns — Sara Guo, Riya Kumar, and Matthew Liu — who reflect on their time at Onova, offering insights into the opportunities, growth, and memories they gained.
My Onion-Peeling Internship Saga: Reflecting on a Year of Growth at Onova
By Sara Guo, Innovation Consultant Intern and Marketing Lead (Google GenAI Hackathon 2023)
At 2 AM on a chilly December night, I found myself reflecting on my year-long internship at Onova. It wasn’t an ordinary experience; it was more like peeling the layers of an onion — each project revealing a new layer of growth, skills, and self-discovery.
Over the course of 10 projects, tears, and triumphs, I navigated both Onova and Inoki Bathhouse, a wellness e-commerce venture, evolving from a marketing intern to taking on responsibilities in hiring, social media, and video content creation. My time also saw me managing campaigns for Inoki’s two-year anniversary and product launches, alongside tackling ad-hoc tasks from customer service to email flows.
Yet, the most transformative part of my internship was learning the art of communication and feedback. Onova’s unique culture of two-way feedback, a blend of giving and receiving at every level, deeply shaped my growth as a professional. Weekly 1:1 meetings, candid conversations, and collaborative problem-solving became part of my everyday, pushing me to develop the skills to address challenges head-on.
There were moments of doubt, like my first tough conversation with my boss two months in, which led to a breakthrough in confidence and a desire to continually improve. This no-nonsense culture helped me cultivate a sense of resilience and adaptability, preparing me for any future challenges.
I’m grateful for the rich, layered experience that Onova provided. Much like my journey at Onova, the onion analogy isn't just about the layers; it's about the rich and complex flavours they bring to the overall experience. So, here's to peeling more onions, facing more challenges, and savouring the unique journey that each layer unfolds.
I’m not cutting onions, you are.
From Self-Doubt to Confidence: 8 Months of High-Impact Learning and Leadership
By Riya Kumar, Innovation Consultant Intern (BMO Destination Digital 2024)
Though my time at Onova felt brief, it was transformative. When I first joined, I struggled with self-doubt, feeling like an outsider in a fast-paced environment filled with talented consultants and developers. But with the right mentorship and a strong support system, I pushed myself to learn new technologies, like React and API Calls, while also picking up design tools like Figma.
Onova offered me more than just technical growth; it gave me a platform to develop critical soft skills. From leading client meetings with technology partners (such as AWS, Splunk and Salesforce) to facilitating learning workshops with hundreds of internal BMO employees, I gained confidence in navigating complex projects with numerous stakeholders. This level of responsibility is rare in internships, but at Onova, trust is given right from the very start.
Looking back now, I realize how much I’ve grown, both professionally and personally. Onova encouraged me to challenge my limits and discover what I’m truly capable of. I cannot thank everyone on the team enough for all their support and enthusiasm.
From Student to Software Developer: Overcoming Uncertainty
By Matthew Liu, Software Developer for Earth and PokerGPT
Transitioning from university assignments to real-world software development is no easy feat, but my time at Onova bridged that gap. When I first joined, I was inundated with a flood of technical challenges, from debugging memory errors to managing full-stack development for real clients.
Onova pushed me to quickly adapt and learn, taking on responsibilities that I wouldn’t have thought possible at this stage of my career. The pressure to "move fast and break things" forced me out of my comfort zone and into a mindset of action over hesitation. The experience wasn’t easy, but it was the perfect environment for growth.
As I say goodbye to Onova, I leave with invaluable skills and a deep sense of accomplishment, grateful for the opportunities and the incredible team that supported me every step of the way.
- These stories reflect the heart of what Onova offers its interns: an unparalleled opportunity for growth, learning, and real impact. Through diverse projects, open communication, and a culture of trust, our interns leave not just with new skills, but with lasting memories and confidence in their abilities.