There are only a handful of experiences in my time at University that have had a profound impact on my professional career path. In the summer before my senior year, I had the opportunity to work at an innovation consultancy startup called Onova. Although it was one of my first tastes in the professional industry, working at a start-up has not only challenged my skillsets but also highlighted my passions and strengths. Here are three reasons why I recommend interning at a startup:
Accelerated Growth
Startups are ever-changing. The environment and situation of the company can rapidly shift from month-to-month and even week-to-week. This means that your responsibilities and role need to mold to the state of the company. During my internship at Onova, the most valuable skill I perfected was how to learn and master different skills quickly and effectively. Although my role was that of an Innovation Consultant, I was also a marketer, a salesman, a designer, a project lead, and all things in between. Through only one experience, I accumulated skills of multiple roles that helped me explore areas that I would never have been exposed to otherwise. From this experience, not only was I able to refine and sharpen the tools in my toolkit, but I also discovered new passions that would ultimately change my career trajectory towards.
Tons of Responsibility
With great power comes great responsibility. This has never been truer as a team member of a 5-person startup. No, you are not expected to do coffee runs nor will you be given mundane organizing tasks. You will be treated as a full-time employee and your responsibility will be akin to one. Before I started working at Onova, I never would have imagined that by the end of my internship that I would be leading client meetings and managing entire projects and multi-national teams. The impact and reach my work had on the project and its many levels of stakeholders as an intern would be unfathomable to similar roles in a larger corporation. It was not only empowering but also it gave me a deeper insight into my own capabilities.
The People
The individuals and colleagues I got to know at Onova are some of the most intelligent, versatile, and motivated people I have ever met. You will undoubtedly be surrounded by and work closely with capable individuals. Whether it’s another intern or the founders, everyone will be working together. In an all hands-on deck environment like that of a startup, you will learn the ins and outs of collaboration, openness and learn to rely on your teammates. The bonds you form during this time will be ones that lasts a lifetime.
The start-up life is a unique and eye opening experience. The people you meet and responsibility you’ll have will unquestionably prep you for any career. Â
