Quest
Quest
The Trick to Acing Your Intern Game in a Start-up? Read on to find out.
It’s one thing to sail through an internship comfortably, and it’s another to emerge as the star intern of your company. If you’re reading this, you’re most likely embarking on your first internship, or have had some experience interning during semester breaks. Nonetheless, you’ve come to the right place if you’re on the lookout for some internship tips. Grab a seat, strap in, and let’s navigate the complex start-up scene as a confused intern.
Firstly, we present you with the million-dollar question – Why should you intern?
If “gaining real-world experience” comes off the top of your head, startups are the go-to. Be prepared for the impending steep learning curve as you embark on essential projects from end-to-end. Not to mention, the fast pace of operations at start-ups definitely takes some time to get used to.
Sounds stressful? Every challenge presents an opportunity. In this case, think about the host of opportunities available: real work experience in a nurturing environment, networking with like-minded individuals, deeper insights into the field of your choice…you name it!
What if I don’t have prior experience? Well, we have to start somewhere. Don’t let the lack of prior experience be your handicap. Prior experience is not a prerequisite to making the most out of an internship, as long as you possess a positive attitude and a willing heart to learn. To get you started, we sat down with three of our interns to learn more about their experience at Quest, a fast-growing and dynamic student-run startup.
Scroll on down for a handy-dandy guide on how to excel as a startup intern!
1. Be ready to contribute your 100% – no more, no less
Time is precious, especially in a startup where it’s all about innovating and experimenting. Every second counts and every team member is valued. “Intern” is a mere label when you’re seen as more of a “team member”. A startup thrives on out-of-the-box concepts from everyone on the team, from founder to intern.
Quest implements the practice of agile teams, which are cross-functional teams consisting of individuals from different departments – Business Development, Product, Tech and Marketing. Whenever critical issues arise, the agile team puts on their thinking caps to nip the problem in the bud. From growth hacking to launching campaigns, our interns, regardless of departments, have a fair share of opportunities to showcase their X-factor when it comes to problem-solving.
Here’s a timely reminder that your ideas, however “crazy” or “insignificant” they may seem to you, could potentially bring a fresh perspective and fuel the progress of a startup. In contrast to MNCs, the amount of resources is comparatively less. Trust us when we say you’ll learn, anything and everything. Hand-holding and micromanaging are not common practices in startups, given that everyone is constantly preoccupied with individual projects. Be prepared to be up on your feet as you dive into the dynamic world of startups!
“Since it’s student-run, it’s all inclusive. You’ll not be dealing with redundant work but will be working on core functionality so be ready to learn and improve on the job.” – Shahzeb Kazmi, UI/UX Design Intern.
2. The magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone
The flexibility of a startup allows room for exploration into the different job fields, even those you’ve probably not imagined yourself to step foot. From software engineering to business development to graphic design, the possibilities are endless, only if you allow yourself to be open-minded. Who knows, you might even discover a hidden talent! For those who aren’t set on your career paths , this is the best time to try your hand at different roles. Conventionally, startups have smaller teams, so it’s easier to look at the bigger picture and witness how the departments bring in their unique perspectives. Also, everyone is kept in the loop of developments, which encourages productive discussions where team members actively bounce off ideas.
At Quest, we have cross-functional collaborations such as one between the Marketing and Business Development team to ensure the continual growth of our platform. On the other hand, our Product and Tech team operate in tandem to facilitate progressive app developments.
However, we recognise that the fluidity of roles in a startup can be a double-edged sword, which leads us to our next point.
“Don’t hesitate to learn about other departments. How they work. I’ve observed how Business Development and Marketing teams work – what goals they try to achieve. Make your experience the most enriching for yourself.” – Shahzeb
3. Live with main character energy – prioritise your learning
Working in a fast-moving environment can sometimes make one lose sight of your original intentions, when you get caught up in the relentless flow of work. As much as the learning opportunities are seemingly boundless, keeping a clear mind on your goals and objectives helps you stay focused on the path to gain necessary skills for the future. While it’s important to venture out of your comfort zone, it shouldn’t end up in a scenario where you’re confused over your role in the startup.
Here’s how you can stay on track of your learning progress. Make it a point to set specific goals you want to achieve by the end of the week or month. Regular check-ins with your supervisors also bridges communication between both parties in terms of understanding one’s learning needs and how they can guide you towards the right direction.
“Be clear-minded, always understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.” – Joanna, Business Development Intern.
“Observe what others do, ask questions when confused, don’t be scared to be heard.” – Amelia Tay, Software Engineer Intern.
4. Bestie, you deserve a break
You’re in this for the long haul. There are going to be days when exhaustion takes over and you lose the fiery drive. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work, but knowing how to cope with the stress makes a difference. Tune out from the grind once in a while and do something you enjoy to recalibrate and reset. Doing sports, taking an evening stroll, watching Youtube – really, anything to take things off your mind! Work hard and play hard, learning how to demarcate work and rest hours are important to avoid burnout. Time and again, we hear advice on how we should manage our time well. Unfortunately, it’s a constant struggle for some of us. On the bright side, just as how Rome was not built in a day, it takes time and experience to perfect the formula of time management and we will get there.
Since Quest is a student-run startup, most of our team members can relate to the struggle of having to juggle between school and work. Our founders, Evan, Craig and Matthew, are university students themselves as well. Naturally, they are very understanding of the need for work-life balance. Work-till-you-drop culture is frowned upon as our founders do everything in their capacity to moderate the workload of interns and facilitate open communication when delegating weekly tasks.
“I’d say the toughest thing I had to deal with was accepting that the BD workload can be never-ending. There are always customers who text in the wee hours of the night, or urgent business problems due to a past oversight that pop up at the worst times.What really helped me was to accept that this is the nature of a fast-moving start-up, and at the same time, separate my working and resting hours.” – Joanna
5. The more, the merrier – have fun with your fellow intern friends!
University is the best time of your life, they said. This adage rings true, even for those who are working while schooling. Yes, working hard is important. Yes, gaining real-world experience is important. But having fun is equally as important and we do not emphasise enough on that.
It’s an understatement to say that we have fun at Quest, when roars of laughter fill our workspace every now and then. Beyond the professional relationships, we see each other as friends, or if you will #workbesties. Even with our bosses, it’s a comfortable setting where interns are able to seek work-related advice during office hours and hang out for chill dinners after work hours. Together, our Quest team also speaks the lingua franca of Gen Z…yeet.
The best connections are those made through jokes and laughter. Who do you think will leave a lasting impression? The intern who comes in, does his work and then leaves or the intern who comes in, has meaningful conversations with the coworkers, and also does his work? Instinctively, it’s safe to assume that the latter will make one’s internship experience more fulfilling. Start slow with a quick “How’s your weekend?” and let the conversations flow.
If it isn’t obvious enough, here’s your sign to – text your fellow intern friends for a casual hangout. Good luck and may you find yourself a true homie!
