5 Reasons Why You Should Intern at a Startup
When you are on the hunt for an internship, it’s easy to go for the well-established companies — imagine how amazing it is to have those big names on your resume! However, you might be missing out on some key perks of working at an earlier stage company (especially if you’re in Boston). Early-stage companies can provide you with more opportunities to make a difference and help you transition from a student to a professional. Here are 5 reasons why interning at a startup could give you the best internship experience ever.
Have Real Responsibility
In large companies, interns are small screws in a big machine. You will mainly be assisting your supervisor meaning your impact is limited. However, at startups, everyone is an indispensable part of the team. Say goodbye to coffee & copies. Get ready to do real projects and maybe even lead one. You might not have a glorious company name (although you might!) to brag about, but your projects and new confidence you get will pave the road to your future job and career success.
Find Your Path
As a college student, it’s normal to feel unsure about your future career, and interning at a startup will be a perfect opportunity to explore your passions. If you work in large companies, you will be assigned a clear and usually set responsibility. But at startups, everyone wears different hats and you will likely be able to work various aspects of the business. You might be managing social media one day, and preparing conference presentations the next.
Be Flexible
Small startups are typically flat organizations, and less hierarchy means less red tape. You won’t worry about rigid rules and complicated process. Everything is task-oriented and your priority is to make the best use of your talent to grow the business. What’s more, you will also enjoy a culture that values each employee and personal relationships.
Learn How Companies Work
At a small startup, you will know everyone in the company and the role they play. You can see how different parts of the company work together to achieve the business goal. Although intuitively, startups seem to have an immature system, the startup structure and culture are inspiring many large companies to retain that structure. As Steve Kaufer, the CEO of TripAdvisor said: “No matter how large we are, I always want to maintain a startup mentality.”
Build Your Network
At startups, you will not only develop strong relationships with your co-workers but also have the opportunity to connect with other people and companies in the industry. They can turn into friends and professional contacts down the line. More importantly, you’ve connected with them through working (taking real responsibility!) with them, so they will have a good sense of your ability. This connection is way more powerful than simply having a nice chat at networking events.
Startups are full of undiscovered value for college students who are making the entrance into the workforce. So don’t be hesitate to search for startup internships, get your application in, and be ready to start an adventure!
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