Intern to Strategist: A Startup Story
Working for a startup always involves an element of risk. There is great opportunity in proving yourself to be a valuable employee before a new business really takes off…but there is no guarantee for the company’s projected success. This leaves many internship-seeking college students unsure of whether they should try to get a foot in the door at a promising startup, or instead prioritize the name recognition that a more established employer would add to their resume.
A year ago, when I started at MtoM as an intern, I hoped to stay for as long as they would have me. In addition to developing my marketing background, I was able to work directly with the company founders. Access to that kind of top level mentorship would be a lot harder to find in a big corporation. Literally sitting next to the mind that envisioned what MtoM would hopefully become, I found myself sharing that vision. Even with the stress of balancing school, an almost full time job, and an internship, I looked forward to a day of work at MtoM. Even in my least favorable projects, this office was where I wanted to be. Yet, the uncertainty of the startup loomed: would I be hired?
I recently read an article by Patrick Thean exploring how millennials have a different perspective on their job choices. Thean suggested that their work values are not aligned with those of previous generations: “Where generations before them would take whatever position necessary to make ends meets, members of the millennial generation are much more interested in truly enjoying what they do. In fact, almost two-thirds of millennials would rather make about $40,000 a year at a job they love than $100,000 a year at a job they think is boring.” In many ways, this reflects my own experience in working for a startup: I want MtoM to grow and even more exciting, I want to grow with it.
I am now working as a strategist for a startup that has grown tremendously in the past few months, and I see my position here as more than just a paying job. This new career path makes me happy to brave commuter traffic and sometimes give up evenings and weekends for work-related assignments. I receive guidance directly from the CEO and there is always a new skill to learn. The experience I’ve gained through an ever-changing and expanding job has made working for a startup the best opportunity I could have landed.
The key to getting the most out of an internship with a startup is having enthusiasm for the company’s vision. The more you believe in the business, the harder you will want to work. And when you love what you do, the risk of not being hired full time is far outweighed by the extraordinary opportunities you are offered.