Dancing in the Rain: Interning at a Startup

“Are you a plant person?” is a question you might hear at VaVersa BV when starting an internship there. In September 2023, I was the new Marketing and Sales intern at an agri-tech startup that provides indoor vertical farms for professional kitchens. This was my first plunge into the startup world, and navigating between the plant lab and the workshop at the office, I knew I could learn and do way beyond my role’s scope at VaVersa. Of course, I had my ups and downs, but I managed to gain some survival skills. So, allow me to share my newfound wisdom and observations in this blog.

A whole new world

VaVersa’s culture was different and refreshing. The company’s laissez-faire approach meant that I was trusted with my tasks and deadlines, and free to organize my time as I saw fit. Unlike the structured expectations in corporate settings, VaVersa operated on a principle of self-motivation and collaboration, rather than competition. Was this the comfort of working at a startup? The environment fostered a sense of ownership over my work, encouraging me to give my best without the typical pressures of a conventional workspace.

The calm before the storm

My first month at VaVersa was a whirlwind. I tackled all projects and tasks handed to me with a speed that even I was surprised by. I hopped between Marketing and Sales tasks and was eager to take on more and more. However, my adaptability was soon tested with a major project: designing VaVersa’s pitch page for a crowdfunding campaign. To me, this task was pivotal as it was the first impression that potential investors had of VaVersa, and played a crucial role in securing funding.

The storm

As a self-confessed perfectionist, I was in uncharted waters. What felt like a thousand rounds of feedback and back-and-forths with management, communication consultants, and coworkers, I was beginning to feel frustrated with such a huge project that felt like it was going on forever. The pressure, subtle yet persistent, was a reminder that the laid-back startup feel does not mean a lack of challenges. Despite my goal to learn as much as I can, I struggled to stay motivated. After an open conversation with my team lead, I realigned my approach to tackle the project by prioritising efficiency more, instead of aiming for perfection. 

The aftermath

So, am I a plant person? Whether I was one at the beginning or not, I certainly grew into one. The transformative experience I had at VaVersa taught me that regardless of the size of the company you work at, challenges appear in all sizes. Yet, with open and effective communication, engaging with your work, and learning more about yourself, you can manoeuvre your way through any storm. The most valuable lesson I learned, grounded one of my favourite quotes in my head: “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” (Vivian Greene, 1979)

The summary

All in all, allow me to briefly state my lessons: 

1. Know or get to know how you work, and how you can work well. I learned that medium-sized tasks are where I am most productive and that the combination of smaller tasks amidst a large project makes all the difference.
2. A healthy work environment = a healthy you. Being able to banter with my boss about my work style gave me the support I didn’t know I needed to make a change.
3. Stay curious. I was able to stay motivated by finding things that kept me interested and engaged in my work.
4. Take care of yourself. I found myself to be my biggest critic during challenges. However, as soon as I embraced myself, paused to reflect, and turned down the noise, I could feel a renewed sense of energy.