What My Startup Internship Taught Me About Growth
Ever wondered what it’s really like to do a startup internship? Vasundhara Sidhanti takes you behind-the-scenes for a closer look at all the twists, turns, and takeaways from her internship at Cboost.
You might have heard that start-ups aren’t for everyone. And it’s true, but not for the reasons you might think. If you’re someone who struggles to be flexible, or if you find it tough to pivot quickly, then yes, it might not be for you. If you’re not particularly resilient or don’t thrive in creative environments, then a start-up could feel like a challenge. But here’s the thing they don’t always mention: these skills can all be learned.
That’s exactly what happened when I started working with Cboost. I may not have walked into the door with a fully honed set of startup-ready soft skills, but I picked them up over time, and they became some of the most valuable lessons I took away from my experience.
I wasn’t sure what to expect on my first day – It was my first startup internship, and after a couple of remote internships, I was looking forward to meeting my colleagues in an office environment. What I couldn’t have predicted was that noisy construction work at the office meant that on my first day of the internship I would in fact be working at a beautiful park on a sunny day in Rotterdam! It turned out to be a blessing in disguise – the setting calmed my nerves, and I was able to get to know my colleagues better around a cafe table.
As I went through the onboarding process with the sun on my face, I gradually came to understand that this would be the first thing I learned: always expect the unexpected.
That axiom continued to be true for the rest of my time at Cboost, and it was the best part of my experience! Over the months that followed, I went on an incredible learning journey. Working in marketing at Cboost wasn’t about sticking to one task—it was about adapting to many.
From managing the company’s social media presence to creating promotional materials and researching customer needs, every project offered a new perspective on what marketing truly contributes to a team. At its core, marketing is about translating ideas, values, and innovations into something that resonates. This process required not just creativity, but also a deeper understanding of the technology and people behind it.
Overwhelmed by the Technical Stuff? Join the Club
Given my background, the steepest part of the learning curve for me was the technical side of Cboost’s solutions. These aren’t simple products – they are sophisticated custom tools that help businesses streamline processes, improve efficiency, and uncover new opportunities through AI and automation.
Initially, the technical jargon and intricate processes were overwhelming. But as I engaged more deeply with the team – listening to their insights, asking questions, and observing them at work – I started to see the bigger picture more clearly. One day at a time, I learned how to take these complex ideas and craft stories about them that made them accessible and relatable to a wider audience.
Of course, the journey wasn’t without its challenges. I sometimes found myself lost in the details or unsure about how to meet expectations. There were moments when I would consider a task completed, only to realize I’d misunderstood the core objective. Still, with guidance and support, these missteps became opportunities to grow.
I learned to ask better questions, seek clarity and open communication, and involve team members at key points in the process. Each challenge I encountered taught me to adapt, to communicate more effectively, and to approach my tasks with focus and flexibility.
Thinking Back on It All, Here’s What Matters Most
What set this internship apart for me was the opportunity to collaborate across teams. Working alongside engineering, sales, and leadership, I gained an integrated view of the company and its operations. Despite the fast-paced and dynamic nature of working at a startup, I found that I enjoyed being pushed out of my comfort zone and challenged to take on new responsibilities.
I was soon thinking beyond conventional approaches and adapted myself to new tools and tasks. From mastering platforms like WordPress and Adobe Creative Suite to learning the nuances of customer and competitor research, every project contributed to my growth, both personally and professionally.
Looking back, I’m proud of my achievements during my time at Cboost. From increasing LinkedIn engagement to delivering materials that supported both internal and external communications, I’m glad that I was able to make an impact in my time here. More importantly, I leave with a deeper appreciation for the role of marketing in bridging the gap between innovators and their audience and crafting compelling narratives.
Cboost’s mission to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable and efficient businesses gave me a unique opportunity to bridge cutting-edge technology with real-world impact. Going forward, I know I’ll always carry the lessons I’ve learned and the skills I’ve developed at Cboost with me.
About Cboost
Cboost is an AI and Robotics engineering company that provides custom end-to-end automation solutions for industrial environments. Their AI and Robotics solutions break the limits of automation and enhance efficiency, profitability and flexibility. With an integrated approach, their multidisciplinary team delivers visual quality inspection solutions in dynamic environments, with a user-friendly experience and flexible hardware options.