Shiftgig, the company that I’m
interning at this summer, is still considered a “start-up” as it first launched
in 2012. Because it’s still in the process of expanding, the Shiftgig staff collaborates
to figure out what works and what doesn’t, and how they can use their failure
and success to better the company as a whole. They depend on each other for
guidance, creating reciprocal mentoring that reaches across all departments in
the office. The entirety of the staff, including the two cofounders, work in
the Chicago office and they have interns year round. Two previous interns,
Katherine and Carolanne, have now been hired as full-time employees, and although
it’s not a formal mentorship, they provide assistance and advice to me and the
other interns. Having previously done the sort of work that I’m now doing, I go
to them with any questions I have or problems I’m running into. I admire their
work ethic a lot because they are both dedicated and hardworking, but can also
make the workplace fun when the stress gets to be too much. I shadowed
Carolanne for a couple of hours to get an idea of the sort of work she does to
see if it’s a career path I’d want to follow. She does brand marketing, which is something I'm intrigued by, but I still want to explore other
options so I’m shadowing Katherine as well next week. All in all, I'm really enjoying getting to know my coworkers better!
That's so great that you have informal mentors to answer your questions! I've really liked shadowing my coworkers as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's really great that your coworkers are willing to let you shadow them and are so helpful! Since you have experience in the sort of work you are doing and your company is still expanding, perhaps you can contribute a lot of great insight!
ReplyDeleteIt seems like Shiftgig has a really great work environment. I am envious of your mentors! It must also be reassuring to hear that they hire their interns.
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