When you break down your options, picking between an internship at a large company and a startup is a no-brainer. You’re not alone in this; many young people today prefer to work for corporations with a large employee base. Truth be told, who wouldn’t want Google, Procter & Gamble, or Apple on their resume?
Contrary to popular belief, however, there are numerous upsides to interning at a startup. When you’re first starting out in your career, it can be beneficial to find work with a smaller company, such as a startup. For the Virtual Internship you can attend the Virtual Internship program.
To convince you, we present seven compelling arguments for seeking an internship at a startup:
Define the term “startup.”
The term “startup” has a wide range of applicability, from one-person operations to the largest technology companies in the world.
It is possible, however, to define a startup as an organisation that:
Is Just Starting Out/In the Pitch Phase of Business Development
is self-funded or looking for venture capital from banks or investors; it has fewer than three founders.
Are primarily concerned with expansion
In addition, new businesses function slightly differently from more established ones. Startups are businesses that aim to introduce novel products or services to consumers. However, MNCs set out to be innovative and responsive to local needs when they first open their doors.
Numerous large corporations owe their origins to scrappy startups that dared to be different, such as Grammarly, Airtable, LinkedIn, and many more. Virtual Internships is a startup just like our own company. According to Holon IQ, we will be one of the top 100 Edtech Startups in Europe by the year 2020.
With that out of the way, let’s discuss the top seven attractions of startup internships, which attract tens of thousands of students annually.
Learn to Think Like a Business Owner
Most new businesses get their start because their founders want to change the world. That’s why helping an innovative company in any way can be the most rewarding experience of your professional life.
In addition, as you begin your search for employment, you will notice that many postings emphasise a desire for candidates with “experience working in a high-growth business environment,” i.e., a startup.
Companies value startup interns because they know that through hands-on experience working on projects alongside the company’s founders (which 70% of our interns do), they will develop important entrepreneurial skills such as risk-taking, analysis, optimism, leadership, team management, and persistence.
This Is a Real-World Education
In contrast to multinational corporations (MNCs), startups typically have flatter organisational structures and fewer employees. Mentors can easily focus on each intern individually, which boosts their education.
In addition, interns at startups work on critical projects from inception to execution, as opposed to the sad reality of fetching coffee and data entry at large organisations.
You may even be given the opportunity to oversee a team of interns or serve as a mentor if you have relevant experience and/or perform admirably in your role.
I’ll let you try on a few different hats
Internships at startups can be a great option if you are still weighing your options and trying to figure out what you enjoy doing most. Working on a small team means you get exposure to many facets of the company. Some examples of such work include conducting research, writing business plans, and contributing to the construction of a website.
The majority of new businesses take measures to keep all of their workers informed (something extremely rare in larger organizations).
Consequently, working as an intern at a startup will provide you with the cross-team exposure you need to gain insight into various professions.
Gaining Promotions Takes Less Time
According to research by CoffeMug.ai, a large majority (74%) of experienced professionals would rather work for a young company than for an established one. Most people say it’s due to the money, the growth, and the ease of moving up the corporate ladder.
Startup interns face the same challenges. Seventy percent of our host companies are startups, and one in four virtual interns receives an offer of employment after completing their internship. As a result, our interns have excellent prospects of being hired on permanently by a fast-growing company.
Develop a Powerful Contact Base
Working in a small company where everyone knows each other’s names is a major perk of working in a startup. In the long run, these people you meet can become a strong professional network that propels your career forward.
In addition, as the startup expands into a larger company, you will have connections who can act as a mentor or get you hired for better positions in the future.
The contacts you make as an intern at a startup could prove invaluable to you in the future, whether you decide to stay with that company or move on to another.
Enhance Your Soft Skills
In addition to what we’ve already said, interning for a startup is a fantastic opportunity to build your resume while contributing to the company’s success.
It is true that a lot of effort is required; unlike large corporations, startups do not typically have clearly defined roles and responsibilities for interns. The strength, however, lies in the fact that all members work diligently toward a common objective.
In addition, most workers at a startup are urged to think outside the box and find novel solutions to problems. Therefore, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, a startup can help you develop the hard and soft skills that will make you more marketable to employers.
Improve Your Response Time
In a startup, you’re more likely to receive constructive criticism from your coworkers and superiors on the spot. This is so because you’ll get to know your teammates better and your elders better through close collaboration.
Everyone on a close-knit team is aware of your strengths and weaknesses. A startup internship is a great way to learn from your mistakes and avoid repeating them in the future with the help of constructive criticism.
In contrast to working for a large corporation, where your contributions may or may not have an impact on the company as a whole, your efforts will be appreciated at a startup. The results of your actions have an instant impact on the company’s prosperity.
Where Can I Look for Internship Opportunities at a Startup?
That settles it: internships at startups are definitely worthwhile. The question that arises now is how one goes about securing an internship with a startup.
It is increasingly difficult to land a valuable internship that will enhance your resume and prepare you for the job market. Do not worry; we will protect you.
If you’re looking for an internship and you want to do it remotely, Virtual Internships can help you find one. We connect ambitious interns like you with cutting-edge businesses in over 150 different countries.
The most exciting aspect of our virtual internship programme is that 70% of our interns get to work directly with our founders and CEOs. If you do well during your internship, you may be offered a permanent job afterward.
Also Read:
