Hello,
I’ve traded my ramen noodle diet for boring dal chawal and replaced my Netflix binges with Excel spreadsheets. I’ve officially been adulting for 3 months now. Welcome to my life, a place where dreams of world domination are slowly being replaced by the hope of keeping the houseplant alive.
I never truly embraced the idea of growing up until it knocked on my doorstep with my first internship opportunity at India’s fastest growing oral care brand - Perfora, a startup! If you are wondering what it’s like, imagine being tossed into a whirlwind of caffeine, creativity, and slightly organized chaos. It’s been an eye-opening, bewildering experience where I find myself searching “how to write a professional email” in a panic.
Let me paint a picture: startups are like that frenetic friend who insists on “living in the moment” while juggling flaming torches. My days are a mix of brainstorming sessions, impromptu meetings, and having a “What did I get myself into?” feeling at least 10 times a day.
But amidst the chaos, there’s a silver lining, I found myself brushing up on more than just my teeth. I learned the art of brainstorming sessions and how it can lead to successful projects. The freedom to contribute ideas is amazing, and negotiating is both fun and crazy. I also learned that ‘networking’ is just a fancy word for making awkward small talk with people twice your age. It is like levelling up in the game of life, learning that “winging it” is a legitimate strategy - just with a lot more spreadsheets and less wing-flapping. There’s so much fun and growth. Every challenge is a new adventure, and every awkward moment is a step closer to mastering life. Who knew that growing up would be this surprising?
So, that’s a sneak peek into my startup internship adventure. It’s been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs, but incredibly rewarding. To all the people out here who are as new to this thing as me, fear not! Adulting might seem like a monster, but with enough coffee and a sprinkle of humour, you can slay that beast. Just remember, it's okay to not have all the answers. It's okay to mess up, and it’s definitely okay to order in instead of your boring lunch. And remember, even if you accidentally send an unprofessional email to your boss, there’s always a tomorrow.
To navigating life one toothbrush at a time.
Cheers!
Asmi Goel