My first experience onsite

Aparajita mehrotra
4 min readMay 3, 2023

Exciting, Nerve-Wracking, and Unforgettable

After working remotely/freelancing for a year, I finally got the chance to work onsite for a digital marketing company. It was an exciting and nerve-wracking experience for me since it was my first time meeting most of my colleagues face-to-face, seeing the office, and experiencing the company culture firsthand.

I went on a search spree for my abode for the internship and luckily got the closest. I did not have to even travel to get to the office.

The first day at the office was overwhelming yet exhilarating. As I entered the office, I was struck by the open and modern space, which was unlike anything I had seen before. Everyone was very welcoming, and I felt like I was part of the team already. I was introduced to my team lead, and we discussed the project I was supposed to work on, and I got a better understanding of the company’s goals and values.

Throughout the internship, I participated in several meetings, workshops, and team-building activities. It was an opportunity to learn more about my colleagues, their backgrounds, and their work experience. I was impressed by the talent and expertise of my teammates, and I learned a lot from them.

During the internship, I worked on technologies such as Wordpress, different plugins, mautic plugin. I got to integrate the website. and ran campaigns on the next internship I got to work on MERN tech and then migrate the product on the AWS.

It was great working and migrating the whole end to end product alone.

One of the most exciting things about the onsite visit was being able to explore the city in my free time. I was able to visit some of the famous landmarks and try some of the local cuisine. It was a great opportunity to experience the culture and history of the city and unwind after a busy day at the office.

Overall, my first onsite experience was unforgettable. It was a great opportunity to connect with my fellow colleagues, learn more about the company, and experience the culture firsthand. The experience helped me gain a better understanding of my role in the company and the impact I could make.

Here are my 10 lessons learned from the internships-

  1. Professional etiquette: It gave me an opportunity to learn professional etiquette, such as how to dress, communicate and behave in a professional setting.
  2. Time management: Taught me to manage your time efficiently and prioritize tasks, which is a valuable skill in any workplace.
  3. Collaboration: Working with colleagues from different backgrounds and departments teaches you how to work collaboratively and effectively in a team.
  4. Industry-specific knowledge: Helped me understand the industry-specific knowledge required for a particular job, including jargon, trends, and best practices.
  5. Technical skills: Depending on the type of internship, you may learn technical skills such as software programs, machinery, or other specific tools.
  6. Problem-solving: Internships provide opportunities to solve problems that arise on the job, which helps develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  7. Adaptability: Internships allow you to work in different environments and experience diverse situations that help you adapt to new situations quickly.
  8. Communication: Internships teach you the importance of effective communication in the workplace, including how to communicate with supervisors, colleagues, and customers.
  9. Networking: An internship provides an excellent opportunity to meet professionals in the industry and expand your professional network.
  10. Self-awareness: Finally, an internship helps you become more self-aware of your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, which is a vital component of personal and professional growth.

Here are the 10 things I would do differently-

  1. Set clear goals: Before starting your internship, set clear goals for what you want to achieve during the internship. This will help you stay focused and motivated throughout your internship.
  2. Network more: Take advantage of the opportunity to network with professionals in your field. Attend industry events and meet as many people as possible.
  3. Ask more questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they might be silly. Asking questions will help you learn and show your interest in the company and your role.
  4. Take on more responsibility: If you feel like you could handle more responsibility, speak up and ask for it. This will show your supervisors that you are willing to take on more and can handle it.
  5. Seek feedback: Ask your supervisor for regular feedback on your performance. This will help you identify areas where you can improve and also show your supervisor that you are committed to doing your best.
  6. Be proactive: Take initiative and look for ways to contribute beyond your assigned tasks. This will demonstrate your initiative and help you stand out.
  7. Learn from mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes, but it’s important to learn from them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it and make a plan to avoid making the same mistake again.
  8. Take breaks: It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to recharge and avoid burnout. Take a walk or grab a snack to give your mind and body a break.
  9. Build relationships with your colleagues: Get to know your colleagues and build relationships with them. You never know who you might need to collaborate with or who might be able to help you in the future.
  10. Reflect on your experience: Take some time to reflect on your internship experience and what you learned. Think about how you can apply what you learned in your future career and what you would do differently next time.

At the end, I would like to say that where ever you go for job or intern. Every company is different and you have to work according to that company.

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