Embarking on my first internship experience ever, which is also happening in a foreign country was both thrilling and stressful. As a student from France, stepping into the work culture of Japan not only broadened my perspectives but also challenged me in ways I had never imagined. Working in a dynamic strategy consulting startup, I quickly realized that I would be navigating uncharted waters, both professionally and culturally. From day one, I was immersed in a whirlwind of activities that demanded versatility. My role in the back office required me to juggle a myriad of tasks— from administrative duties to promotional posts, recruiting skills or article writing and so on. Each day presents a new learning opportunity for me.
One of the most enriching aspects of my internship is the exposure to a new environment. Different from anything I have known so far, the work industry is teaching me patience, new skills and I am discovering more about the tasks I like and dislike. On top of my office work, I had to opportunity to start participating to events. Engaging with people from different backgrounds during events and meetings not only enhanced my interpersonal skills but also taught me the importance of cultural sensitivity in professional settings. I learned to communicate effectively across language barriers and learned to adapt my approach to suit different cultural norms as well as I learned more about business talks.
Throughout this journey, I found myself and -am still finding myself- constantly pushing boundaries and gaining confidence by stepping outside my comfort zone. Whether it is about being creative and taking initiatives or fulfilling precise tasks, I learned the valuable lesson of putting myself out there and seizing opportunities I had never considered before.
Working in a startup environment also provided unique insights into the entrepreneurial industry. I believe that the opportunity to work in a small cooperation is not given to everyone and it makes a clear difference. Working for a start up forces one to develop a multitude of skills. Unlike in a big company where each section of the work is managed by a team of specialists, a start up requires its employees to be present on every front. From the human resources to the technological matters, everyone has to help in every domain. This need of taking care of every aspect of the business allowed me to develop many skills all at once as well as to improve myself in multitasking and in organizing my schedule.
Throughout this internship, I am expected to report hourly on the work I am doing. At the end of each day, a daily report with the tasks accomplished, the progress made, the considerations etc. is expected which asks for a real discipline from me and an impeccable organization. This aspect of reporting my work hourly was a new challenge for me as I had never been faced to anything similar before. Culturally speaking, it was also an adaptation for me as this practise is proper to the Japanese work ethic and is very different from what is done in France.
Moreover, learning from mistakes became a cornerstone of my internship experience. In a startup, where resources are often limited, every decision carries weight. I embraced failures as opportunities for growth, understanding that resilience and adaptability are key to navigating the unpredictable terrain of entrepreneurship. Spending my first internship experience in a start up is a great opportunity for me and as my internship continues, I wish to develop even more skills and to learn more about the career I would like to pursue.