College Vaarta’s Post

𝗢𝘆𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻... ...These are the words that I have started liking now. Has a certain rhyme to it, doesn't it? Getting to work at a fintech as a product guy was something that I really wanted to do and turns out I do pretty decent at it. lol Adding to that I was asked to do a lot of product analytics, so now I can double down as a product analyst too, how great is that huh? So, I haven't gone home for more than 5 months now, being a certified mumma's boy, it wasn't easy!!! I had to choose between going home in my 1 month-ish summer vacation or do an internship and guess what? internship it is. Now let me tell you why should do the same: *Being in college you don't have to select things rather cut them off, there are so many options and fields to go in and internships give you the bird's eye view of those options so you can check-off options easily. *(This might be a little debatable) but work in startups, because there is so much to do and everything that you can think of, can add value. *Have the right intent to work. Skill comes later, knowledge comes later, !INTENT! takes you everywhere * Don't do things for the sake of it and because everyone is doing it. *Once you are in the game (like actually working), commit to it and ask for work early in you career, specially in internships. *Also connect with everyone when you join a workplace. If you know things and you can't sell yourself or talk to people, it is going to be a even tougher ride!!! More than advice these are the things that I have learnt along the way. Also, there is a lot of content coming along since I have so much happening right now and so little time to do stuff. Stay tuned... Cheers!!! #internship #growth #startup #productivity #office

📣For #SummerInterns! FOMO? Especially those interning in start-ups/ at a lower stipend must be feeling this because ♦️ Your peers are working in better/reputed organizations 💪 ♦️ Your peers are posting/flaunting their internship onboarding experience & achievements on social media 🤳 ♦️ Your peers will be getting more stipend than you! 💵 ♦️ Your peers are getting opportunities to meet renowned business leaders during their internships. 🧑💻 My suggestion? Don't ❌ ✨Whatever you are doing, in whichever company and at whatever stipend just give your best 💯 ✨ Many times Start-ups provide some of the best opportunities for learning & personal growth. So instead of comparing your stipend with others just give your 100% & make the most of your internship. ✍️ ✨ This internship is not the end of the world. If you failed to get into a desired company, role, stipend it's completely fine! You will get ample opportunities in future in various other forms. ✌️ ✨ Last but not the least if it affects your peace distance yourself from social media platforms for initial few days. 🚶 More power to you 💫 I hope it helps! #startups #internship #fomo #stipend #mba

Being a intern at my first internship in a startup, I realized that real growth doesn’t happen by simply following the task list you're assigned. It’s when I started stepping out of my comfort zone: - speaking up in meetings - taking on projects outside my expertise - and embracing the uncertainty of fast-paced challenges—that I truly began to grow. The most rewarding lessons came from moments where I took initiative, stumbled, learned, and tried again. It’s not just about doing the work, it’s about owning it and pushing yourself to think and act like a core part of the team. #linkedin #growth #intern

This is how you stand out in a crowded field! 🌟 Your extracurricular activities could be the key to landing that dream job! 🚀 Heather Henderson from Uber shares how showing leadership on campus through student organizations helps showcase your skillset and collaboration abilities, even without a formal internship. 💡 Don't underestimate the power of "just being in the room" — it could be the game-changer for your career! 🎯 Tune in now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts to kickstart your career journey with actionable insights and strategies! #CareerHack #EarlyCareerSuccess #StandOut #Leadership #Internships Brandon Amoroso ⚡Chirayu Arya 🎨

#throwback: I remember the day I decided to immediately launch my first startup after my 3 months internship contract ended at that moment. I worked with a lot of people and got various big projects from some well-known companies, and then... yes I FAILED haha. It only lasted for a year! 😅 But, some of my clients are still loyal to me until now. Experience is the best teacher, right? I never regret it at all. It was bittersweet and a little stupid, I know, but it was a necessary step for my growth. I consider myself a persistent and practical person, I always enjoy learning something new by doing it with a lot of observation, practice, sharing knowledge, and learning more about it. 😉 Each new project brought fresh challenges and opportunities to refine my skills. I collaborated with brilliant minds, soaking up their insights and sharing my own. My network grew, and so did my understanding of the various industries. I found joy in the journey, in the constant evolution of my abilities and the expansion of my passions. 🙌 Today, I stand confident, knowing that failure was just a stepping stone on my path to success. My persistence has paid off, I'm grateful and I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. Until now, I continue to embrace new experiences, always ready to learn and grow. I don't care about people who judge me or underestimate me anymore. The journey is far from over, and I look forward to many adventures in the future. 👩🚀 😄 #personaldevelopment #motivation

Standing out as a #productmanager in today's crowded market requires more than just exploration – it's about finding your unique niche. Whether it's in insurtech, healthtech, or a specialized role like an Analytical PM or a Growth PM or a Generalist, honing your expertise is crucial. To all the junior college students eager for PM #internships, I urge you to dive into a sector you genuinely enjoy and build your personal brand around it. While college is indeed a time for #exploration, there will inevitably be moments where you realize, 'This role or industry isn't for me.' If that happens, don't hesitate to pivot and try something new, but choose wisely this time.🤔 Remember, 'Don't be everything for everyone.' That strategy never works. I came to understand the importance of this perspective later than expected. Yet, I believe it can greatly benefit fellow juniors and anyone navigating their product journey.🌟 #productmanagement #navigation #internship

Free internship or not? This one Is inspired by some of the funny stories of people who interned for free. Internships can be life-changing, but only if both parties—founders and interns—do it right. I've seen startups call for interns, only to leave them with little guidance or growth opportunities. And on the flip side, I've seen interns show up without clarity or intentionality, hoping things magically fall into place. This table!😅 Let’s change that narrative, Intern Edition: 1. Know your “why”: Ask yourself: Why are you interning? I know it’s for experience but for that particular role, why? What do you want to learn? Knowing your goals will keep you focused and intentional. 2. Do your research: Before you join a project, ensure it’s worth your time. Is the idea viable, or just a lazy concept with no clear direction? Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. 3. Build relationships: Your network is just as important as the skills you’ll learn. Take time to connect with team members, founders, and even other interns. 4. Document your journey while at it: Track your tasks, wins, and lessons. This isn’t just for your résumé—it’s for your growth. Reflecting on your progress helps you see how far you’ve come and what’s next. An internship is more than a line on your CV or a temporary helping hand for a startup. It’s a partnership. Founders and interns both have a role to play in making it meaningful.

Execution can be a hurdle for many #interns and recent grads entering Product Management. Many don’t realise how much it impacts their chances of getting a #PPO or increasing their value in the company to make them irreplaceable. Although bringing ideas is important, the value of a person in a company (especially #startups) is defined by how efficiently and effectively they implement those ideas. So, after my internship stint, I noticed a few things that can really help with getting things done. They might even make a good impression on the team. ▪ Give a low touch experience to your manager by keeping your manager informed without becoming a constant presence ▪ Get a clear understanding of deadlines upfront. This demonstrates foresight and avoids last-minute scrambles ▪ Sometimes, communication silos exist. Subtly identify these and gently facilitate information flow, ensuring everyone's on the same page ▪ Always close the loop on tasks. This quiet dedication speaks volumes about your ownership and work ethic Let's be honest, nobody starts out a master executor. These are the things I picked up along the way that made a difference. Also, share your ideas to master execution in Product Management in the comment! #productmanagement #internship #leadership

If I hire an intern, they better swim when I throw them in the deep end. I used to believe internships should be structured and polished, a formal program with clear steps and plenty of hand-holding. But after years of watching it play out, I’ve learned that this "school-like" approach doesn’t work. Most intern programs focus heavily on training. They ease interns in slowly, with no real work to do. Weeks spent learning, maybe a few days actually doing the job. By the time the intern leaves, they have a certificate, a small paycheck, and a shiny new line on their resume. But what’s the point? They leave with only surface-level knowledge, never truly diving in. That’s when I changed my approach. I throw them in the deep end. No life jacket, no hand-holding. I let them sink or swim. And you know what? 99% of the time, they swim. When interns are given the space to think, find problems, and ask tough questions, they rise to the challenge. They step up, tackle real work, and make real contributions. I’ve seen them grow faster than any structured program could ever push them. That’s why people come to startups for growth. It’s a pace you won’t find in a corporate job. I know because I lived it. By 26, I was leading a team of 20 as an Engineering Director. That kind of growth would’ve taken me a decade at a big company. In a startup, I achieved it in a fraction of the time, three, five, or even ten times faster. This is why I run internships the way I do. It’s not about playing it safe. It’s about creating an environment where they can grow, learn, and become indispensable, just like I did. Throw them in the deep end, and watch them rise.