When you’re only 17, your first experience in the workforce can seem a little intimidating. You have no idea what to expect and can only hope that you’ll be able to figure it out. Before starting at Cuebiq this summer, that was exactly how I felt. I had already met some of my employees and been briefed on my position, but I was nervous about my first office job. However, I ended up being pleasantly surprised.
My First Day at Cuebiq
On day one, I was placed with the Human Resources team to learn more about their tasks and responsibilities. From the moment I arrived, I was immediately encouraged to get involved. Working with HR meant I got to engage with potential candidates and sit in on interviews. Everyone I met was so open and friendly, and I was amazed by my coworkers’ willingness to allow me to observe their daily work activities and even give feedback. Granted, I initially only gave feedback on their English skills, not on their computer engineering expertise, but I felt like a productive part of the team.
Learning The Ropes in the Milan Office
I quickly grasped the basics of HR. I learned to read through a candidate’s CV while listening to their interview and to look out for certain characteristics. My manager provided me with insights on the candidates’ performances, which I found not only interesting but useful going forward in my job search. I was also given the opportunity to attend HR meetings. The responsibilities of an HR team at a global company is fascinating – they must be able to communicate effectively with offices overseas, across language barriers, and with employees across varying disciplines.
Company Culture
After working with HR for a few days, I was moved to the product development team. Even though the content became a lot more technical – and sometimes difficult to understand – I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to manage and direct a team. Anytime I didn’t understand something, I was encouraged to ask questions and my coworkers helped me to figure it out. I was also able to sit in on the project meetings, which gave me a glimpse into the connectedness of Cuebiq’s culture. Each member of a team is part of a larger whole, and in a business, everyone has their own vital role to play in completing the final product. Therefore, it is essential to communicate and be cooperative with your team – something that I consistently saw my coworkers doing effectively.
Reflecting On My Experience
Despite not knowing which career path I want to pursue, this experience helped me understand what working life is really like. I got a hands-on experience at Cuebiq, and I know I will be able to apply what I learned here at school and in my future career. Everyone I met was open-minded and friendly towards me and though I was only here for a short time as an intern, I can confidently say that Cuebiq is a fun and inclusive space. The world is so fast-paced and is changing so rapidly that Cuebiq’s positive mentality was refreshing.
Thanks to Cuebiq and its employees, my time here was a genuine opportunity for personal growth. I was able to improve my communication skills by having to present my ideas in a clear and concise manner. I learned about responsibility and teamwork. Needless to say, it was a fantastic first job opportunity and an experience I will never forget.
If you’re interested in learning more about Cuebiq and our company culture, be sure to check out our current job openings.
