https://www.ginkgobioworks.com/careers/early-talent

Ginkgo Bioworks

Data Engineering

June - August 2019 • Boston, MA

What I liked

I was continually surprised by how many people in the ~300 person company I would interact with as "just an intern." Nobody was unapproachable, and team leads who had been there for years would schedule meetings to answer my questions. The working environment struck an excellent balance between pushing my capabilities and being understanding that I was in fact a first time intern.

What I wish was different

It was a little unfocused at times, but that's likely because their formal internship program was/is brand new. It improved dramatically in the 8 weeks I was there. Virtually all of my largest concerns I was encouraged to voice, and all I brought up with my team lead were at bare minimum acknowledged.

Advice

Not to sound like a condescending confidence poster, but aim upwards. Sure, you feel like you're not the smartest person in the room sometimes, but you can still try to do what you weren't sure you were capable of yesterday. People will automatically assume you're "smart enough" because you're already there. What will impress people is you getting better as they're watching. Also, everyone loves being treated like they're a full time employee, but remember that you are an intern at the end of the day. This is ultimately supposed to be a learning experience for your benefit. You are being paid for your work, yes. But if a you feel like a company isn't accommodating the fact that you're here to learn and fail at some stuff, that is a valid reason to be concerned and doesn't reflect well on the company. And finally, having a prestigious company on your resume is pretty great, but it doesn't it doesn't hold a candle to working somewhere where you feel valued and respected. Remember that.
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Build team intern

May - August 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

Coworkers, project and process development

What I wish was different

Na

Advice

Experience and knowledge are important to achieve
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