In this “Intern Diaries” series, we’re sharing tips from current interns on how to succeed at work. We’ll show you all the ways you can stand out in your workplace, make your mark, and maybe even get a full-time offer!
Do you have an intern story? You can submit it here! You might be featured on the next Intern Diaries post!
If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about applying to Uber, going through the process of applying or accepting an Uber internship offer. I’m here to tell you that you can (and should) do it!
As a recent graduate, I myself jumped at the opportunity to explore a new city and become a part of something bigger than myself, and I don’t regret it. I didn’t know what to expect as I signed my final documents and committed to the Uber internship program, but somewhere along the way, I figured it out. Below you’ll find my top five keys to successfully completing an Uber internship.
1| GET OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE
One of the things that I made sure to do right away was to get involved in whatever I could, as early as I could. That also meant that I would have to get out of my comfort zone and not get caught up in my role or title. One of the amazing things about being an intern at Uber is that you’re able to do just about anything that you put your mind to. For example, I was able to tag along for photoshoots and general marketing projects because I embraced this idea.
2| EMBRACE YOUR UBER INTERNSHIP
You’ll soon find out that Uber is life. You’ll have Uber friends, you’ll go to Uber events, you’ll use UberEats and you’ll take Uber any and everywhere. You’ll also get a ton of Uber Apparel and Swag. During my time at the company, I even created a “Uber Everywhere” playlist. haha. It’s okay, do as many Uber-related things as you can (even if you don’t feel like it) because you never know where it may lead you!
3| MAKE UBER AND NON-UBER FRIENDS
I’m not talking about shallow acquaintances. In a big company, it’s easy to make connections, but it’s up to you to go that extra mile to really get to know the people you meet. Trust me, that’s easier said than done, especially if you’re like me, and you’re coming to San Francisco alone.
While this may seem daunting, it’s not impossible. The number one thing that helped me was branching out. I started setting up weekly Uber Intern Lunches, and inviting as many interns as I could. I set up weekend events and hung out with Uber interns outside of work as well.
Another tip is to join the San Francisco intern Facebook, Slack, and Groupme groups as well. Uber will always be life but remember you also have a life outside of Uber. It’s good to make friends at other companies around the Bay Area. Go to Bay area hackathons, activities, and fairs. You’ll soon learn that not everyone is a designer or an engineer, and that’s important.
4| EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES…EVEN UBER INTERNS
This is pretty cliché, but I silently recited this mantra when I was in a sticky situation.
- First things first, you’re interning at Uber, so you’ve got this!
- Second thing, take a deep breath.
- Third thing, it’s absolutely okay to make a few mistakes, because no one can ever truly be perfect.
5| GO OUT WITH A BANG!
The internship’s over so now what? You may want to sleep or pack, but don’t fall into that trap. It’s extremely important to try to enjoy the last couple of days with your new Uber family, spend more time in the city, and reflect on how you’ve grown as an individual.
Remember that you are not the same person that you were on day one at Uber. By this point, you’ll be a professional multi-tasker, so while you think about how much you’ve grown, be sure to also:
- Update your portfolio and resume. Plan ahead and start as early as you possibly can.
- Make LinkedIn connections. Make sure these are genuine connections, and not just to bolster your profile. If you’d don’t have a LinkedIn, create one immediately!
- Get advice. Set up a few final meetings to get more insight surrounding general career and life goals.
- Help plan or attend a final intern dinner/event. Get together with some of the other interns in your department or cohort and plan a final gathering. It’s an absolute must, you’ll see why!
Whether you’re applying to the Uber internship program or just getting started in your new role, good luck.
Remember, you got this! 🙂
Deja White
Production Design Intern | Summer ’17
POSTCARDS FROM UBER & SAN FRANCISCO
One of the largest events I planned was an intern outing to Logic’s SF Summer Concert. No joke, this outing almost didn’t happen, but glad it did. haha.
I walked alongside the Uber float during the SF Pride Parade!
Somehow we always found ourselves at some kind of baseball game, paying for expensive food. lol.
I took sooooo many Uber rides during the summer, but this was by far one of the coolest ones.
*This article was originally written in 2017 following the conclusion of my Uber Internship. The same rules above apply to all internships or early career experiences.
Have you used any of these tricks to help you stand out and make the best of your experience? Share your intern experiences here.
Featured Image by: Why Kei
WHAT’S NEXT?
Want to know exactly how I landed this sweet gig as an Uber intern, as a recent college grad, with no tech experience? Check out this article below!
