#TeamTalk: Insights from Our Interns

For this edition of #TeamTalk, we’re chatting with our Drexel University Co-ops. What is the Drexel Co-op Program? It’s a 6-month internship for students to work full-time at partner companies to get real-world experiences at large and small companies across different industries. At the end of their time with us, they had the opportunity to present to different co-workers they’ve partnered with and our executive team, including CEO, Paul Ricci , Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Milone , and many more.

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We asked Mary Nitka , Shaina Banerjee , and Sotonye Sam-Epelle about their experiences with our team, along with various lessons learned throughout their 6 months with us. Take a look below for a behind-the-scenes view of #LifeatBestEgg as an intern.

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What was one of the most valuable things you've learned during your time at Best Egg?

Mary:? When joining Best Egg, I was very worried and scared to make mistakes. As my time went on it became apparent to me that the people around me understand that I am still learning. The most valuable lesson I learned is that it is okay to make mistakes, as long as you are open to criticism and making changes. It is important to have open communication with the people around you.

Shaina: The technical skills I picked up during my co-op, like Java and REST APIs, are one of the most valuable gains throughout my co-op experience. As a budding software developer, I got to work with enhanced and modern systems, which gave a glimpse into the way a tech team develops products and delivers. I also had the opportunity to be thoroughly involved in this process through these six months, as I contributed to the projects that my team was working on. I also learnt about numerous aspects of teamwork, communication being a key one.

Sotonye: The most valuable lesson I've learned at Best Egg is the importance of adaptability and proactive problem-solving in the professional world. Being in such a fast-evolving environment taught me to quickly adapt to new challenges and leverage my skills to find innovative solutions.

During your time here, what about the company culture stood out to you the most?

?Mary: When I attended the holiday party in person, it was made very obvious that the employees enjoy working with Best Egg, as well as working with each other. Most employee’s work remotely, but when everyone was in office for the event, co-workers greeted each other with big hugs and smiles.

Shaina: The sense of community at Best Egg has been striking to me since the very beginning. The company promotes a healthy working environment, by encouraging adequate socialization and relaxation. This also adds a human touch to the workplace. I'm quite an advocate for how Best Egg values you for your own individual strengths, and empowers you to grow. As a young professional in the industry, this is more than precious to me.

Sotonye: What stood out to me most about Best Egg's company culture is its collaborative spirit and commitment to continuous improvement. Despite digital interaction being predominant, the emphasis on team collaboration and open communication created a vibrant and supportive working environment.

What was your biggest challenge during your time with us and how did you handle overcoming it?

Mary: Working from home has its pros and cons, and for me, distractions are the biggest downside. It's just too easy to get caught up in household chores or other stuff when I should be focusing on work. Despite the flexibility and freedom of remote work, staying on track can be a real challenge. I'm always trying to strike a balance between the comforts of home and getting my work done efficiently.

Shaina: I happened to stumble upon the coder's block quite often. As a young developer, this can often be discouraging and can inflict self-doubt. I found it very helpful to reach out to my manager and my team. Being honest and open was the key for me, and I deeply appreciate the wonderful team I got to work with. I always had my team members rooting for me, and reinstating my self-confidence every time I would feel lost. I learnt that being stuck is an essential part of the learning process, and no good developer would ever get there without encountering countless coder's blocks. I've acquired a lot of patience and also developed the practice of tracing through the root cause of a problem to address issues. Overall, these challenges helped me grow over time and my supportive team helped me endure the difficult parts of the process.

Sotonye: Understanding the fintech industry's complexities and terminologies was a challenge. There were these intricate financial products and services and navigating through them was daunting. To overcome this, I dedicated myself to learning beyond my immediate responsibilities—completing online courses, seeking mentorship from seasoned colleagues, and engaging with cross-functional teams. This approach not only broadened my industry knowledge but also enriched my internship experience, allowing me to contribute more meaningfully to our projects.