If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking about applying to Uber, going through the process of applying or accepting an offer from Uber. 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 Uber, but somewhere along the way I figured it out. Below you'll find my top five keys to success.
1. GET OUT THERE
One of the things that I made sure to do right away was get involved in whatever I could, and 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 UBER
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 take Uber any and everywhere. I can’t forget the Uber Apparel and Swag. 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 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. </p>
Another tip is to join 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
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 ponder 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.
- Get advice. Set up a few final meetings to get more insight about 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!
Good luck and remember, you got this! :)
Deja White
Production Design Intern | Summer ’17