If you would have asked me one week ago what came to mind when I heard the word “office”, I would have responded without skipping a beat: cubicles, clammy, and claustrophobic. I pictured employees trapped in a workspace no bigger than a matchbox. Bosses in Yves Saint Laurent suits roaming the office floor like a lion in the Sahara waiting to pounce on its prey that failed to meet a deadline. Interns running from the computer to the printer three stories up, all the while juggling six Venti Americanos with three pumps hazelnut sweeter and an inch of soymilk in one hand. It goes without saying that I was very nervous for my first day of work.
On Monday, with breath held and tensions high, I opened the doors of RadiusOnline. Immediately, my preconceived notions were shattered. I was greeted with a warm smile and then was taken on a tour to meet the rest of the team. To my surprise, the office was completely open, no cubicles or doors. Some members the of staff were sharing ideas on bright orange bean bags and others were coding new material for the launch of RadiusOnline’s newest app for mobile phones. Every aspect of this business exuded innovation and energy.
After meeting everyone I would be working alongside with for the next three months, I was led to my new workstation. I almost thought it was some sort of mistake when I was placed at a desk near my boss. Wasn’t an intern supposed to be out of sight until someone needed a top off of his or her chai tea latte?
What I have come to find out this first week is that RadiusOnline breaks rules the stereotypical corporate world has laid out. The individuals here are not bound by some sort of social ladder or task list. Risk is not feared, but taken on enthusiastically. Without breaking boundaries, growth will never be achieved. This is the mantra that this company lives by.
Vu, the creator of the company, invited me to attend a meeting with NAPA to meet the President and Vice President of the business on my second day of work. I even got to star in a promotional video for their new app called WebSoCast! I have already experienced more from RadiusOnline in the first week than I ever fathomed I would in the entire summer! This is because Vu and his team see potential in people before they even see it themselves.
I am thankful RadiusOnline saw something special in me. I cannot wait to see where this summer takes me!
Sincerely,
Online Marketing Intern