Lizzy Merrall is at Durham University studying Politics and Philosophy in the UK. She spent two months interning for a Series A tech startup in Queensland, Australia on Start Me Up’s Startup Internship Program.
I decided to apply for the Start Me Up program because I wanted to experience what it was like to work for a startup while living in Australia.
During my internship, I worked with a Queensland-based tech startup that developed a messenger app to improve communication between separated parents.
The app flagged when a message uses inflammatory language, and delays the sending of messages so users have time to revise the message. The length of delay depends on the perceived hurtfulness of the message.
Because my startup was relatively small (when I first joined we were a team of three), I was able to work on an incredibly wide variety of tasks.
Although I don’t come from a tech background, I was given the opportunity to edit the company website and learn some CSS. I also learned how to use Adobe Photoshop during my internship.
My internship also involved carrying out competitor analysis and general market-research, which was really fitting given my interest in finance.
I felt that my work had a tangible impact and that I really got to know the people on my team as well as other startups in the co-working space.
Outside of working hours, I attended exclusive networking events across the city through the program and met very interesting professionals.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience on this program and was especially fortunate to have received a job offer from my startup after my 2-month internship.
I’m really glad that I can still be a part of their team and work for them remotely from the UK – despite the difficulties of time difference.
If you want an insight into the unique career path the startup world offers or want to experience living abroad, I really believe that this program will help you achieve that.