Intern: Camilla Di Nardo
Since I got hired at CUE, I knew that for me, this would have been more than an internship. For most of my life, my “job” was being a student, and I was very confident in this role. No matter how many fields I changed or even how many countries I was hoping to move to, I’ve always been sure of my capabilities as a student.
This internship was the first time I moved on from my student role full-time. I was very scared: I was afraid that I was “too academic” to be a good asset for the company and that my insecurities and inexperience would be an impediment to my team.
After three weeks into this experience, I can say that my perception has shifted. My first days at CUE have been intense, full of new skills to learn and tasks to complete, but in between these moments, I managed to grasp some important things that I already know I’ll take with me. Since I’m a student at heart and habits die hard, I grouped them into four important lessons.
Lesson 1: There is no such thing as a “perfect worker” – you never stop learning
I used to think that in my school years, I was supposed to study everything that there was to learn, so that once I started working, I wouldn’t make any mistakes. In my mind, jobs were like exams, something for which you had to prepare beforehand. At CUE, I discovered that my academic background didn’t provide me with everything I needed to be a “perfect worker”, and it was okay.
Being unprepared is exciting because it means that you have tons of possibilities in front of you. I’ve always been afraid to be “the stupidest in the room”, while at CUE, I am happy to not know everything. My team taught me so many things: Xixi and Raeanne accompanied us in understanding how to move in the impact business field, how to express confidence in our project, and to be professionals; my fellow interns are a continuous example to me of what good work looks like. Learning is an ongoing process, nourished by everyone you meet.
IMAGE: Working from the library during one of the (few) sunny days in Utrecht
Lesson 2: I am inexperienced, but I have ideas and talents to bring to the table
Before starting, I didn’t really know how I could be helpful to CUE: of course, I am a Gender Studies MA student, but there’s a lot of difference between studying concepts and applying them. I perceived my inexperience as an obstacle, while it is actually a resource. Every day, I feel that I bring to CUE the fresh perspective of somebody who wants to learn and explore.
It was exciting to discover that my creativity could be valued. One of my tasks at CUE is to work on the visual components of the Consent Lab, one of our digital tools to support and accompany learners through the challenges of dating life. During one feedback session Xixi and Raeanne invited me to be as creative as I could and not limit myself in the development of the storyboards. It was exciting to see my creative drive not only being appreciated but also encouraged.
Lesson 3: Real teamwork goes beyond an entry on your CV
“Good teamwork” sounds super well in a CV, but how does it actually work? It was something I was asking myself before this experience. Working side by side with Federica and Lena, my fellow interns, has been one of the highlights of these first weeks. Thanks to them, I learned that teamwork means meeting in the middle, each one with their own strengths and weaknesses.
We meet almost every day to work together at the library. On these occasions, I experience in real life how a good team thrives when each one brings something different to the table. Lena has been central in guiding us through the Dutch sex education context and in showing us how we could help CUE become an important player in the arena, while Federica’s experience as a sex educator has helped us in understanding how we can better enhance our products in front of people. My creativity and proactivity in finding solutions have also helped the team grow.
IMAGE: Coffee break with Federica
Lesson 4: Take small steps – no one “changes the world” in a day
Among the many reasons that made me choose the social sciences at nineteen years old, there was a childhood desire: “making a difference”. I didn’t really know what it meant, but I wanted to do something useful that could make the world a better place.
Twenty-four-year-old me still doesn’t know what “making a difference” actually is. Certainly, the International Relations field in the 2020s isn’t exactly an optimistic space, so going to Gender Studies and CUE, I narrowed my expectations, aiming at “simply” doing something good.
Working at an impact business has helped me gain more clarity on this: at CUE, I actually feel like I’m making a difference, but not in an extreme and clamorous way like I was naively dreaming. Every day, I am taking small steps to draft a product that will positively impact people’s lives. I’ve learned that to do something impactful, you don’t need to change the world in a day, but simply do your best every day. I am a small person in a big project, and it’s okay. CUE is teaching me that doing my part is enough.
These first three weeks were challenging, tiring and exciting all at the same time. In such a short time, I already feel that I’ve learned more than I could have imagined. I’m looking forward to seeing what else CUE is gonna teach me.
