Before starting my internship at SharpHeberg, I had a fairly “classic” idea of what a start-up could be. For me, a start-up meant above all a small team, a young spirit, a relaxed atmosphere, lots of multitasking, flexible working hours and, above all, an organization that wasn’t always very structured. I also expected everything to move very quickly, sometimes even in a rush.

What was confirmed:

Versatility and autonomy:

I found that I was expected to be very versatile. As an intern, I didn’t have a single repetitive task. I was able to touch on a whole range of aspects: copywriting, graphic design, social networking, videos, etc.

Advantage: I learned a lot in a short space of time.

Limitation: you need to be well organized to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

 

Direct communication:

There was no heavy-handed hierarchy: I could speak directly with the manager, suggest ideas and ask questions freely.

Advantage: I felt listened to and useful.

Limitation: sometimes, the lack of a clear structure can create confusion about priorities.

 

Relaxed but effective atmosphere:

The working atmosphere was relaxed, without excessive pressure, but expectations were real. We had to deliver quality work within reasonable deadlines.

Advantage: a motivating environment, without constant stress.

Limitation: you have to learn self-discipline so as not to slack off.

 

I used to think that in a start-up, everything was a bit improvised. But on the contrary, I discovered a real organization, with clear methods and good coordination. This helped me understand that flexibility doesn’t mean the absence of structure, but rather the ability to adapt quickly while maintaining an efficient working method.

 

I was expecting to see mainly free tools. In reality, the team was using professional tools such as WordPress with WPML, Canva Pro and analysis tools, and exploiting them rigorously. This made me realize that, even in a small structure, mastering the right tools makes all the difference in terms of quality and productivity.

 

Advantages of the practices observed

Great creative freedom: I was allowed to put forward my ideas and test formats.

Fast, varied learning: I never did the same thing for several days in a row.

 

Limitations of observed practices

Little formal training time: I had to learn a lot “on the job”.

Lack of detailed feedback at times: we move fast, so we don’t take much time to analyze in depth what went right/wrong.