Current Sophomore Samuel Goldberg shared the following with us about the internship at Upside Foods.
Name of Organization: UPSIDE Foods
Your Title: University Recruiting Intern
- What did you do as an intern at this organization?
In my role as University Recruiting Intern at UPSIDE Foods I formulated a strategy for how UPSIDE moving forward should approach university recruiting and outreach and began building connections to academic institutions and related groups around the US. I was able to work cross-functionally with many teams from communications to technical operations to shape my understanding of our current workforce and company needs. My work focused on building out programs and partnerships to both increase and diversify pipelines from universities to the Cellular Agriculture industry. I worked primarily with the Director of Talent Acquisition and a Talent Sourcer and as the capstone of my internship, I had the opportunity to pitch my strategy to an executive leader at the company for approval.
- How did you find this internship?
I learned about Cellular Agriculture back in high school and as one of the leaders in the space, I knew I wanted an internship at UPSIDE Foods. When internship application season rolled around for Summer 2023, I found the job listing for University Recruiting Intern on the company website. I believed my skills matched those listed on the job description so with the help of the career center I applied!
- What did you enjoy most about your internship?
One of the most enjoyable parts about my internship was having the opportunity to do work that made an impact on the company. Being able to pursue a project that would fulfill a company need was extremely rewarding. Something that also surprised me was how much ownership I was given over my project and how highly valued my work was at the company. I was able to pursue tangents that led to some of the greatest discoveries and “ah ha” moments, which were welcomed and celebrated. People from across all functions and all levels of the company were excited and interested in the work of all the interns (there were 15 interns in my cohort) which revealed the open-minded, curious and passionate culture of the company.
- What did you find most challenging?
The most challenging part of my internship was adjusting from academia to industry and being exposed to the startup environment for the first time. This was definitely a steep learning curve of understanding the way a company like this functioned in regard to my workflow and communications. Another learning curve was also gaining confidence in my work and taking myself seriously as a professional. I think when you are the youngest and least experienced person it is easy to second guess yourself, but it is important to understand the quality of your own work and that you are there for a reason.
5. Did you learn anything this summer that will add to your knowledge of what you might do for a major or future work-wise?
Some of the most valuable lessons I took away from this summer were learning advocacy and interpersonal skills. While I could list my projects and the technical skills and information I learned, some of the most impactful lessons have been clear and professional communication, self-advocacy and representing my work. These skills I will take with me in all aspects of my academic and professional life.
6. What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
My first piece of advice would be to be open to new experiences!! Before starting my internship, I had very little direct knowledge or interest in recruiting and strategy. However, I was able to learn so much and really enjoyed my work.
Also, another piece of advice, strive to have confidence in yourself and take pride in your work. You have been selected to be an intern for a reason, and your contributions are valuable and important. Simultaneously, while having confidence is important, it is important to ask for help when you need it and ask questions. Everyone in the company is constantly learning and growing so there is no shame in asking for help.
UPSIDE Foods is a Cellar Agriculture company that aims to create cell-cultured meat made directly from animal cells as opposed to raising and slaughtering animals. In doing so, the company aims to address some of the most pressing environmental, animal welfare, and public health challenges, while still giving people the meat they love.
