Top 3 Take-Aways as a PiggyBackr Intern

I have always valued experience above all else when it comes to looking for summer internships - an internship is the only place where you can actually apply the knowledge and skills you learn in the classroom and transform those skills into a tangible deliverable.

Working at PiggyBackr has allowed me to explore many different fields in business operations - but my top three take-aways go beyond any technical knowledge I’ve acquired. These takeaways are skills applicable to life.

PiggyBackr's Office in San Francisco

1. Self Learning: Working at a startup means there will be execution-oriented generalists who don’t necessarily specialize in a specific field, but are able to deliver a wide variety of tasks. Everyday is a learning process for me because I am exposed to a multitude of tasks. This means I am challenging myself to learn new skills. Sometimes that means doing more research, but other times it means interacting and brainstorming with co-workers. Whatever the task may be, proactivity and self-reliance are necessary skills needed to stay ahead of the game. 

   
   
   

   Don’t expect to know the answers to everything - learning comes from a willingness to listen and absorb other people’s ideas and thoughts.

2. The Importance of Fundraising Online: I’m coming to truly understand the power of crowdfunding and how it is revolutionizing fundraising for all age groups alike. More than ever before, fundraisers are learning to leverage technology and social media to maximize their outreach. In comparison to crowdfunding, traditional fundraisers, like candy bar or gift wrap sales seem hackneyed and limited in scope. The margins are lower, and the time commitment is often less forgiving. Crowdfunding, on the other hand, teaches young adults like me how to incorporate technology into a greater cause, while also reaching a larger audience. You learn money management skills and the importance of relationship building – vital 21st century skills!

   
   
3. Remember the numbers: How do we know what works and what doesn’t? Measuring all our tasks brings our direction into focus. Our operations, processes, and strategies are based on what the numbers tell us. Whether it’s the number of emails, users, or Facebook likes, there must always be a way to weigh your results, so you know how you’re doing and how you can improve.

PiggyBackr is a great fundraising website for kids, and their ability to understand young adults so well is truly why I learned a breadth of knowledge this summer.

About Alicia Li

Alicia Li is a sophomore at UC Berkeley interested in consulting and product management. She is currently researching how consumer elective pricing affects consumer decision making at the Haas School of Business. Interning at PiggyBackr has allowed her to understand the power of technology to inspire and empower youth, and she plans to align this mission with her future goals. Her hobbies include hiking, traveling, discovering new music, and trying new foods.