I’m a critic at heart. I’ve changed schools five times in my life, but I only liked one of them. I’ve lived in four different countries, but I only enjoyed living in the one. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed my remote internship experience at Katrium. Below, I’ll explain why.
Remote Internship Experience at Katrium
At Katrium, interns can learn what it’s like to work in an office environment—the Katrium office is located in Tallinn, Estonia. Alternatively, they have the opportunity to gain remote internship experience. I chose to complete my internship from the comfort of my home.
Remote Work
I’ve heard many people dream of being freelancers and working remotely. This way, they aren’t tied to one place. They can work from their favorite soft chair near the fridge or even on the beach to the sound of the waves. However, I’ve also heard a lot of frustrated feedback about remote work, especially since the pandemic. It can be tough to focus when the family is arguing in the background over a mess in the kitchen, the cat is meowing like it’s never been fed, and you have a looming deadline. Finally, my internship at Katrium gave me the chance to experience remote work firsthand and discover for myself whether I enjoy it.
About Me
One way to understand a person’s character is by looking at their attitude towards work. During my time at Katrium, I learned a lot about myself. I realized that my desire to do every task perfectly could actually be a weakness. My perfectionism was holding me back from making progress and completing tasks. Through my remote internship experience, I learned how to strike a balance between “doing it perfectly” and simply “getting it done.”
Working with Others
When I first started working, I often got frustrated by my coworkers’ mistakes. But over time, I realized that despite my best efforts, I make mistakes too—and that’s okay. I’m only human. Allowing myself to make mistakes helped me become more accepting of others’ mistakes. I learned patience and how to better manage my thoughts and emotions. It was an important part of my remote internship experience.
Work-Rest balance
My first week at Katrium was very difficult for me. Although there was no pressure from my supervisors, I was pressured by the list of tasks. I would wake up, eat breakfast, and sit at my computer until evening. And even though I sat at work all day long, I still felt like I wasn’t doing enough. I noticed that I could spend over an hour on a simple task, zoning out and staring at the screen with no thoughts. My work was slowing down, and I had no time for my favorite activities or for spending time with my family.
Eventually, I decided to take control and allow myself to leave some tasks unresolved. Even though I was working from home, I decided to recreate office conditions: I would start work at 8 AM and finish at 4 PM, with no work after 4, even if I felt like continuing. This change finally allowed me to relax in the evenings, exercise, and spend time with my family. To my surprise, even though I was working fewer hours, I was getting much more done. I learned that while rest can sometimes feel like a waste of time, it actually helps you be more productive.
What’s It Like Working at Katrium?
During my student years, I had the opportunity to try various jobs. I realized that regardless of the job’s difficulty or specifics, one of the key factors that determine whether a workplace is enjoyable is the team. This had the strongest influence on my positive remote internship experience at Katrium. I never felt any negativity or pressure from the supervisors. The team consisted of colleagues from very different cultures, but this didn’t stop us from finding common ground. Somehow, there is a strong sense of respect, empathy, and understanding among the employees, even though we are scattered across different countries and have never met in person.
Why an Internship at Katrium might Not be For You?
Interning at Katrium might be challenging for someone who needs detailed instructions for every task. Those who are proactive will find it easier to adapt to this environment. However, whenever I had a question, even if it seemed silly and I was hesitant to ask, it was always answered calmly. If you’re not used to self-discipline, it can be difficult to work without someone constantly monitoring you and without clear boundaries. I had to improve my time management and organizational skills, even though I initially thought I was already good at them. But I believe that’s the purpose of internship: to push you out of your comfort zone, help you learn more about yourself, and teach you how to handle the challenges of the job.
What did I learn from the Remote Internship Experience?
Before the internship, I did not know the answers to the following questions. What is outsourcing? What is SEO optimization? How do companies blog? How does Google promote some sites and bury others? What steps should entrepreneurs not ignore to make their businesses successful? I could go on, but I’m afraid you’re tired of reading the questions. Instead of memorizing the answers, I learned them naturally in the process. Even 30 years from now, I’ll still be able to discuss these topics in conversation. The best way to learn is through practice.
Conclusion
Of course, there were some tough moments in my work, but they were interesting challenges, not traumatizing difficulties. Through this remote internship experience, I have grown as a person and realized a lot about myself and the job. That was my experience. Further, you can read about the experiences of other interns at Katrium. The decision is yours: to apply or not to apply—that is the question.
