Editor’s Note: If you have an intern you think deserves to be nominated for ITC’s Intern Pick of the Week, then email molly@inthecapital.com or DM her at @mollygreenberg.
Interns come and go, but if one stands out, then you make sure to hang on to them like your life depends on it. They are the diamonds in the rough, one of the most valuable members of your company. Though they may be looked at as temporary figures, their contribution to your business is one that cannot be replicated by any other college student, no matter how good their resume may appear. Here at ITC, we want to highlight the rarities, the interns you simply could not live without. Thus, we bring you ITC’s Intern Pick of the Week, Lauren O'Leary.
It has been a while since our last installment of Intern Pick of the Week, but it was brought back this Monday because we found someone truly deserving of the title, someone that has made a mark on a prosperously growing startup located in the heart of D.C. within a very short amount of time.
Lauren O'Leary may have just moved to D.C. a little over a month ago, but she has already settled in and proved her worth to one of the most innovative security ventures in the District. An alum of the College of Charleston with a Bachelor's in International Business and minor in Spanish, Lauren has uprooted herself from her home in Charleston, South Carolina to be a part of the magic that is the startup world, working for Gryphn as their master of all things communication related.
Though she lacks an official title (she admitted that she had no idea what to call herself), it's completely understandable due to her vast array of jobs as researcher, blogger, social media intern, and also a brand ambassador. While wearing numerous hats may seem intimidating to most, she remains on top of her duties, able to balance her work life, social life and everything in between.
Lauren's time management resourcefulness is definitely admirable, but it's her passion and uncanny ability to focus in an office known for being extremely distracting and rather chaotic at times that makes her such an impressive intern (I should know, I work right by her). Plus, she has two different colored eyes...that's pretty awesome too.
Trying to find her niche in a brand new foreign environment and gaining a feel for the startup world, we at ITC have determined Lauren O'Leary our newest Intern Pick of the Week.
When did you acquire your first internship?
This is actually my first internship. Before this I was working in the hospitality industry as a bartender.
What does your current internship entail?
I do a lot of research on mobile security, healthcare, texting and how ArmorText can help various industries. I write blogs for our website on the various issues I research and help manage our twitter accounts as well as other social media pages. I am currently gathering market research on how to better ArmorText and how it can be used by individuals as well as enterprises.
What's the coolest part of your internship?
The coolest thing about my internship is everything I am learning and the great team I get to work with. It is cool to get to be part of a startup and see the progression.
How did you find your internship?
I heard about the internship through my best friend from college who lives here in D.C. Laura has been trying to get me to move up here for four years! She introduced me to my CEO Navroop Mitter about three months ago. I interviewed with him and CMO Bobby Saini, they offered me an internship, and a month later I moved to DC!
What could you not live without at your internship? (tech, coffee, music, etc.)
I could not live without my laptop or Tracy (one of my co-workers)! She has been so helpful teaching me and being patient with me!
How do you think your internship will help you after graduation?
I already graduated from college, but I'm hoping that this internship leads to a career and helps me find out what it is I want as a career.
If you had to change one thing about how your university helped you with internships, what would it be?
My college didn't help me find my internship - my best friend did!
