Allow me to introduce myself: my name is Tessa, and I am entering my third year at McGill, where I am pursuing a dual degree in Economics and Psychology. My journey into the realms of startups and entrepreneurship, coupled with my fascination for the convergence of human behaviour and technology, led me to apply for the summer internship opportunity with Neufast. With an innate passion for entrepreneurship, I was eager to immerse myself in the intricate world of startups, learn about the nuances of foundership, and gain insights into the process of transforming ideas into viable businesses—a dream I aspire to realize in the future. My objective was clear: to enhance my fluency in startup dynamics and forge meaningful connections with mentors and supervisors, thereby expanding my network and refining my understanding of the business landscape.
Neufast Pte Ltd. is an AI-powered interview assessment startup which uses machine learning models to de-bias candidate videos and predict work performance, streamlining the hiring interviews to an all-online process. As a sales and marketing intern, I assumed a central role in promoting and selling our services. My tenure leading sales efforts and event management during the HR Tech Festival in Singapore was a pivotal highlight. At the festival, I orchestrated engaging interactions with potential clients and partners at our vibrant exhibition booth, a space where connections were forged, and possibilities were explored. As a result, I am currently furthering our company's growth by onboarding two major multinational corporations after meeting with representatives at the exhibition. In addition to this, I actively participated in various essential business development initiatives. My involvement spanned diverse areas, including conducting insightful market research, contributing to the creation of compelling investment materials, and providing integral support during closed-door investment discussions as part of SOSV's Orbit Roadshow in Thailand. As part of my digital marketing efforts, I leveraged my creativity to develop captivating product demo videos that showcased the functionality and capabilities of the platform across various client use cases. Overall, my internship involved a wide range of responsibilities that significantly contributed to enhancing Neufast's market reach and professional image.
The most memorable part of my internship was its culmination. It felt incredibly rewarding to receive recognition and praise from my supervisors, confirming that my hard work and commitment had truly paid off. Another standout moment for me revolved around my involvement in investment-focused events. These occasions presented unique opportunities for me to connect with seasoned professionals, including CEOs at the helm of their own enterprises. Engaging with such accomplished individuals proved incredibly inspiring, as their insights and guidance were both valuable and insightful. These encounters have fueled my aspirations to follow in their footsteps and eventually embark on my own entrepreneurial journey. Alongside these achievements, however, challenges were an integral part of my journey. One particularly daunting challenge I faced involved conducting and leading private client and investor presentations. Struggling with imposter syndrome, I had to confront my fear of public speaking to convincingly represent our company to potential clients/investors. I tackled this hurdle head-on by dedicating hours to practice and honing my skills in effective storytelling. Ultimately, I triumphed by successfully onboarding a significant client onto our sales pipeline.
Although my internship did not earn me academic credits, its impact on my personal growth has been substantial. Throughout this experience, I've delved into an array of statistical techniques, gaining familiarity with concepts such as F1 ML model accuracy and Pearson's correlation. Notably, I've extended my proficiency in leveraging statistical software, including SQL and the R language, to validate the robustness and reliability of results. Although my psychology coursework initially introduced me to these tools, my internship has allowed me to substantially broaden my practical understanding and application of them. Furthermore, I've developed greater confidence in delivering presentations and have refined my communication and interpersonal abilities, allowing me to forge meaningful connections with peers, mentors, and professors.
As I conclude, I would like to extend my honest gratitude to the donor who provided me with this invaluable opportunity. The funding I received enabled me to participate in crucial trade shows and investor meetings in both Thailand and Singapore by covering associated expenses. Without this financial support, I would not have had the chance to engage in pivotal closed-door sessions that significantly accelerated my understanding of business operations and investment dynamics within the startup ecosystem.
