From Intern to Insider

How an MBA Internship Became a Crash Course in Corporate Life and Friendship

In March, the beginning felt like just another checkbox on my MBA journey—"Start internship: check." 

But I couldn’t have anticipated that those six months would become a profound crash course in not only corporate culture but also in the intricacies of collaboration, communication, and friendship.

When I joined the company, there were only two of us MBA interns—me and a batchmate from my college. It was a quiet start. The office space was unfamiliar, the systems were new, and the silent hum of professionalism echoed through each floor. Within a month, a team from another college joined us in the digital marketing wing. They were here for just 2.5 months, contributing in areas like video editing, concept writing, and data analysis. They brought a new energy and new ideas. Conversations about AI, trends in digital branding, and creative concepts became part of our daily rhythm.

From Silence to Shared Pizza  

What began as nods in the hallway slowly transformed into real connection. It started small, sharing greetings, then joking during lunch breaks, and eventually spilling over into late-evening pizza sessions at the office. We would sit on couches or desk edges, talking about everything from work behaviors and office culture to why people respond the way they do, or how subtle etiquette can shift dynamics.

MBA in Action—For Real This Time  

Our MBA lessons weren’t just textbooks anymore. We were now living the concepts. Whether it was stakeholder communication, time management, or organizational behavior, we were drawing parallels between the classroom and real-life application. One topic led to another, and soon we found ourselves reflecting on how our respective colleges approached internships. My internship was six months long, and I had to share weekly reports every Sunday. In contrast, their stint was shorter with a single consolidated report at the end.

This difference sparked debates about accountability, feedback, and institutional engagement. Our college’s active check-ins with the company created a more structured support system, while theirs offered freedom and independence. Both had pros and cons, but discussing them brought insight that no case study ever did.

When Colleagues Become Friends  

There’s a moment when you realize that your teammates have silently become something more: friends. It was never forced. We bonded over brainstorming sessions, weekend reflections, and even the unglamorous moments of staying late for revisions. We learned how to encourage, challenge, and even pull each other up when motivation dipped.

That’s when I truly understood what corporate readiness meant. It wasn’t just about understanding KPIs and crafting pitch decks—it was about navigating relationships, reading the room, and building trust in small, consistent ways.

Back to Campus, Forever Changed  

When their internship ended and they left, the space felt quieter again. But something had shifted not just in the office, but in us. 

We returned to our MBA programs not as students who had completed an internship but as individuals who had grown through one. We had built relationships that transcended timelines and colleges. The internship had given us something beyond deliverables. It had shaped our mindset.

How a Daily Ola Ride Turned into Something More Personal

How a Daily Ola Ride Turned into Something More Personal

Every morning, my office routine begins with a bit of a race not on the road, but on my phone screen. Like many in the 9:30 AM crowd, I start booking my ride between 9:10 and 9:15. During peak hours, it isn’t just about timing it’s a competition. Whether it’s Uber, Ola, or Rapido, each platform comes with its quirks. Rapido is a different ride altogether. Uber is often cheaper, but more than once, I’ve waited close to an hour because drivers don’t accept low-fare bookings.

And then, there was Ola and more specifically, Mohit Bhaiya.

Over the last 7 days, something quietly remarkable began happening. Each morning, at the same time, the same Ola bike showed up. Not just any driver, but Mohit Bhaiya someone who had only picked up my ride once or twice before in earlier weeks. Suddenly, like clockwork, I’d step out of my PG at 9:17, and there he’d be same smile, same helmet, same bike.

No words were really needed. He’d hand me the helmet, we’d ride without any small talk, and I’d thank him at the end. The fare would vary by a rupee or two, but the rhythm of it all? Consistent. Comfortable. Easy.

It felt like the kind of reliability people talk about in brand stories but this wasn’t marketing. This was real. I later learned that my short office ride works well for him too. It keeps fuel usage low and, thanks to repeated 5-star ratings, comes with a small incentive. A quiet win-win for both of us.

This isn't about loyalty points or discounts. It’s about the kind of trust you build when something works effortlessly every day. So now, I don’t toggle between apps anymore. I don’t debate Uber or Rapido or wonder who will show up. For me, it’s simple:

It’s Ola. With Mohit Bhaiya.

Gratitude. Growth. Grit. Gurgaon.

13 Weeks at AffableTech.ai: From Strategy Intern to Growth-Enabler

When I first joined AffableTech.ai as a Strategy & Growth Executive Intern, I had a simple goal: learn fast, execute faster. What followed was a 13-week deep dive into the fast-paced world of SaaS, digital marketing, CRM rollouts, and international outreach.

This internship wasn’t just an assignment. It was a strategic playground—where experimentation was encouraged, growth was inevitable, and learning came through real, tangible results.

A Week-by-Week Chronicle of Learning

Over the span of three months (March to May 2025), every week brought new challenges and new contexts. Some days were about optimizing CRM pipelines; others were spent crafting pitch decks, drafting SEO blogs, or supporting cross-continental outreach. Here’s how the weeks unfolded:

• Week 2: Deep-dive into ClickUp project management systems and use-case building

• Week 5: Learning the art of content marketing—reels, blogs, scripts, and brand messaging

• Week 7: International lead generation via Apollo and LinkedIn, with market segmentation

• Week 10+: Internal strategy alignment, pitch preparation, demo content refinement

• Week 13: Final campaign delivery, social media optimization, and performance review

Work Across the Board

The scope of work was wide—and so was the learning curve. Here are just a few of the key assignments I took on:

• Global outreach for ClickUp CRM and SaaS demo rollouts

• SEO blog writing across domains like GenAI, Web Dev, AR/VR, and social media trends

• B2B prospecting via LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Apollo.io for the UAE, EU, U.S., and Singapore

• Competitive benchmarking between platforms like ClickUp, Jira, Monday.com, and DevOps stacks

• Social campaign ideation and execution—from influencer scripts to Instagram reels and carousels

• Website proofreading and on-page SEO enhancement for company blogs and landing pages

• Handling email merges, client onboarding scripts, and MoMs during internal and external meetings

Key Results & Tangible Outcomes

I learned to measure outcomes, not just effort. Some highlights include:

• 10+ SEO blogs published across 8 industry verticals

• 8000+ leads filtered, and 1000+ cold emails sent globally

• 6 client meetings contributed via outreach and nurturing

• 5 Instagram video assets completed and published

• 2 ClickUp client demos supported through research and content creation

SMART Goals and MBOs

With structured guidance, my goals stayed focused, measurable, and adaptive. A few that defined the internship:

• Convert outbound efforts into qualified leads and meetings by Week 6

• Finalize and publish two blog pieces per week, with iterative feedback

• Increase LinkedIn SSI score and optimize the professional profile

• Boost Instagram engagement by at least 20% through creative testing

• Identify 3 potential B2B industries per target region for CRM product-market fit

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Projects I’m Proud Of

Each project taught something new—be it customer understanding, design sensibility, or product positioning. Some notable ones:

• ClickUp CRM Implementation: Created demo decks, onboarding flows, and training plans

• ClickUp Brain AI Launch: Supported launch strategy through research and narrative building

• XR/VR Strategy for Urban Gym Group (EU): Developed campaign direction and GTM structure

• Decathlon & Serum Institute Pilots: Identified decision-makers, scripted outreach

• HOSH Supplements Strategy: Worked on blogs, digital presence, and funnel ideation

• Gamification for Fitness: Drafted concept scripts and visual storytelling for a tech pitch

Skillset That Got Sharpened

This internship wasn’t about learning in theory—it was about applying in practice. Here’s what I came away with:

• Lead Generation & Email Automation: Tools like Hunter.io and Apollo

• Copywriting & SEO Blogging: For both technical and lifestyle brands

• CRM Systems (ClickUp): Client training, dashboard building, and use-case scripting

• Pitch Deck Development: Visual storytelling and strategic framing

• LinkedIn Optimization: Profile refinement and smart outreach

• Influencer Strategy: Scripting, coordination, and brand integration

• Meeting Coordination: MoM drafting and CRM logging

• Design & QA: Canva usage, social caption crafting, and post scheduling

• Market Research: Tools, pricing, buyer personas, and competitor analysis

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Between digital, product, and leadership teams

A Word of Thanks

No meaningful journey is a solo effort. I’m deeply thankful to the entire AffableTech.ai team—especially Chandra Sir and Sankalp Sir—for their mentorship, consistent feedback, and trust in letting interns take ownership.

Equally grateful to Indus Business Academy, Bengaluru, for facilitating such a practical and high-impact internship environment.

Looking Ahead

This internship not only strengthened my understanding of digital strategy and CRM implementation but also showed me the power of fast, focused execution. I’m now more confident in my ability to lead strategic initiatives, manage end-to-end campaigns, and contribute meaningfully to high-growth startups.

Weekend Escapes That Recharge Your Mind: How Short Trips Can Boost Productivity, Motivation & Work-Life Balance

Ye sab trip ni, top-up hai productivity ka.

While cities like NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Pune were struggling with floods, I had just returned from the UK and still managed to take off again — this time, for a short Saturday-to-Monday morning escape to Uttarakhand.

And let me tell you, this wasn’t just a trip.

It was a reset button I didn’t know I needed.

Naya lagta hai Monday

There’s something special about heading into the new week after a short, peaceful break.

Whether or not you're physically away from the office mentally you feel lighter.

Low temperature destinations = Low tension zone.

Cool weather calms your mind. That’s science and soul talking.

And when it comes to people?

I didn’t go with strangers or new friends.

I went with office colleagues — and yet, for once, we weren’t joking about deadlines, meetings, or workplace drama.

We simply enjoyed being human together.

“Kab jaoge yaar?”

That’s the real question.

We all wait for the right time, perfect plan, or ideal group.

But honestly, weekend trip banani nahi padti — bas chalu karni padti hai.

We made the plan.

We packed light.

We left.

And now, we're back — recharged, smiling, and surprisingly more focused.

Back to Internship. Back with Better Energy.

As someone still learning the ropes through my internship journey, I know these next few months are crucial.

They demand focus, output, creativity — and most importantly, consistency.

And these quick escapes?

They’re not distractions.

They’re support systems.

Call it a backup battery or a mental top-up — even after physical exhaustion, the mind feels powered up again.

If you're reading this and wondering whether you should take a short break or wait longer…

Don’t wait for burnout.

Take that trip.

Take that pause.

Return with perspective.

Because kaam toh hamesha rahega — par kaam karne ka josh nahi.

In the Quiet, I Found Him — the Journey Within

 

“Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahi.”

This dialogue from Anand always stuck with me. Life isn’t about years we live, but how deeply we feel and grow through it.

Back in January, standing silently by the ghats of Banaras, I wasn’t seeking answers—I was seeking stillness. That moment taught me that God—Bhagwan—doesn’t always live in temples. Sometimes, He lives in our silence, our confusion, our resilience.

When I returned to Indore, life wasn’t slow anymore. It was about chasing dreams, filling forms, preparing for exams, entering a new postgrad journey. Everything was fast, but somewhere in the rush, main khud se mil raha tha.

Bangalore became a new chapter. I didn’t know the roads, but I began to know myself better. New friends, long nights, missed birthdays, and silent Diwalis—par har ek lamha mujhe kuch sikhata gaya. In this city, even loneliness had a way of teaching love.

But one thing stayed constant—faith. Bhagwan sab jagah hain, in the success I craved, in the failure I feared, in the family I missed. In the courage to start over. In the peace I felt while sipping chai with my thoughts.

I didn’t win every competition. I didn’t top every exam. But I grew. I evolved. I helped others. 

I made memories. I felt every high and every low like a complete emotion. And isn’t that what living is?

Festivals like Diwali reminded me of Ram ji’s journey—full of loss, patience, and then return. It felt like mine too. Main bhi wapas aaya, khud ke paas. Recharged. Hopeful. Still not perfect, but definitely more whole.

In the end, Bhagwan doesn’t need rituals. He needs moments. Moments where we pause. Feel. Heal. And keep going.

So here’s my truth:

I may not always shine in numbers, but I shine in meaning.

I may not know every path, but I trust the light I carry.

And most of all, mujhe yakeen hai ki main apne raaste par hoon—aur Bhagwan mere saath hain.

"Man is made by his belief. As he believes, so he is." 

Embracing Simplicity

Hey 2025... Cherish Roots, Regain Strength!

2024 was a year of change.  It began in Banaras, where I found peace walking alone through the sacred streets.  

The quiet there helped me hear my own thoughts. 

Back in Indore, I focused on preparing for an important exam and a two-year degree.  

Changing my career path wasn't just about studies, it was stepping into the unknown.  

Spending time with family and friends gave me strength, reminding me of the joy in shared moments. 

As time passed, I moved to Bangalore.  It was a new city, far from home, but full of possibilities.  

I met new people who quickly became close, bringing warmth and hope.  

But life had its challenges.  

There were times of doubt and loneliness, teaching me resilience. 

Academics became a central part of my life.  Even though I achieved a lot, I felt I could do more.  

I learned that growth comes from striving for better, even when things seem good. 

Facing expectations and opinions was tough.  

Celebrating birthdays and milestones alone was hard, but the care from new friends helped.  

Returning home for Diwali brought comfort and renewed strength. 

Coming back, I found new purpose.  

Participating in a competitive event for the first time, I discovered confidence I thought I'd lost.  

It reminded me of my potential and inner strength. 

"In the quiet of Banaras, I found my thoughts.

In the bustle of Bangalore, I found my strength."

This journey taught me to cherish my roots and regain strength.  As I step into 2025, I carry these lessons with me. 

The Silence Between Departures and Beginnings

 

“Kuch raaste, tanha hi sahi, magar apne hote hain.”

(Some paths, though walked alone, still feel like your own.)

There comes a moment when the road you once called familiar disappears behind you and all that remains is the faint echo of what used to be. A new city rises before you, not quite home, not quite foreign. Somewhere in between, it becomes a mirror. Not of the past but of the self you are becoming.

The wind here speaks in unfamiliar tones, carrying with it the hushed murmurs of yesterday. Yet I walk deliberately, silently into a future not yet shaped, guided only by the quiet courage of letting go.

The Architecture of Reinvention

Work fills the hours now strategy decks, shifting metrics, the pulse of ambition. There's a strange solace in this structure. In the spreadsheets, in the late-night slides, in the goals set for quarters to come. I am no longer waiting for the past to call me back. I am learning to be present without reaching for what slipped away.

The streets are colder. The names are new. The laughter, once shared so effortlessly, now echoes only in memory. And yet, in this stillness, in the unfamiliarity, I find a fragile sort of peace.

Of Ghosts and Goodbyes

Solitude doesn’t announce itself. It arrives quietly after a long day, under dim streetlights, through a song that reminds you of a time when everything felt whole. And with it come memories you believed had been buried for good. A look. A conversation left unfinished. A meal once shared.

There was warmth once. Real, tangible warmth in glances that spoke volumes, in silences that understood. But time does not always move with kindness. It erodes even the strongest of ties, until what remains is more echo than presence.

And so I let go. Not in anger, not in denial but with grace. With the understanding that some endings do not seek closure, only acceptance.

Becoming, Again

In the unraveling, I found a quieter version of myself. Less certain. More real.

Yes, I have changed. How could I not?

But I’m still here. Still choosing to wake up. Still choosing to walk forward.

This time, not for the nostalgia.

Not for the what-ifs or almosts.

This time, I walk for me.

Toward something that may not yet have a name.

But perhaps, for the first time, it belongs entirely to me.