At my internship at Carvago, I work on really cool projects using AI (artificial intelligence). One of my main jobs is to build AI agents that can help the company with different tasks, like scoring used car listings. These projects are big and my boss gives me a deadline to finish each section by. So, I have to manage my time well to make sure I get everything done on time so the complete project can be completed. The first thing I always do is write down everything the project needs. Then, I break the big project into smaller parts, kind of like steps in a recipe. This makes it easier to focus and keeps me from feeling too stressed.
Carvago uses an app called Slack to talk to each other. I use it to ask my boss questions, share updates, and get feedback. This helps me understand what I should focus on first. Sometimes, if something becomes more urgent, I can quickly change my plan and work on that first. It’s nice knowing I can get help fast, and it keeps me moving forward without getting stuck.
One project I worked on was about training an AI agent to understand and judge used cars. I had to collect data, teach the AI how to make decisions, and make sure its answers made sense. Instead of doing it all at once, I split it into smaller pieces which made it easier to time manage and stay on track to complete the task. For example, one day I would just work on gathering data, and the next I might focus on building the AI part. Doing it step by step made it less overwhelming and helped me stay on track.
I also try to plan each day so I know what my top priorities are that I have to complete for the day. That way, even if something unexpected happens, I can still get the most important things done. I check Slack in the morning, look at my project plan, and then focus on my priorities. At the end of the day, I check how much I’ve done and see if I need to adjust anything for the next day.
Before this internship, I never really worked a 9-5 before. It really has made me realize how important managing my time is not just for work but also free time. Like by the time I get home from work and eat dinner it’s already 8pm. So managing my time not just for work but also for my down time is so important. Because being in a new city I want to have enough time to experience as much as possible.
Living in Prague has also helped me learn how to manage my time. After work, I like exploring the city, meeting new friends, and seeing places like the Prague Castle. My friends and I were able to travel to Budapest for 2 nights. It was a fun way to really connect with the other people at the program and spend time with people from all over the world. I’ve learned how to balance my work and free time, so I don’t miss out on amazing experiences.
Managing my time well at Carvago is really helping me grow. I’m learning how to stay organized by collaborating with my team and making sure to manage my time to effectively complete the projects. Carvago is more of startup culture when it comes to the work. So even if I am working on a project I may have to quickly adapt and work on other things as issues arrise. This can be stressful at times but has taught me how to adapt quickly and manage my time so I can still finish the required tasks. These are skills I’ll use in school, future jobs, and even in my personal projects. When I go back to the United States, I’ll be more confident working with teams and handling deadlines. I will have the ability to solve big problems one step at a time.
Overall, I’ve learned that good time management isn’t just about being busy but it’s about being smart with your time. By planning ahead, making sure I know what I need to do, asking for help when I need it, and keeping things organized, I can do great work and still enjoy new experiences in a different country. This internship is helping me become more responsible, focused, and ready for whatever comes next in my career.