Hello again!
This week, I officially started my internship in Berlin. As I mentioned previously, I am working as a Data Science Intern at Klim, a sustainable agritech company focused on regenerative agriculture practices.
I was definitely a little nervous on my first day, especially heading into the office for the first time, but everyone was incredibly welcoming and friendly and made me feel right at home. The company is medium-sized and has a beautiful office space with lots of natural light and an open-floor layout, which creates a really motivating environment to work in.
Most of my first week was spent meeting people across different teams, learning more about the company, reading through project documentation, and getting my network and database access set up. While I have not fully jumped into my project yet, it has been interesting getting a behind-the-scenes look at how everything operates. One thing that has stood out to me is how international the company is. Many employees are from outside Germany, so it has been fascinating hearing about different experiences, cultures, and career paths from people all over the world.
One of my favourite office traditions that I got to experience this week was Pasta Day. Once a month, a team volunteers to cook pasta for the entire office. Not only was the food delicious, but it was also a great opportunity to meet and talk with people from different departments that I may not have interacted with otherwise.
The biggest adjustment so far has been my commute. It takes about an hour by bus and train each way to get to the office. Coming from the University of Pittsburgh, where so much of my daily life is within walking distance, it has definitely taken some getting used to. However, I have tried to see it as an opportunity rather than a downside. The commute has helped me become more familiar with Berlin’s public transportation system, and it also gives me some quiet time before and after work. In the mornings, I use the ride to get into a work mindset and make a plan for the day. On the way home, it gives me time to unwind and reflect before the evening.
As for time management, one thing that has helped me stay organized is time blocking. Giving myself a specific task and a rough time frame to complete it keeps me focused and prevents me from spending too much time on any one thing. I have also found that taking short breaks throughout the day, whether it is grabbing a coffee or simply stepping away from my desk for a few minutes, helps keep me productive and prevents my work from feeling repetitive.
My managers have also introduced some practices that have been helpful for staying on track. Every morning, we have a stand-up meeting where we discuss priorities for the day, and at the end of each day, I send a short update outlining what I accomplished, any challenges I ran into, and what I plan to work on next. These check-ins have helped me be more intentional with my time and reflect on how I am progressing throughout the week.
Overall, this internship is already teaching me a lot about workplace organization, productivity, and balancing priorities. It has been interesting to see how a professional team structures its work to stay efficient while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
So far, my first week in Berlin has been nothing short of amazing. I have learned a lot, met some great people, and started settling into both the city and my internship. If this week is any indication of what is ahead, I am very excited for the next seven weeks and everything they will bring.
