At Justworks, we launched a winter internship program. Our first-ever “Winternship” and I was lucky to be part of the inaugural cohort. When I joined, I knew I’d be challenged technically. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d grow personally. The experience was a rollercoaster of highs and lows that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone and helped me grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated, both personally and professionally.
My internship ended up being more than just a few months of learning, it was the start of my career here. Soon after, I accepted a full-time offer and stepped into a new chapter as an engineer. The lessons I learned during that internship didn’t stop when it ended. They continue to shape how I approach learning, growth, and uncertainty in my work today.
Some time after the internship, I came across the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), or the Stages of Change Model. Around the same time, I revisited Brené Brown’s TED Talk, The Power of Vulnerability. I hadn’t realized how central vulnerability had been in my experience. I showed up, asked for help, and pushed through discomfort, even when it felt risky. Denial, contemplation, action, and acceptance, the four stages of the model, mirrored my own journey and helped me make sense of how I’d grown.
Vulnerability is not winning or losing; It’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.
Brenè Brown
Of course, building technical skills was important. But the biggest growth came from learning how to face the unknown and keep going. At Justworks, that kind of growth is valued, it’s something I’ve carried with me from my first days on the team as an intern to now as a Senior Software Engineer. Whether you’re just starting out or deep into your own transformation, my hope is that this story reminds you: growth isn’t always linear, but it’s always worth it.
What the Stages Looked Like for Me
Denial: At first, I thought my only job was to absorb technical knowledge, I hesitated to ask questions or admit when I didn’t understand something. I was avoiding vulnerability by keeping my head down and trying to prove I belonged.
Contemplation: Eventually, I started noticing the ways I was holding myself back. How imposter syndrome, hesitation to speak up, and reluctance to fail publicly were holding me back. I realized something needed to change.
Action: With mentorship and support, I started leaning in. I asked for feedback. I took on tasks that made me uncomfortable, but also exciting, because they pushed me to challenge my inner voice.
Acceptance: By the end of the internship, I didn’t feel like a different person, but I did feel more confident in my ability to adapt, learn, and solve problems as they come up.
Engineering isn’t just about what you build. It’s about how you grow, both in your skills and in who you become. Internships are more than line items on a resume. This internship helped me see that becoming a better engineer goes hand in hand with becoming a braver human. Vulnerability and resilience weren’t just helpful during that time but they were essential. And those lessons continue to guide the way I approach my work today.
If you’re navigating your own path of growth, maybe you’ll see a bit of yourself in one of these stages. Wherever you are in the process, you’re already in motion.
