Meet our interns!
This summer we have had the pleasure of welcoming a new group of passionate individuals to our team. It has been nothing but a pleasure to see each person unlocking their unique set of skills and potential, acting as a breath of fresh air in the organization.
Meet our interns: Azadeh, Trang, and Tanveer!
Azadeh Seif Askari
First impression
When my friends first told me about the internship, I was surprised to learn that there were no formal requirements. Usually, you apply for a certain position, and with it comes a list of requirements to make sure you can fulfill the role, but with Bolder, it was not like that. At first, I did not understand exactly what they needed an intern for, but after doing more research on the company, I discovered the amazing philosophy behind it. As I was preparing my cover letter I felt quite confident and believed I could get the internship position, because the impression I had of Bolder had motivated me to think carefully about how I could contribute to the company.
Motivation
I find the Bolder philosophy especially motivating because it revolves around the idea of creating an environment where people have the freedom to find themselves and realize what they are capable of. This structure is probably a bit challenging for people who like to be given orders, but to me, it was nothing but a great motivation and an open door to exploring new and unknown areas.
I also have to mention that I really enjoy the environment here. First of all, the environment is very open and is made up of a group of friendly and humble people. I can easily go up to anyone and ask any questions I should have. Some of the people working here have much more experience than I have, but they never hesitate to engage in conversation with me. Secondly, this is a very good opportunity for me to learn from. I can have great discussions about my work with Eirik, who despite being the CEO, is always humble which makes me feel comfortable to enter a discussion and defend my ideas.
Working in Bolder
I have studied risk management and my first task in Bolder was to help prepare the HSC standards and documentation with the AIR project team. Eventually, my role expanded and now it also includes preparing risk management models, which may be implemented in other projects such as the smart city project. I also got the opportunity to try something that is completely new to me: Marketing. Right now, I am working with Google analytics for the Klatrefabrikken website.
At first, it was a bit difficult to figure out exactly where I should start and what I should spend my time on, but I have learned to figure it out as I go. A big part of my job is generating new ideas based on my experience and the projects we are working on in Bolder, which can be a challenging task at times. But when the outcome is positive it feels very sweet. There is nothing better than seeing all the effort I put in pay off.
It should also be mentioned that the Bolder philosophy is perfect for me because I thrive in an environment where I am not ordered to something, but rather encouraged to use my own unique capabilities to generate new ideas. In other companies, you may experience that due to lack of experience you are not allowed to contribute where you would like to. But I believe that just because you have not experienced something yet, that does not mean you cannot do it in the future. You just need to be given the opportunity – and Bolder is really supportive of the people who know how to turn their capabilities into abilities.
Passions
I am passionate about physical activity, especially Pilates. Another one of my interests is Persian classic literature, which is my native language. What makes Persian literature stand out is the lessons it teaches you. While many poems simply describe something beautiful, Persian literature will help you think deeply and generate new thoughts. When I come to think of it, that is also what I like most about being involved in Bolder: The experience helps me become more philosophical and teaches me how to produce fresh ideas.
Trang Hong Luong
First impression
When I was first introduced to Bolder I was immediately impressed by the philosophy. To tell the truth, that was the first time I had heard the word ‘holacracy’, but I quickly discovered that this philosophy perfectly matches my own values. I also deeply appreciate the way we respect people and their privacy, and how we value the journey not only the destination.
I should also mention that during my first meeting with Bolder I got a tour of the AIR arena. This was an amazing experience for me because adventure sports are completely out of my comfort zone. Although I have seen people climb before, I never thought I would try it myself one day. I have been doing yoga for 10 years, but nothing that can be compared to what this arena is meant for.
Motivation
Working with technology is definitely motivating. While I have worked in a variety of fields in the past, like finance, banking, and marketing – technology is something brand new for me. This is exciting because I love challenging myself. I would also say that working with adventure tourism and adventure sports motivates me because it is something I would like to learn more about. Personally, I like the challenges I am faced with when working in Bolder and I believe I will learn a lot from it.
Working in Bolder
When I was interviewed for the internship I knew there were two teams: Business development and I&D. Based on my resumé I thought they would want me to join the business development team, but to my surprise, they had the opposite in mind. I do have some experience in I&D from when I worked as a product manager and one of my jobs was to research and find potential products to offer our customers. But when I meet new people they usually think I am more suitable for business development, because I like to communicate with people.
As of now, my main task is doing research for potential products to offer in our arena. I have also been a part of the marketing team because I want to learn more about Bolder. Marketing is especially interesting to me because I have encountered a new approach to the field. When I have worked with marketing in the past, I usually followed the traditional marketing method, but here it’s different and it opens my mind to a new way of thinking. In that way I love working for Bolder: The holacracy gives us the opportunity to work on anything we like or are interested in. We do not have to stick with one team permanently.
Passions
One of the things I like to do in my free time is hiking. In Vietnam hiking is not popular, probably because our mountains are not so high and because it is a tropical country – but there are amazing hiking possibilities in Norway. I also like yoga and meditation, especially if I can meditate in a forest or on the top of a mountain. Yoga and meditation are good ways to find balance in our lives, especially when you have to juggle a job, children, and studies.
Tanveer Ahmed
First impression
The first time I heard of Bolder was when I attended one of Eirik’s lectures on the organization and their philosophy. Holacracy and their creative mindset inspired me to apply for the internship. Creative work is something I really enjoy and have worked with in the past. Furthermore, I appreciated that Bolder’s values align with my understandings and beliefs. While most people are profit-seeking and focused on professionalism, I believe that we should put humanism first. I used to think that I was too emotional and that corporate life did not suit me, but when I discovered Bolder I simultaneously discovered likeminded people.
Motivation
It is definitely motivating to work with likeminded people. Another aspect of my job that motivates me is the structure of the company. They give you the opportunity to think for yourself and figure out where you want to contribute based on your knowledge and experience. Here, you are not working under anyone, it is all about working with someone. In the same way, you are not handed the correct path, you are guided. This all means that there is room for being creative.
Working in Bolder
I am working with brand and marketing strategy, figuring out how we can reach out to people with our philosophy and mission. Trying to understand how we can teach our customers to trust us and how we can promote trust. When you see the Bolder logo, I want “trust” to be the first thing that comes to mind. I also help build brand values and promote them. Because I like challenges and have much control over which tasks I work with, almost everything I do at work is exciting. I like the environment, mindset, and the way you are encouraged to use your imagination.
Interests
One of my passions outside the office is cooking. I can cook almost all forms of continental foods, from Texas BBQ to Korean fried chicken. Fishing is also a hobby that I have loved ever since I was a child. Wherever I go, I always carry a fishing rod with me.
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