Bengaluru Intern Sparks Buzz With Exit Message: ‘My AI Startup Got Funded'
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In the WhatsApp conversation, the intern tells their employer they no longer need the internship because their startup got funded.
For many, internships play a big role in setting off one's career path. They offer a first real taste of the working world. Most people use this time to learn, grow and prepare for the next step which is usually a full-time job. But for one person, that long journey was cut short before it could even properly begin and for all the right reasons. Recently, a WhatsApp chat between an intern and their employer caught everyone's attention after being shared on LinkedIn. The post was shared by Aashish Jhunjhunwala, Founder of Stealth.
He uploaded a screenshot of the chat which was shared on X with the caption, 'This only happens in Bangalore." The conversation begins with the employer texting the intern, 'Hey, what happened to you last Friday? I didn't see you in office." The intern responds with: 'Hey, sorry I took a leave because I had a meeting with a VC. My AI startup got funded. I don't need the internship anymore."
Aashish captioned the post with: '3 key takeaways from the below screenshot" He went on to write: '3. Bengaluru is the startup capital of India 2. You never know when your intern/subordinate can become a CEO/Founder 1. Anything will sell if you mention 'AI'."
In the comment section, some people praised the intern's bold move while others criticised the attitude behind the message.
One user commented, 'Your insights resonate deeply. The rapid evolution of roles in startups truly highlights the importance of nurturing talent, as today's intern could very well be tomorrow's leader. Additionally, the emphasis on AI in every aspect is a crucial reminder of the ongoing digital transformation in our industries. Thank you for sharing these valuable takeaways."
Another said, 'The 4th takeaway is that we can never predict when the CEO/Founder may become an intern again. So, it is best not to say 'I don't need the internship anymore"."
'You mean to say shallow arrogance? I am sure he will come back as an intern again and this time he will be ok with unpaid internships," someone wrote.
'99% of those interns will be back on dihadi (incredibly low wage) in a few years. (Figure just to illustrate the stark reality)," read a remark.
An individual jokingly noted, 'The next answer by the manager to the ex-intern could be – Can you hire me for a role please?"
Recently, Vinay Hiremath, the co-founder of Loom, made headlines for a surprising reason. After selling his company to Atlassian for around $1 billion in 2023 and earning between $50 and $70 million, he even refused a retention bonus worth $60 million. Despite all that success, he is now looking for internships.
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