I remember walking into The Social Space for my interview with Farhana, my soon-to-be supervisor — scared, slightly awkward. But when I walked out after the interview, I felt something shift. I was smiling, hopeful, and already crossing my fingers that I’d get to be a part of the TSS family.

I did — and I couldn’t be more grateful. 

This was my very first internship, and honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better place to start. Everything was new to me — emails, spreadsheets, point-of-sale systems — you name it. But Farhana was incredibly patient and kind. She never made me feel silly for asking questions (even when I asked the same one twice), and she made sure I always felt supported. It made a world of difference.

What surprised me the most was how much I got to do! My internship was a mix of marketing and retail, which meant my days were never boring. Some mornings, I’d be doing stocktake or rearranging products in the retail space. In the afternoon, I’d be filming videos, editing clips for Instagram, or brainstorming captions. And somewhere in between, I learned how to work the cashier comfortably and interact with real customers - something that felt scary at first, but quickly became fun! 

I quickly realised that being adaptable was key. Some days felt like a whirlwind - juggling café rush hours, social media tasks, and last-minute requests. But I learned to stay calm, go with the flow, and somehow… everything always got done. I even got comfortable chatting with the café team, who were always so full of energy and made every shift feel lighter.

And then there were the silly moments - the random conversations, inside jokes, and laughter that came out of nowhere. Whether it was joking about things that made no sense or laughing until our sides hurt, those moments made even the longest days fly by. It was in those little pockets of joy that I realised - this wasn’t just a workplace. It was a place where people genuinely cared, helped each other out, and made work feel like something more.

Looking back, I’m really thankful that this was my first internship. I didn’t just learn how to edit videos, handle stock, or manage tasks - I learned how to work with people. I got to see what it’s like to be part of a team that values purpose, kindness, and people.

A special thank-you to both Farhana and Cheryl - Farhana, for being the most patient and encouraging supervisor I could’ve asked for, and Cheryl, for giving me the opportunity to explore digital marketing even without prior experience. I’m so grateful for the many chances I had to try new things, and for the detailed, thoughtful feedback that helped me learn and grow every step of the way.

So, thank you - to Farhana, Cheryl, the café and retail team, and everyone who made this journey so full of colour. Thank you for teaching me, guiding me, and filling every day with kindness and laughter. I’m walking away with new skills, a better understanding of the working world, and most importantly, a heart full of gratitude. ❤️