My name is Karolyne, and I am a rising sophomore in high school. Elev Labs is both my first real job and my first time working in a startup environment.
I was invited into Elev by my friend (and now boss) Max. Failing to mention he was one of the co-founders, he unassumingly texted me, “I think you may be a good fit for this.” I clicked on the link he had attached to the text and I was genuinely amazed by the mission Elev was putting out, so I applied thinking it was a longshot.
Obviously, since I’m writing this, I got the job. The application process was extensive, to say the least, and unlike anything I’ve ever done before. Being accepted was a great feeling, but at the same time, I felt a bit out of my range. Up to then, I had virtually no business or startup experience and truthfully, I felt inferior compared to my coworkers going to colleges such as MIT and UC Berkeley, who have previously worked in startup environments like Elev.
Becoming ‘acquainted’ with the startup environment was a bit overwhelming at first, but eventually, I started to pick up more and more about how dynamic and fast-paced startups are. Explaining what I do and what Elev Labs is, is not an easy task. We all have our job titles, but at the end of the day, we would all help each other with anything if it meant getting the best result possible.
I will forever be grateful to the founders of Elev and my coworkers who I feel have been very patient with me, as I was learning the ropes. The best way to describe how I felt diving right into Elev is like a deer in the headlights; initially, I was absolutely clueless. The sense of community and camaraderie I’ve experienced here is incomparable to anything, I can comfortably look to my coworkers for their opinion and for support. I was able to adjust so quickly, partly because of the effort I put in on my end, but also because of the help and one on one attention I have been given.
Was it intimidating and a little scary at times? Yes, of course.
Did I allow this to stop me from trying at all? No. That’s not my or the Elev way!
I feel like many people fail to seize opportunities because of similar doubts in their heads, or simply not knowing where to start. I hate to see good ideas go down the drain, to be unheard, or to simply stay an idea. Here at Elev, I am encouraged to speak up if I think I can input anything even slightly helpful into the discussion. We love to bounce ideas off of each other in order to get the best results possible, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" – Helen Keller.
If you feel out of your range, like a deer in the headlights or even just intimidated as I did, I urge you to put yourself out there and do it!
If I had let the feeling of it being a longshot for applying to Elev get to me, I wouldn’t be where I am today, with all the experience and lessons I’ve learned along the way. Elev has opened my eyes to an industry that I never even considered, and has made me open myself up to a completely new skill set that will help me in many future endeavors. I know Elev is still fresh and pretty new, but there has to be a start to everything in life.
Please, don’t wait to put yourself or your idea out there--I didn’t, and where it got me, is only the beginning!
Karolyne Lajera is a sophomore in high school from Long Island, New York. She is also an Administrative Assistant at Elev Labs.