My Summer with Grassland Ventures

Background 

Before joining Grassland Ventures, I wrapped up my first year at McGill University where I’m working towards a Bachelor of Commerce. I’ve always had a passion for entrepreneurship and business management - so when I heard about this opportunity to join a startup and expand my experience and learning, I was ecstatic. 

I've particularly enjoyed the diverse range of tasks I've had the chance to tackle. From learning how to use eye-tracking software to sorting through requirements. During this time my skill set has developed in ways I could’ve never imagined. 

Experience

Experience Insight Group (EIG)

Throughout my four-month journey with Grassland Ventures, I embraced a range of roles and responsibilities, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. One of the most significant to me was the work I got to do with our eye-tracking technology for EIG. While the software certainly took time getting acquainted with, in the end I felt a sense of accomplishment that I was able to work with such an uncommon piece of technology. I prepared, researched, and was able to conduct my own preliminary study in our workspace. I learnt how to use the analysis software and was able to present my findings to my colleagues. I was also able to begin helping out with planning and putting together a presentation for a real time study which down the line will be conducted with one of our biggest clients. As a business major with a concentration in marketing, it’s safe to say this was an incredible and rare opportunity that offered me a new perspective on the possibilities marketing research has to offer.

BudSense

One of the things I found to be so fascinating about this company was their unique approach to partnerships, collaborating with the company’s they develop technology for. These relationships demonstrate the dynamic nature of our projects - and the company itself. Because of this, the team is dispersed - as different people work alongside different companies. I was able to work for BudSense doing a variety of work within their database. I also helped gather data for a very exciting project they have coming up! I loved the experience of being able to jump between companies and the vastly different roles I played at each one. It taught me how to be versatile and adapt to varying situations

Grassland Ventures

Naturally, a significant portion of my time was dedicated to Grassland Ventures' projects, with one of the major tasks revolving around creating content for our website. I was able to help write and review multiple blog posts to keep our feed active - much like this one! 

Another really amazing experience was getting to see and learn about the work Grassland Ventures does with Federated Co-operatives Limited. I was able to sit in on meetings and learn about a variety of areas from software development, to product demos, to QA meetings. It gave me a glimpse inside the work and process it takes to launch an app - not to mention I was able to experience the app actually launching. It was an incredible experience and not one that I thought I would ever receive. This opportunity significantly broadened my understanding of various business and technology processes, offering valuable real-world exposure.

Takeaways 

One lesson I can undoubtedly take away from this experience is the importance of innovation and open-mindedness. I was given independence and space to explore and be creative - especially when it came to learning how to work with our eye-tracking glasses. It enforced problem-solving skills, time management, and a sense of purpose. The work I was doing really felt like my own and it instilled a strive to create work in which I was proud of. I appreciated the chance to participate in meetings, collaborative brainstorming sessions, and receive the guidance to work independently - something which is particularly beneficial as a summer student.

Throughout the summer, I've gained valuable skills and knowledge that will undoubtedly contribute to my ongoing studies and future career. My experience has been overwhelmingly positive.