It was my second day on the job at Summer of Tech. An explorative and well-facilitated workshop on company values was scheduled first thing. As a warm-up, we took turns disagreeing with our boss over topics like "winter is better than summer" or "pineapple should not go on pizza'. (I'm pro pineapple on pizza, how else am I going to get my 5 plus a day?)

As the workshop progressed, so did the complexity of the scenarios. I felt tense from the prospect of having to disagree with my boss - afraid of saying something that was completely misaligned with my new teammates' beliefs.

But what's worse? To speak your mind and have someone disagree with you? Or to quietly agree with everyone else?... and sacrifice your voice, along with the opportunity to contribute and add value to your team.

There are times in the past where I have chosen the latter. 

Conflict. I avoid it, and usually at all costs. 

But I remembered some advice that two expert tech industry professionals gave me about the desired qualities of a successful junior candidate. To be pragmatic, know when to be a team player and back down and know how to advocate for your ideas. Be respectful, curious and ask questions if someone disagrees with you. 

So I spoke my mind, despite the imagined danger involved in doing so. It's challenging to risk conflict or disagree with a person (or team) you respect, and I'm still in need of practice. 

But I'm so glad that I did.

So fellow Alumni. Do you like pineapple on pizza? 

This is the second blog post of a series by our 2021 Marketing Intern, Yana Brewster. Keep an eye out - she will be continually posting as her internship journey progresses!

See her first post here: Summer of Tech Internship - My First Day