In school, I used to ask myself, “Why do teachers always make us work in groups for projects? Wouldn’t it just be easier to do everything myself, to ensure it played out exactly the way I wanted it to?” Group projects honestly felt like a waste of time.
However, throughout my time as an intern for TEDCO’s Development and Marketing Team, I realized the value of collaboration which has remained at the forefront of the company’s values.
For me, this expertise has not always been an easy feat. Starting out as an introvert in my public-school career, I had to work on increasing the quality of my collaborative skills with others. Nevertheless, I became more comfortable alongside my peers and teachers, and realized that collaboration was the yellow brick road to success.
As high school loomed over me, I was able to overcome the struggles of freshman year with the help of my friends and family. That support gave me the confidence to apply for Girl Scouts Shadow Girl, which allowed me to be greeted at the doorstep of TEDCO as a Marketing Intern.
There, I was astounded at how down-to-earth and collaborative the TEDCO work environment continues to be. The work the Marketing team and the company as a whole put toward achieving their goals would not be possible without the constant support of others. From making meetings enjoyable to providing constructive feedback with a smile, creating a pleasant environment for everyone is vital.
Collaboration means joining forces by cooperating with your counterparts and learning from each other. TEDCO’s mission is to provide monetary assistance, resources, and networks for early-stage technology companies in Maryland. Like clockwork, the company’s ability to operate without hitches is driven by the determination to work together.
The word “collaboration” holds much more weight than just thirteen letters. Whether it is a school project or a business meeting, it takes communicating, compromising, and patience to effectively collaborate with one another. Companies like TEDCO are essential to enhancing the work environment of their executives and employees by encouraging vital, yet often overlooked, skills such as collaboration.