An Inside Have a look at HubSpot’s Tradition

Embarking on the post-graduation journey from intern to full-time is a transformational time, holding the promise {of professional} improvement, private development, and helpful classes. This weblog introduces you to Aanchal (pronounced aa-chal), an Affiliate Product Supervisor (APM) intern within the Academy Product Group of 2022, who later joined as a full-time HubSpotter.

We needed to see what that journey regarded like up shut, so we nearly caught up with Aanchal to get a glimpse into the beginning of her profession and “woah moments”. Over to you Aanchal!

Aanchal getting impressed by Dharmesh’s cutout

When you’re in any method related to HubSpot, you may’ve heard the thrill about HubSpot’s tradition and folks. Initially, it sounded too good to be true however having spent merely three months on the Cambridge workplace, I’ve seen what an empowering firm tradition really means. Now, I’m a full-time Affiliate Product Supervisor, and signing the supply letter was one of many best selections I needed to make. And I’ll let you know precisely why.

However first, what’s the Affiliate Product Supervisor Program at HubSpot?

The APM Internship Program at HubSpot is designed to construct the subsequent Product Leaders by educating interns tips on how to resolve issues in a inventive and customer-centric method. By this program, interns get a style of the Product Administration (PM) way of life. Interns are given cost of a particular challenge and are inspired to be curious, make errors, and be taught from them. 

I labored on the Academy Product Group then and my challenge required me to get an all-rounded perspective of the product by speaking to Engineering, Design, UX, Advertising and marketing, and Gross sales representatives. All through my internship, I watched buyer calls, organized brainstorming workshops, analyzed firm information, created GitHub points, and at last created an in depth temporary on my preliminary downside assertion.

From Influence to Provide

Whereas from my earlier experiences, I used to be used to tips and construction, HubSpot gave me loads of autonomy. I’d inform my supervisor the precise expertise I needed to concentrate on and collectively we have been in a position to tailor my internship expertise to reinforce these expertise. This autonomy was new for me and it meant I used to be ideating high-impact and long-term options as an intern. There have been loads of variables at play and I used to be simply beginning out. 

In a 1:1, my supervisor suggested me to be “comfy with the discomfort of uncertainty”. We got here up with instruments that guided my resolution making with which I used to be in a position to substantiate my options. This was a core studying expertise as a result of the selections of a PM are virtually by no means totally clear-cut. I had begun growing a framework for changing into a PM and I used to be hungry to know extra. By the top of the internship, I felt like I had simply begun scratching the floor of HubSpot’s ecosystem. My recruiter held a last check-in assembly with me round this time and I used to be elated to get a return supply!

The Course of and Progress

Now, as a full-time worker, the experiences of my internship echo in my head as I try to develop higher. I’m on a brand new crew now (Developer Product Group), and whereas my product has modified, the PM mindset stays related. I’ve now discovered tips on how to doc my course of and observe my progress. There’s much more accountability to be proactive and curious now and I’ve a tremendous crew supporting me as I navigate this new journey. My recommendation is to maintain asking questions. When you don’t perceive the reply from one individual, ask one other, and maintain going. 

One of many greatest motivators behind my alternative to remain at HubSpot full-time is (shock, shock) – the tradition. These are a few my tales from final yr that give a glimpse of what HubSpot’s tradition seems prefer to me. I name these my “WOAH” moments.

⭐ “You may make errors and nonetheless really feel such as you’re rising?! WOAH.” 

I used to be tackling a brand new challenge, and in my pleasure to maneuver rapidly and experiment, I made the error of overlapping with another person within the challenge’s work. My colleague scheduled a 1:1 with me and expressed how the duties of a PM can get blurry with others on the crew and tips on how to talk by means of such an overlap.

I walked away from this assembly feeling like a stronger PM. As a substitute of blaming myself, I felt like I had discovered one thing new. This expertise additionally taught me tips on how to give and obtain trustworthy, considerate, and respectful suggestions. I used to be content material to know that my crew would maintain me accountable, help me, and develop with me.

⭐ “You may really be your self at work?! WOAH”.

Across the identical time, I used to be given the chance to host an AMA session with our former CPO Steph Cuthbertson. One of many issues she stated has caught with me to today. At most different corporations, she stated, staff are presupposed to convey their “work selves” to work. This suggests the traditional notion of separating your private, social, and political ideas and points from the individual you’re throughout working hours. However at HubSpot, she stated, you’re inspired to convey your complete self to work and that’s how we’re defining the way forward for work tradition.

This strongly resonated with me as a result of the small issues that make us who we’re – the worldwide mobility coverage, the power to convey your canine to work, the weak moments shared over Zoom, co-workers asking for the pronunciation of your identify – all of it issues on a micro and macro degree. 

⭐ “Work doesn’t at all times take precedence?! WOAH.” 

For me, the largest instance of bringing your complete self to work was on June twenty fourth 2023 – the fateful Friday that Roe v Wade was overturned. I keep in mind seeing the information notification and being frozen, unable to fathom what this meant for ladies and folx all through the nation. The extra I dug deeper into the information, the extra paralyzed I felt. 

My cellphone pinged once more. This time it was a Slack message from the #women-at-hubspot Slack channel. One individual spoke about how they have been deeply upset. One other was sharing assets for protests in Boston. One other shared how they have been spending the day crying and gave their crew the break day. One other was organizing a neighborhood check-in. One other even supplied their residence to remain in if anybody wanted it to entry healthcare. I had tears in my eyes after I noticed these messages. The sensation of worry and isolation nonetheless lingers in in the present day’s political panorama – it’s terrifying however having a compassionate neighborhood introduced me hope on a darkish day like this. This wasn’t simply fluff. This was actual help, solidarity, and togetherness. 

For this reason I selected HubSpot. We worth our work and we worth our individuals. I’m proud, excited, and infinitely grateful to be right here. I’m completely happy to assist anybody seeking to know extra concerning the APM program. Let’s join on LinkedIn!

Have your personal WOAH moments!
And be part of us in constructing an organization we’re happy with. Study extra about HubSpot’s tradition on our careers web site and observe HubSpot Life on Instagram as we proceed to share worker highlights, inside celebrations, learnings, and extra. Interested by Product @ HubSpot? Have a peek at our Product Weblog.