Day 1 vs Day 90: My Journey from Software Engineer Intern to Full-Time Engineer at Mercari India, Vandana Kumari

The Beginning

I was filled with excitement when I received my offer letter from Mercari. The letter not only confirmed my role as a software engineer intern but also detailed my start date, which I eagerly awaited. I prepared myself for the most anticipated day of my life, ready to embark on a new journey

First Day at the Company

Arriving at the office dressed in full formal attire, I aimed to make a good first impression. While waiting for the onboarding process to begin, I took the opportunity to explore the campus and office. Being part of such a beautiful organization was an incredible experience, and I couldn’t wait to dive into my new role.

Office Culture at Mercari

Mercari indeed has a vibrant and inclusive culture that stands out. Their core values—“Go Bold,” “All for One,” and “Be a Pro”—are deeply ingrained in their daily operations and decision-making processes¹². These values guide everything from hiring criteria to employee evaluations, ensuring that everyone is aligned towards the company’s mission.

The mentorship and support system you experienced is a testament to Mercari’s commitment to fostering growth and collaboration. Team bonding events, like the dinner you mentioned, are integral to building a strong sense of community and belonging within the organization¹²

Learning and Adaptation at Mercari

Mercari has an integrated and comprehensive onboarding program that ensures new hires can smoothly transition into their roles without feeling overwhelmed. The onboarding materials and resources are well-organized, making it easy to navigate through the initial stages and quickly adapt to the company’s workflow and expectations.

Completing the Onboarding Process

The initial days at Mercari were filled with activities aimed at setting us up for success. We completed the necessary onboarding documents and set up various tools required for our roles. We had several sessions introducing us to the different tools, concepts, and the tech stack used at Mercari, providing a seamless learning experience.

Key Learnings During Onboarding

1. Adaptation and Proactiveness: It’s crucial to be proactive and adapt to the new environment rather than expecting others to adjust to you. Conducting one-on-one alignments, familiarizing with the codebase, and understanding the end-to-end technical and user flows were essential steps in this process.
2. Identifying and Understanding Users: We focused on identifying the users of the product and gaining insights into how they interact with it. This user-centric approach helped us understand the practical implications of our work.
3. Following Established Rules: As a newcomer, it was important to adhere to the existing rules, frameworks, code standards, and tools. Noting any areas of dissatisfaction for future discussion was encouraged, but making changes at this early stage was not advisable.
4. Reading Documentation and Code: Comprehensive documentation is a valuable resource. Studying it and consulting with existing employees when necessary was essential. Additionally, reading the code provided a deeper understanding of the product’s functionality, both technically and from a business perspective.
5. Experiencing the Product: Approaching the product from a user’s perspective gave us a different outlook, highlighting the importance of understanding the user experience.
6. Building Relationships: Establishing friendly relationships with coworkers, especially influential individuals or group leaders, was crucial. Engaging in conversations with them helped us understand team dynamics and develop rapport, providing valuable guidance and support.

Regular One-on-Ones and Supportive Culture

We had regular one-on-one meetings with our managers and mentors. The culture at Mercari supports scheduling additional meetings or calls whenever needed, fostering an environment of open communication and support. If you feel the need for a one-on-one session, you can reach out anytime. The team members are incredibly helpful and always ready to guide you, ensuring that you never feel lost or unsupported.

Quarterly Offsite

During January-February, we experienced our first quarterly offsite at a resort. It was a day filled with fun and activities, welcoming interns and strengthening team bonds, discussing team OKR’s and so on. Mercari’s club activities further enhance the fun, offering unlimited opportunities to pursue various interests.

Club Activities Highlights

One of the best parts of working at Mercari is the diverse and engaging club activities. These activities not only provide a break from the routine but also help in building stronger bonds with colleagues. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Z-Explore-Bangalore: Our team visited the Bannerghatta Zoo in Bangalore. It was a day filled with exploration and appreciation of diverse nature. We got to see a variety of wildlife and enjoy the serene beauty of the zoo. This experience brought us closer as a team and offered a refreshing break from our usual work routine.

Mercari’s focus on employee well-being and team bonding through such activities makes it a unique and enjoyable workplace. The balance of work, learning, and fun ensures that employees are always motivated and engaged.

Journey at Mercari

Mercari provided me with an excellent opportunity to start my tech career as a software engineer. I learned a lot about the corporate world, its ways, and how to balance learning, adapting, and having fun. It has been a great beginning to my career.

Tips and Advice

1. Be Curious: Resources are everywhere; it’s your job to find them. Explore documentation, organizational history, and other helpful information.
2. Engage and Learn: Schedule meetings with people from different areas and approach them with a learning mindset. Ask questions and learn from their experiences.
3. Communicate with Your Manager: Clear and consistent communication with your manager is key. Ensure you are on the same page and openly discuss any concerns or ideas.
4. Don’t hesitate to ask questions even if it is a basic question from others perspective. Just make sure to ask right question at right time.

Reflecting on my journey from intern to full-time software engineer at Mercari, I am filled with gratitude and excitement. This experience has been a blend of rigorous learning, invaluable mentorship, and unforgettable memories. Mercari has not only honed my technical skills but also instilled in me the values of collaboration, adaptability, and curiosity.As I continue to grow and contribute to this incredible organization, I am eager to embrace new challenges and create lasting impact, both within Mercari and the broader tech community. Here’s to many more milestones and adventures ahead!

To sum up my journey at Mercari, here’s a proud Mercarian with a happy face. 

Vandana Kumari 
Software Engineer