Adriel Tjokrosaputro: Corporate Culture and Co-Workers

Adriel Tjokrosaputro, a fifth semester Music Business student interning with Warner Music in Indonesia, shares his thoughts about the importance of corporate culture when considering an internship.

“You three! Go to the pantry right now!” My supervisor shouted at me and the other two interns military-style. Yet, we silently ran and smiled. Three minutes later, we walked out carefully. My fellow intern, Aji, had a fancy chocolate cake on his hand with 20 lighted rainbow candles. Ten steps later, Warner Music Indonesia exploded into the song “Happy Birthday Dear Anggi.” Following Indonesian tradition, the birthday girl was given the opportunity to give the first piece to her most beloved co-worker.Turned out the person was my supervisor, Ms. Linda. She laughed and cried.

And just like that, I realized that I had been interning with this company for 6 weeks. I began to think of how sad I would be when I leave this place in September.

Perhaps some of you have experienced this: You were being interviewed for an internship. You aced it. You exceeded the interviewer’s expectation and the position’s qualifications and requirements. Your résumé is impressive. You had your victory fist up in the air. A few days later, you were contacted and… you did not get the internship. “Impossible! How did I fail?”

College students often think that the best way to get an internship is to have as much high-quality work experience and skills as possible. While these are the primary factors, we all seem to overlook one thing: corporate culture. One of the questions that an interviewer asks when making decision is, “Would this person be happy if s/he interns in here?” It is a simple yes/no question, yet carry a huge influence on how well you do in the internship.

I love Warner Music Indonesia’s corporate culture. From its chill (yet professional when we need to) working environment to the relatively liberal communication between interns and managers, the company makes it possible for me to connect with my fellow interns and managers to a point that we are all like one big family. An Indonesian poet once said that, “Tak kenal, maka tak sayang,” which roughly means, “You won’t love someone until you know them.” I guess this is right after all.

The connection that I have with my fellow co-workers pushes me to do my best in every single project given in this position. After all, 45 hours/week + weekends/public holidays (if needed) work could become overwhelming after sometime. Whenever I fall, there is always someone there to inspire me to get back into position, to stand up once again.

I am glad that I have found the right niché for my internship this summer. The next time you do not get that “dream” internship that you want, evaluate yourself again…Would I “really” be happy if I end up interning there?

 

Bio

Adriel Tjokrosaputro is currently a 5th semester student at Berklee College of Music, majoring in Music Business/Management in Marketing track. Currently, he is working as a Marketing and New Media Intern at Warner Music Indonesia, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group headquartered in New York City. In the future, Adriel hopes to work in the marketing/promotion side of live entertainment industry, particularly in the field of touring concerts and productions.