Timothy James Vincent

Describe the steps you took to obtain your internship/research opportunity/fellowship.

Through taking FSU's Foundations of Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation course, I was exposed to the possibility of applying for an internship with Domi Station, Tallahassee's primary business and startup incubator. With the guidance of my professor, Bruce Manciagli, I was able to forward my resume, cover letter, and reason of interest to Domi Station's Director of Incubation and Programs. Taking the time to cultivate a sense of trust and innovative thinking, I was put through three different interviews to which I eventually was granted the position of Programs Assistant.

How far in advance did you prepare and begin applying for your experiential learning opportunity?

I began preparing and applying for this position roughly a month prior to the actual start date of my internship. The process entailed an initial application for FSU's Entrepreneurship Internship course, followed by an interview with the liaison between Tallahassee businesses and FSU's students. Once this process was established, I was then prompted to forward my resume and cover letter to Domi Station's directors, which resulted in the scheduling of two separate interviews with Domi Station's staff. Once accepted into the organization, I was then trained with Domi Station's staff and integrated into the culture of the agency.

Describe some of your responsibilities or duties during your experiential learning opportunity.

In my time at Domi Station, I've been given the opportunity to grow in the areas of business development, innovative thinking, and strategic planning. Our goal at Domi Station is to create and maintain a community of entrepreneurs who are dedicated to building the future. In this process, my roles and responsibilities have been to work alongside the Director of Programs and Incubation to conduct the programs we hold for both rising and established entrepreneurs. Working to implement the administrative components of our programs, I was able to take on the role of composing the administrative details and outlines.

What was a typical day like "on the job?"

What I love most about working at Domi Station is that no day is the same as the prior. There is no typical "day on the job." Some days I go into work and we are hosting NPR guests who are speaking to Tallahassee about creativity and passion, some days I go into Domi and work alongside cohorts of entrepreneurs who are building some of the neatest companies, and other days I go in and my sole focus is compiling metrics data from our 120+ companies. This type of flow has allowed for me to grow in all aspects of my personal and professional development. I've been truly blessed to have this opportunity.

What are some major takeaways from your experience? How will these help prepare you for the next step after graduation?

"In a time when progress demands innovation, we believe startups are a way forward." A quote from our Executive Director showcases my main takeaway from this experience. Having started as an intern with Domi Station and moving into a paid position with the company has pushed me to reflect on my overall experience. In my time at Domi, I've learned how to think more critically about situations, I've learned how to allow myself to be innovative, I've learned how to be confident in myself and my work, and I've learned how to work alongside some of the greatest entrepreneurs in Florida.