AMBESSA PLAY

Peter Baker, Christ Church College, First Year Undergraduate, Engineering Science MEng, Remote working

Work Projects

I was working on creating the first

prototype for a STEM kit toy. This involved

using Creo, a computer aided design app

and a 3D printer to build and test

prototypes and then refine them. As a

result of my internship, Ambessa Play went

from having no physical design for the

torch and only a loose electronics idea to having ten fully functional working kits which can

then be used to gather feedback from children.

Daily Life

My day would start by collecting yesterday's last 3D print from my 3D printer. 3D printing

has a very slow production process so my days were largely based around timing prints to

finish at convenient times. Immediately after collecting yesterday’s print, I would likely set another design printing and then go upstairs for my daily check in with Sara, Ambessa Play's

founder. After filling her in on the last twenty-four hours of progress I'd then go and test the

print from overnight and make changes to the design. Depending on the complexity and

success of the print this could take me till early afternoon at which time the second print of

the day would have likely finished. This cycle was repeated several times a day depending on how long/ intricate the prints were.

Lasting Impressions

The experience has been fantastic: I have been paid to design and tinker little models,

something I would otherwise be doing for fun! It has also been a great first insight into start-

up culture and its fast pace.

Leonardo de Almeida e Bueno, St.Cross College, Third Year Postgraduate, DPhil in Engineering Science, Remote working

Work Projects

My internship with Ambessa Play was

spread out over 5 weeks starting on the

13th of July. I was in charge of designing

the electronics and also helping to clarify

some of the user requirements and

detailed project vision. I invested a great

deal into investigating the best ways a child could manipulate and learn with the kit and at

the same moment ensure the final assembled toy could be heavily used in daily tasks.

It was an interesting experience in manufacturing, education, and the motivations of

children. By the end of the internship, I was able to provide some prototypes of the

electronics boards to be tested by the children. Sara, the founder of Ambessa, scheduled

several meetings with parents, educators and other product developers to give insights into

the project requirements, usability and market. With this information, we were able to put

together a detailed map of user needs and prioritize the development of the company

products.

Daily Life

I did not work at the company, but also not fully at home. Since I have access to the

Department facilities, I was able to prepare a working station for assembling, soldering and

preparing the prototypes. I had daily meetings with Sara, in the morning, to discuss the

development progress and the daily activities. The meetings helped to keep track of the

company goals and timelines. Every time components or additional materials were needed,

purchases were discussed with Sara. She would buy the materials and deliver them to the

Department where I could access them.

On days that I was working from home, I used the time to search for component suppliers

and discuss requirements and solutions for the project. We also used these days to schedule

the brainstorming meetings in which we discussed with parents, educators and other

product developers to give insights into the project requirements, usability and market.

Lasting Impressions

I felt very excited and motivated by the whole concept of Ambessa and really enjoyed

contributing to the project. The background efforts, the vision and the strong determination

of Sara, are definitely an energizing reassurance on how goodwill, good ideas and good work

can make a difference in the world. I definitely learned a lot, about how children learn and

play. I believe the internship defined a new path for my career, where I can develop

educational material and help supporting new generations in low-income settings.

First Year Undergraduate, BA English Language and Literature, Remote working

Work Projects

I had an internship in social media and

marketing at the ed-tech start-up Ambessa

Play. I was given the flexibility to choose the

tasks that I was interested in, with the unique

opportunity to help shape the strategy and

brand identity of such a new company. I had goals set to quantify my success, and at the

end of each week, I updated my progress in increasing following and engagement across

social media platforms.

I received one-on-one support from the founder and CEO, who was always there to check in

but also allowed for flexibility in how often I wanted to meet on Zoom for guidance or

message on Slack whenever I needed help, where they were always available. I worked on a

variety of different skills, from designing Instagram posts on Canva, writing captions with

strategic hashtags, re-designing the layout and bio of the Instagram account, planning a

posting schedule, writing guidelines for the brand voice, researching competitors, and

growing the number of followers. I was able to double the followers of the account on

Instagram and create numerous posts on topics that I was interested in, and overall greatly

enjoyed the experience which was an invaluable asset for my future career.

Daily Life

My internship was completed remotely, and I was able to choose my start time which

allowed for a flexible schedule. I started at 10AM, usually with a check-in meeting to start

the day and review what I would be working on. I took advantage of the remote working

set-up to work from cafes and coworking spaces, meaning I wasn't stuck at home for the

whole internship. I enjoyed spending time at home with cats while I was working, which

wouldn't normally be possible in an office environment. I also was able to watch the

Olympics during my breaks and go outside and enjoy the warm weather after work.

Overall, I found that working from home allowed for more flexibility, but it became my

responsibility to make sure I wasn't working too much or too little, as there was no one to

dictate when I should take breaks or not. By the end of the internship, I was able to achieve

a work-life balance that suited me and my work schedule and really enjoyed the opportunity

to have a less stressful experience than a more pressurised in-person schedule might have

been for me. There are definitely benefits to both, but my daily life working remotely was

relaxed and presented opportunities to work in whatever space I wanted each day.

Lasting Impressions

I have a very positive lasting impression of my internship. I am

proud of what I was able to accomplish and immensely grateful

to have been given this opportunity. I really enjoyed getting a

chance to see what my future professional life might be like, and

it affirmed my career ambitions and the type of work I am

hoping to pursue. I feel that I have gained a lot from the experience, not only in what I have

learned practically, from graphic design skills to the most efficient strategies of growing

followers online, but also how much I have grown as a professional.

I am hoping to stay involved with the organisation and I am excited to see how it will grow,

as I really admire its mission. I feel that I have made a genuine impact and made valuable

contributions, which may not have been possible in a larger organisation. I'm sure I will

bring so much of this experience with me throughout my career and it was not only

enjoyable but incredibly valuable and has helped to inform my choices as I move forward in

pursuing my career ambitions. It was such a fun learning experience and I'm so glad I was

able to work with Ambessa Play this summer.