Meet the NYC Startup Internship Alumni: Justine Cheng

When I first applied to the NYC Startup Internship Program, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In my last semester at Baruch College, majoring in marketing management with a minor in new media arts, I knew I wanted to work somewhere that would let me tap into both sides of my brain—the strategic and the creative. I’m originally from a small town in Massachusetts, but am currently living in Queens. Living here has taught me how vibrant and fast-moving this city can be. I knew I wanted to work in a place where I could contribute to something meaningful while also learning how a business operates from the inside.

This summer, I’ve been interning at Diáfano, a language-learning company that brings accessible, culturally inclusive language programs to schools across New York. With over 20 languages offered, their work helps close the language gap for multilingual students and families. As a Sales and Marketing Intern, I sit at the intersection of outreach, communication, and design. Each day looks a little different but that’s what I love about it.

Most mornings start by checking our pipeline in Pipedrive and keeping track of new leads or follow-ups. I’ve learned how to use customer relationship management tools to strategically reach out to school administrators and education leaders. Beyond emails and outreach, I help the team stay organized using Trello, updating task lists and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.

One of my favorite parts of this internship has been creating educational materials using Canva and Google Slides. Designing engaging language learning content for students and teachers has taught me how to communicate clearly and effectively, especially when working with visuals. It’s a balance between creativity and structure, something I’ve come to enjoy. I’ve had to think not only about how things look, but also how people absorb information, which has sharpened both my marketing instincts and my ability to think from the user’s experience.

Recently, I had the opportunity to represent Diáfano at a citywide Principal Expo attended by over 800 school leaders. It was an intense but empowering experience. I spoke to dozens of principals, many of whom expressed interest in bringing our language programs to their schools. By the end of the day, I helped secure over 30 qualified leads and even scheduled meetings with key decision-makers. It pushed me outside of my comfort zone, but also showed me how far I’ve come in terms of confidence and communication.

Working in a startup environment has shown me how valuable adaptability, initiative, and clear communication are. I’ve also realized that being organized is a power when juggling creative projects, deadlines, and outreach at the same time.

After graduation, I hope to pursue a career in brand strategy or creative direction, ideally in a space where I can build not just campaigns, but also new ideas. I want to create work that is bold, unexpected, and compelling. As someone with a sharp eye for detail and deep commitment to quality, I want the freedom to tap into the more unconventional corners of my imagination. While I’ve always considered myself a city girl, living off of the energy, drive, and diversity, I also find my creativity in the calm, open environments. I am open to building a career here in the city. I am flexible and curious about opportunities that can let me explore different worlds. My dream job would involve leading campaigns that make people feel seen, inspired or better understood.

If I could give advice to future interns thinking about applying to this program, I'd say go for it even if you're unsure. The best learning often happens when you're slightly outside of your comfort zone. This internship has taught me more than I expected about marketing, design, and even about myself.