This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Ground Game Ventures and participate in REVelry, a sales training program designed to create dorm-room sellers and Go-To-Market (GTM) specialists. My titles were Venture Associate and REVeler, and both changed the way I think about startups, sales, and business altogether.
At Ground Game, I researched early-stage B2B SaaS startups and worked directly with deal flow automation tools like Clay, Cursor, and Aviato. One of my proudest accomplishments was building an automated sourcing workflow in Cursor, which streamlined our scouting process and gave our team a sharper edge on uncovering high-potential founders. Alongside this, I earned Sandler Sales Certification through REVelry, equipping me with skills in GTM execution, active listening, and consultative sales — things you can’t just learn in a classroom. Dr. Dunaway spoke about how much of business cannot be learned in the classroom and Josh (one of the partners at GG) could not agree more. These experiences offered a new understanding and approach to learning.
More than anything, I learned that sales is the backbone of every company, especially in the early stages. It’s often stigmatized, but my experience reshaped that perception entirely. Sales isn’t about being pushy — it’s about solving problems, asking better questions, and creating value. And that realization has shifted how I think about my long-term career goals.
On a personal level, I learned how to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whether it was picking up the phone, pitching a founder, or pushing through an unfamiliar tech stack, I leaned into hard situations and asked the tough questions. I saw my Achiever, Command, and Communication strengths come alive — and I left the summer with not only more confidence but also more curiosity.
Big thanks to the Stephenson Institute and the Wabash Small Business Internship Fund for supporting this experience. I’m also incredibly grateful to Josh Kline ’99, Aman Brar, Jared Adams, Matt Nettleton, the entire REVelry program, Dr. Dunaway, and Dr. Dan D’Amico — all of whom played a role in shaping my growth this summer.
To quote Josh’s favorite line:
“Trap Game Hard, Rap Game Easy.”
This internship was hard. But it made the future feel easier.
