Summer internships are a unique opportunity to explore new possibilities, and at Meta University, the chance to make a real impact is what sets the experience apart. We sat down with Maheen S. for an inside look at how Meta accelerated her career from her internship to entry level product designer to ultimately her current role as a product design manager.
Tell us about your path to Meta.
“When I was still in school, I thought I wanted to be a visual effects artist or filmmaker, until I realized my combined skills in media, architecture, business, and leadership would work together in design. That’s when I got the opportunity to join the Reality Labs team as a product design intern. Before I joined, I had never touched a VR headset, and I didn’t have the domain expertise. Meta recognized that I had talent and potential.”
What was your internship like?
“I quickly realized that Meta has an incredible growth-focused environment—it’s about individual impact, no matter your role. We have a bottoms-up structure and give people the resources necessary to ramp up quickly. I worked on some of my first VR projects during my internship, helping build experiences like 360 photos and videos on the Facebook app, and an immersive app for the GearVR headset called Facebook 360. I was also able to pursue a patent for an interaction I created.”
“My first manager taught me many leadership lessons that are still valuable to me today, like how to ask questions to a person you manage, and how to be supportive instead of directive. He taught me that people should feel empowered to make decisions on their own. Now, I’m passionate about giving people the room to blossom, too.”
What were some reasons you decided to return to Meta after your internship?
“The people brought me back to Meta and continue to keep me here. Some of the most talented people from around the world work here, and I’ve formed lasting relationships with them. At Meta, you can approach anyone for mentorship. I’ve also connected with people outside of my team who have shown me the same type of leadership and support.”
“I also returned to Meta for the opportunity to help push the AR/VR industry forward. We’re creating immersive experiences that appeal to all different types of people and helping them imagine and do things they’ve never done before. I believe the true potential of VR is to make people’s lives better.”
What are some of the ways Meta has helped you grow?
“When I first joined the team, I sometimes suffered from impostor syndrome. However, I came to see it as a blessing in disguise because it meant I was surrounded by incredible, talented people. Whenever I felt self-doubt, I reminded myself that I was there for a reason.”
“The best thing about Meta is that if you want to do something, you can make it happen. One of my dreams was to make a connection with my home country of Pakistan, where I grew up. I helped bring the Meta Innovation Studio there, providing resources for people to build VR experiences. Now, I'm working on projects around ethics in VR, which is an area I'm passionate about.”
“I’ve grown so much since I was an intern, and that’s because I have constant opportunities to learn from my teammates and mentors. Meta invested in me and has provided the perfect environment to accelerate my career.”
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