VitaTalk Ep. 25

elliebecker35
Sep 1
3 min read

Adaptability in Action: Intern Kemry Stich on Thriving in a Startup Environment

In this episode of VitaTalk, host Eli Rehmann sits down with Kemry Stich, a sales and marketing intern at VitaTek, to talk about adaptability, teamwork, and the value of diving into all aspects of a business, especially in a startup setting.

A First Internship Unlike Any Other

For Kemry, this summer marks his first internship experience. Coming off two years at Normandale Community College and preparing to enter his junior year at the University of Minnesota, he admits VitaTek was “not what I expected at all, but in the best way.”

Instead of a rigid playbook and narrowly defined responsibilities, Kemry found himself in an environment where learning was hands-on, cross-departmental, and fast-paced. “I can flip through all the chapters instead of just being confined to one space,” he says.

Learning Across the Board

Kemry’s role has exposed him to tasks far beyond sales and marketing, everything from planning company trips to stepping into logistics and shipping responsibilities when needed. When VitaTek’s VP of Finance, who typically handled device shipments, took a leave, Kemry jumped in to manage the process.

While shipping may not be glamorous, he found value in seeing the full life cycle of a product, from prototype to delivery. “You walk around here and see where it’s made, then you get to ship it out. It’s cool to see the whole process.”

Adaptability and Attitude

Kemry identifies adaptability as one of his strongest skills, embracing both major projects and smaller, less glamorous tasks with the same enthusiasm. He also prides himself on his ability to connect with people and foster genuine relationships, a trait that aligns perfectly with his sales and marketing focus.

His mindset is simple: “I’m not above anything. Whether it’s taking out the trash or shipping a device, I look at it as helping push something forward.”

Company Culture as a Growth Engine

One of Kemry’s favorite parts of the internship has been VitaTek’s team dynamic. Engineers, marketers, sales staff, and leadership all work closely together, keeping communication open and eliminating the silos common in larger organizations.

“No one is above or below a certain task,” he says. “We all have that common goal, and we feed off each other’s energy.” That integration means interns are constantly learning about every stage of the business, from client conversations to technical development.

Advice for Other Interns

Kemry’s advice to students seeking internships? Be a generalist early on. “Be open to being a jack of all trades,” he says. “When you’re young, it’s so important to be a sponge.”

He believes the future belongs to those who can think across disciplines and adapt quickly, especially in industries like medtech where collaboration between technical, marketing, and operational teams is critical.

The Takeaway

Kemry’s first internship has been more than just a résumé builder, it’s been a crash course in how startups operate, how teams collaborate, and how embracing every opportunity (big or small) can accelerate personal and professional growth.

🩺 Interested in learning more about life at VitaTek or how we’re reshaping the medical device space? Stay tuned for more episodes of the VitaTalk Podcast!

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