Aditya Raina is now on his second stint as an intern with Pixafy. He says he thought he could learn even more; we prefer the term “glutton for punishment.” But we’re happy to have him back! Here’s an interview we conducted with him upon his return.
Q: How did you discover Pixafy?
I discovered Pixafy when I first met Uri. We had a mutual friend who knew I was looking for an internship, and he introduced us to each other in a bar (which I was legally not allowed to be in at the time). After a few emails, my first internship with Pixafy began.
Q: Where are you originally from? Do you still have family there? Do you have any siblings? If so, what do they do? Any significant/insignificant others? Children? Pets?
I am originally from India, and moved to the US when I was 5. My grandparents are still there now. I have an older brother, who is living in Ann Arbor, Michigan completing his PhD in Finance from the University of Michigan. I had a pet turtle, but it ran away. Quite sad actually, and slightly ironic.
Q: Where are you going to school, and what are you studying?
I go to school at Columbia University where I am studying Economics (Financial Economics to be exact). I will be a senior this coming year.
Q: Any mentors/other people who’ve been particularly instrumental in your direction to date?
My grandfather because he is truly inspiring, and Kim Kardashian because she made something out of nothing.
Q: You previously interned with Pixafy; why did you come back?
Because I am insane. But on a more serious note, because I thought I had learned a great deal about the company and made some great connections with people, and I wanted to build upon this to see what I was capable of. I am now finding out that there is quite a bit to learn, and I think the challenge in that is another justification for my return to Pixafy.
When Raina left the first time, we gave him an (admittedly poor) shirt as a goodbye present.
Q: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far at Pixafy?
Product imports into Magento are the worst, and they kill cute baby seals.
Q: Hobbies/interests outside of work?
I enjoy traveling, which is why I took a sabbatical from Pixafy to live in London. And I think I enjoy television way more than the average person, which is not safe. But I balance it out with my fair share of reading, and short story writing.
Q: What kind of music do you listen to?
Music is another hobby/interest. Listen to all sorts, but in particular I would say alternative, electronic, downtempo, and SOME of the pop hits. Basically I am open to anything that is catchy.
Q: Qualities you most admire in others (non-Pixafy employees)?
Integrity. Humor. And being a conversationalist.
Q: Any pet peeves?
Forced conversations. Stuck up cats. Overly organized people because they make me self-conscious. Over achievers. Basically any one who has their life better put together than me…
Q: You studied abroad for a year in London; what did you take away from your time there?
I learned that although New York City is the greatest city in the world, there is, unfortunately, a world outside of it. Oh, and that the English live in their own personal little bubble, just like us…except theirs is a lot smaller.
Q: Any unusual hobbies that we should know about?
I feel like coin and stamp collecting has become fairly unusual these days, and I do a bit of that. Other than that, I’m fairly normal.
Q: If you won the proverbial lottery, what would you do with your windfall?
No one ever says that they would quit their job and start spending their new-found money as soon and as fast as possible. I am going to go with that.
Q: What’s something that no one at Pixafy knows about you (until now)?
I don’t actually like Excel. GASP!
