With a passion for meaningful communication and creating positive change: Dea Mataj and her internship experience with ONLYOFFICE

We continue our series of interviews with our wonderful interns who help us make ONLYOFFICE better and better every day. Today, Dea Mataj from Albania shares her insights and experiences and tells us what her internship with ONLYOFFICE looks like. Read this post to learn more.

Personal background

Please briefly introduce yourself.

My journey began when I took a leap and moved to a completely new country to study International Relations. It started as an adventure, and along the way, I explored marketing, HR, translation and nonprofit work. Each experience helped me grow, connect with different cultures, and strengthened my passion for meaningful communication and creating positive change.

What was your inspiration behind pursuing this particular career path or field of study?

Well, actually marketing wasn’t originally part of my career plan. However, that changed when I took on the role of Marketing and PR Manager at AIESEC Serbia, one of the largest international nonprofit organizations in the world. Through this experience, I discovered a genuine passion for marketing. It gave me the opportunity to apply my background in international relations in a practical, impactful way, engaging with diverse audiences, promoting global initiatives, and crafting messages that resonate across cultures. I found myself drawn to the balance of creativity and strategy required in marketing, and I’ve been inspired ever since to build a career where I can create meaningful brand connections that drive positive change.

The one person (a mentor, teacher or public figure) who has influenced your professional journey so far?

One person who has significantly influenced my professional journey is my coworker at ONLYOFFICE, Sergey. His positive attitude, constant encouragement, and willingness to share his knowledge have made a lasting impact on me. Sergey has not only helped me grow in my role by teaching me new skills, but he’s also inspired me to stay curious and passionate about my work. His support and mentorship have played a key role in shaping my mindset and approach to continuous learning and improvement.

What’s a fun or quirky fact about you that your team might not know?

One fun fact about me is that I am reading four books at the same time. One month ago I decided to challenge myself by starting four books at the same time, which seemed like a fun way to explore different stories and genres. However, I’ve only managed to finish one so far, as keeping up with all of them has proven to be more difficult than I expected!

ONLYOFFICE experience

What’s the one surprising thing you discovered about ONLYOFFICE after joining?

One surprising thing I discovered is how well-organized and efficient remote collaboration can be when the right tools and mindset are in place. I expected some challenges to be honest with communication or coordination, but the systems and culture at ONLYOFFICE made everything smooth and productive from day one.

Have you had any memorable moments with your team or fellow interns?

Although I didn’t have many direct interactions with the other interns, I still felt a strong sense of connection throughout the remote experience. There was a quiet but meaningful atmosphere of encouragement with lots of moments like seeing someone cheer on a teammate’s success or share their excitement about new opportunity. These small but genuine moments made it clear that community can thrive, even without regular personal interaction.

Is there a particular value or practice at ONLYOFFICE that resonates with you?

The value that resonates with me most is transparency. Whether it’s about goals, feedback, or project expectations, everything is shared openly. That level of trust and clarity creates a supportive environment where you feel empowered to contribute and grow.

If you could describe your internship experience in three words, what would they be and why?

If I had to describe my internship at ONLYOFFICE in three words, they would be:

• insightful – because I gained valuable hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of marketing strategies in a real-world environment;
• collaborative – because I worked closely with a supportive and talented team;
• motivating – because the positive work culture and continuous learning opportunities inspired me to grow both professionally and personally.

How has this internship influenced your career goals?

This internship has given me a clearer insight into how collaborative and innovative the tech industry can be, especially in a remote environment. It’s helped me sharpen my communication skills, gain hands-on experience, and realize how much I enjoy working in a flexible, international team. It’s definitely encouraged me to pursue a career path that combines technology, teamwork, and global collaboration.

Skill development and motivation

Can you share a project you worked on during your internship that you’re particularly proud of?

During my internship, I translated the ONLYOFFICE suite into Albanian, my native language. I worked on localizing the interface and ensuring the terminology was accurate and culturally appropriate. It was a rewarding experience to help make a widely used software tool more accessible to Albanian-speaking users.

What tools or skills have you picked up that you think will be useful in your future career?

During my internship, I learned many things, but one of the most valuable was improving my Spanish. I translated blog articles from English to Spanish, which helped me enhance my language skills and gain experience in written communication, something that will be very useful in my future career, especially in international environments.

How do you stay motivated and productive during remote work?

To stay motivated and productive during remote work, I set a structured daily routine with clear goals and deadlines. I also create a dedicated workspace free from distractions and take short breaks to stay focused. Regular communication with my team helps me stay connected and accountable, which keeps my motivation high.

Future plans

What’s your dream job or company (besides ONLYOFFICE, of course)?

Honestly, I don’t have one specific dream company I’ve always aimed for, but I can say that ONLYOFFICE has definitely set the bar high. I’d love to continue working here or somewhere with a similar culture: remote-friendly, forward-thinking, and open to creativity and personal growth.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

In five years, I see myself in a role where I’m not only confident in my skills but also mentoring others who are just starting out, ideally still working remotely, contributing to meaningful projects, and continuing to learn and grow in a dynamic, tech-driven environment.

Start your internship with ONLYOFFICE

Do you want to join our PR and marketing team as an intern and get valuable experience? Send your resume and cover letter to marketing@onlyoffice.com and indicate “job title + your name” in the email subject. We would love to hear from you!

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