The following essay was written by Shruti Bhide, an associate scientist on the delivery bioengineering team, reflecting on her first day at Earli.
I arrived at Belmont station at 8.45 am and quickly mapped out the 11-minute bike ride to 1400 Bridge Parkway.
I was determined to start my first day at Earli on the right foot. As I reached the building’s front door, my heart raced with excitement and anxiety. I wondered if I would fit in. Zoom interviews are one thing, but face-to-face? It's a whole different ball game.
After hesitating, I decided to take the plunge and head to the first floor.
The office itself was a perfect mix of modern aesthetics and functionality.
The white desk and blue walls had a vibe that was both "let's get stuff done" and "chill out" at the same time. Suna welcomed me to the office and helped me get started with the onboarding process. As I settled in, smiling at unfamiliar faces, I wondered how and when to introduce myself. I decided to wait until lunch and dove into my onboarding checklist.
To my surprise, Cyriac, fresh from a recent trip — stopped by to personally welcome me. This gesture from the company's leader spoke volumes about the culture at Earli.
Throughout the day, I met more of my new colleagues, and each interaction reinforced my strong sense of community. By the end of the day, my initial anxiety had transformed into a sense of belonging.
This warm reception did wonders for my confidence.
In the following weeks, I often heard the sound of a gong in the office.
With each strike, attention shifted to the person by the gong who was announcing exciting news like a new hire or approved patent. I had never seen a whole company
getting happy about the addition of one new employee.
But at Earli, every victory was a shared victory that reinforced the company’s inclusive culture.
Earli sits at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and informatics, which means bringing together people from various fields to work toward a common goal.
I quickly realized I wasn’t just starting a new job; I was joining a mission-driven team focused on life-changing innovations. Conversations flowed freely, ranging from casual catch-ups to intense project discussions. Before I knew it, I found myself engrossed in fascinating conversations about the latest developments in cancer research and innovative diagnostic techniques. What struck me most was how my opinions were sought and valued, despite being the newest member of the team.
At Earli, hierarchy takes a backseat to collaboration. Everyone's input is actively encouraged, which fosters a culture of growth and innovation.
Culture at Earli is like air. Each employee breathes into it with their unique skills.
The collaborative spirit, the cutting-edge work, and the genuine warmth of my colleagues had turned my apprehension into enthusiasm. Time flew by fast as I immersed myself in projects and experiments.
On a recent Monday morning, I saw a new face enter the office with the same nervousness I had felt on my first day. It was then I realized I had seamlessly transitioned from being the new hire to a member of Earli’s family.
I greeted her with a smile. “Welcome to Earli. Don't worry, you’ll be fine—it’s just first-day jitters.”
