64-Year-Old Intern Becomes Startup’s Secret Weapon, Viral Video Sparks Debate on Age Diversity
A Mumbai startup has gone viral after founder Joshua Salins revealed that hiring a 64-year-old intern was one of the company’s best decisions. The heartwarming video highlighted the senior professional’s experience, mentorship, and influence on workplace culture, sparking discussions on age diversity, learning, and intergenerational collaboration.
Joshua Salins, founder of Hobby Tribe, shared the video on his Instagram account, offering followers a glimpse into the unconventional addition to his startup team. The clip opened with the text, “POV: You have a 64-year-old intern at your startup,” immediately drawing viewers into the story.
The video featured the senior intern seated at his desk, working intently on a laptop with complete focus. It later transitioned to scenes showing him interacting with younger colleagues and addressing team members. On-screen captions highlighted the “priceless knowledge of building and scaling companies” that he brings to the workplace, emphasizing the value of his decades of experience.
Another caption noted that his expertise was helping shape the organisation’s culture and contributing to its overall growth. Salins reinforced the message in the post’s caption, writing, “We just got a 64-year-old intern in the office, and it’s the best decision we’ve made at @hobbytribe_official.”
The video quickly gained traction online, prompting an outpouring of positive reactions from social media users. Many praised the initiative and celebrated the idea that experience, curiosity, and the desire to learn should not be limited by age.
Several users observed that the senior intern appeared to be driven by passion rather than necessity, suggesting that he seemed to be working purely for the joy of learning, contributing, and remaining engaged in a dynamic environment. Others responded with humour, joking that if he ever recommended a shortcut on the road, people should trust his judgment without hesitation because of the wisdom accumulated over decades.
The viral clip also reminded many viewers of the 2015 Hollywood film “The Intern,” starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway. The comedy-drama follows Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who joins a rapidly growing fashion startup as a senior intern and gradually becomes an invaluable mentor and trusted friend to the company’s young founder. Several commenters remarked that the video felt like “The Intern” brought to life.
Beyond its viral appeal, the video has sparked broader conversations about age diversity in modern workplaces. It has highlighted how decades of professional experience can complement the energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives of younger teams, demonstrating that talent, mentorship, and meaningful contributions are not defined by age.

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