Lisa Friedmann, SEAS Masters in Computer and Information Technology, 2023
As my internship at ReGoods comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a journey that has deepened my passion for sustainability, circular economy, and software engineering. Working with a dedicated team at a startup that aims to reduce furniture landfill and empower UPenn students and Philly residents to buy and sell pre-loved furniture was both inspiring and rewarding. Throughout the summer, I had the privilege of collaborating with the CTO and fellow interns to build a new website from scratch and of working directly with the founder on new marketing initiatives.
The initial phase of my internship centered around developing a new website for ReGoods. The CTO led the way, and I was thrilled to be part of the front-end development team. Our goal was to create an intuitive and user-friendly interface that would encourage customers to submit their items for sale on our platform. We designed a comprehensive form that allowed users to upload essential information about their furniture, including its type, age, condition, and images.
After a few weeks, I found myself leading the front-end development. The newfound responsibility was both exciting and challenging, and I realized the power of teamwork in driving meaningful impact while collaborating closely with the CTO and fellow interns.
Incorporating feedback and adapting to new requirements from users, the CEO, and UX/UI designers taught me the importance of agility in a startup environment. The constant evolution of our project fueled my desire to excel and adapt, making me feel like an integral part of the company’s success.
In the second phase of my internship, we recognized an urgent need to enhance the Squarespace website, which was critical for our summer sales. I took on the challenge of learning how to incorporate code injections in Squarespace, enabling us to implement ideas from the marketing team swiftly, like improving the filtering and search options on our website. One of the most rewarding tasks was creating a personalized recommendation algorithm, which allowed us to send tailored emails to customers, enticing them to add more items.
Beyond my technical contributions, the dynamic nature of working in a startup exposed me to a diverse range of tasks, from marketing and sales to software engineering. This comprehensive exposure offered me valuable insights into the complexities of running a business. The experience reaffirmed my belief in the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and collaboration across departments to achieve collective goals.
I am grateful to ReGoods for giving me the privilege of contributing to a platform that embraces sustainability, while simultaneously honing my technical skills and exploring various facets of a startup’s operations. Working alongside a passionate team that believes in the vision of a circular economy was truly inspiring.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 GAPSA Summer Internship Funding Program that is coordinated by Penn Career Services. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here.
