Diving into a Fast-Paced Startup: My Journey as an Early-Career Designer

Jaden Snyder, COL ’25, Ridgefield, CT

In the Summer of 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the early-stage startup Zero-True, with the valuable support of Penn’s Career Services Summer Award. Zero-True is a cutting-edge company offering an AI-powered data analysis tool that streamlines data discovery, transforming complex datasets into detailed reports for stakeholders. In my role as head of design, I led the development of a fully optimized landing page, where I applied and enhanced my skills in UX Design, Motion Design, and Branding. Working closely with cross-functional teams, I gained crucial experience in facilitating effective communication between designers and software developers, a key factor in ensuring alignment between creative vision and technical execution.

At Zero-True, each week brought a new design sprint, often requiring long hours to meet our ambitious objectives. Every day presented fresh challenges, with a shared goal of creating a scalable product that would grow alongside the company. I found the fast-paced environment exhilarating, driven by a small yet determined team committed to delivering a product that surpassed industry standards. This energetic atmosphere inspired me to continuously innovate and adapt, ensuring our designs were not only practical but also forward-looking.

A major part of my internship involved direct collaboration with the software development team to build a scalable design system that would lay the groundwork for Zero-True’s future features. This task involved diving into backend coding principles and mastering the complexities of design token architecture. Through this process, I gained a deeper understanding of how a company can expand while maintaining brand consistency, a vital aspect of sustainable growth. I actively sought continuous feedback, ensuring that my design decisions aligned with the broader goals of the development team. This collaborative effort not only sharpened my technical skills but also underscored the importance of clear, consistent communication in achieving seamless project execution across teams.

This incredible experience wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Penn Career Services Summer Award. The program allowed me to fully immerse myself in this transformative learning opportunity, and I am deeply grateful for the resources and guidance provided by Penn. My time at Zero-True has been a defining chapter in my career, and I am eager to continue working with the company throughout the school year. I look forward to sharing further updates on my progress and contributions as the year advances.

This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2024 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. 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

By Career Services
Career Services