Hannah Kim, COL ’27, Livingston, NJ
Wrapping up my freshman spring semester, I was determined to work in the entrepreneurial space during the following summer in any capacity I could. I eagerly accepted my offer at EcoForge, a sustainability building material startup founded by two Ivy graduates. EcoForge was pre-revenue, and I was their first intern. Because of their early stage, I’ve been able to witness dynamic company pivots as well as the resilience it takes to lead a business in a very technical industry. The founders were more than willing to share about their day-to-day operations and even tasked me with various responsibilities, from applying to grants to managing their customer discovery interviews.
Most students perceive startups to embody a “chill” and laidback workspace. These preconceived notions were debunked immediately on my first day, and I am infinitely grateful that I did not have the typical experience. This was a hybrid internship, and thanks to the Career Services Summer Funding Award, I had the chance to work in person at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA—a truly insightful, unique experience. EcoForge participated in an incubator that housed an extensive portfolio of U.S. companies across the climate technology sector. As a matter of fact, their work desk was quite literally located across from one of the largest, million-dollar companies in green tech. Indulging myself in such a vibrant, professional environment was eye-opening, and I enjoyed visiting the lab with one of the founders, who showed me around and explained their current prototype. Having previously worked remotely with only a vague understanding of the company, holding the physical product in my own hands was invaluable and it further stirred my motivation to contribute greatly towards the success of the team. Of course, there were overwhelming moments when I had to keep up with the vigorous pace, from tight deadlines to last minute changes. Some days were also quieter than others. I eventually found my balance and learned to communicate my daily progress, an initiative that the team appreciated.
It is no hyperbole when I say that I have never worked with more diligent, driven individuals. The passion exuded by each founder was incredibly infectious, fostering my own curiosity about the technology behind eco-friendly, bio-based building materials. Operating a startup is the farthest thing from easy, especially when pioneering a newfound technology. As their first intern, I navigated this journey alongside them, learning the reins of closing investor deals, pitching, marketing, sales, budgeting, costs, customer interviews, and more. Their strong work ethic and kindhearted demeanor are what I hope to emulate in my own personal life in the future.
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
