By: Saamya G.
When I began the Tech and Innovation internship at Coded by, I was stepping into a space that I was really excited for but also unfamiliar with and nervous about. I had basic experience with design, but never in a formal work setting, now suddenly taking on the role of a UI/UX designer. On top of that, working in a new city for the program made this an even bigger step, so I was filled with both curiosity and uncertainty.
Developing Patience
The first few weeks actually felt quite exciting as we learned about startups and different aspects of tech. I explored areas of technology I had never heard of before and researched problems I was passionate about helping solve. Yet as we went further, I began to face setbacks. Problem validation became tedious, and I found myself constantly going back to the drawing board.
Through that experience, I developed patience. I realized that good ideas rarely come fully formed on the first try. Facing challenges taught me the importance of stepping back, refining ideas, and continuing to move forward to reach the best possible outcome. Although the validation process was difficult, understanding its necessity was a critical part of the learning experience.
Developing Empathy
Another significant skill I learned was to be understanding. Much of the UI/UX process involved really stepping into the shoes of potential users and understanding how the challenges they face truly affect them. Being able to approach design with an empathy for the users became essential as my team continued to progress.
Once my team had a solid problem to work on, we moved into the solution ideation stage. This was one of my favorite parts. Thinking creatively about different ideas and features was exciting, and seeing our ideas start to take shape into an MVP was really rewarding.
From there, I was able to apply more of my design skills to creating prototypes, while keeping in mind the wants and needs of users. I worked with different designs, placements, and through feedback and iterations, I helped develop a prototype that our team was proud of.
Developing Confidence
By that time the showcase was a week away, and my group had spent hours creating and refining our pitch deck. This stage was both the most challenging and the most valuable. I practiced presenting in front of an audience and gained confidence in explaining our work. We faced tough questions and feedback that sometimes made me question our concept, but responding to those challenges ultimately strengthened our product.
When the day of the showcase arrived, we had the opportunity to reconnect with people we had met during site visits and share the work we had done. Presenting our MVP and showing how far we had come since the start of the summer was a moment of pride.
If I were to take anything away from the internship, it would be that you are more capable than you think. At the start, I worried that my lack of professional experience in tech and UI/UX design would hold me back. By the end, I had learned to take risks and how to tackle new challenges. I gained knowledge about different fields in tech, applied design skills in a professional setting, and my team and I even developed a mockup of a product with real potential. I am proud of what I have accomplished with Coded by: during the Tech and Innovation Internship 2025. This experience has inspired me to continue exploring the tech field, knowing that with persistence and an open mind, I can take on challenges I once thought were beyond me.
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The Tech & Innovation Internship gives high school and college students the opportunity to receive hands-on experience in a fast-paced, innovative startup environment, gaining valuable skills and the chance to make strategic connections in the tech and startup industries.
The 2025 internship was made possible thanks to our sponsors: Aberdeen Charitable Foundation, The Hamilton Family Charitable Trust, Target, Comcast NBCUniversal, Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, SEI, Seer Interactive, KPMG, (Be) Philly Foundation, SAP, and United Way.
Interested in sponsoring Coded by: programs? Reach out to our development team.
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