Dylan Abel, college student at Brown University, shares his experience working at Buddywise as a Founder’s Associate during the summer of 2023 in Berlin, Germany.
Hello there! I’m thrilled to share my exciting experience as an intern at Buddywise, a promising software engineering and computer vision start-up based in one of the start-up capitals of Europe, Berlin. I couldn’t be more grateful for the knowledge and growth this opportunity has provided while working alongside the Buddywise team. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my experience and opportunities that were given to me during these eight weeks in Berlin.
As a summer intern at Buddywise, I was drawn to this type of opportunity in a fast-paced software engineering and heavy machinery industry that both challenges and excites me. I first found out about Buddywise through the Germany Entrepreneurship Internship Program at my college in the United States, Brown University, where I was eager to gain hands-on experience and explore the world of entrepreneurship and technology. From the moment I joined Buddywise, I was captivated by their dynamic and rapidly growing team, driven by a clear vision to revolutionize workplace safety through cutting-edge technology. The chance to work within such an environment, alongside passionate professionals, presented an exhilarating prospect for my personal and professional growth.
Over the past eight weeks, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in an internship at Buddywise while bridging the gap between classroom learning and a real-world business environment. From day one, I was entrusted with meaningful projects like investigating new cyber security processes or managing our social media presence. Instead of fetching coffee or writing emails, I was encouraged and challenged to dive headfirst into the development process. Whether it was contributing insights during brainstorming meetings or writing a strategy document on penetration tests to bolster cybersecurity, I felt like a valued member of the team, making a genuine impact on the company’s products.
During my time at Buddywise, I learned how the team develops and builds products in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS field). It was interesting to learn how the different teams at Buddywise build these products exactly with the exciting tools Computer Vision has to offer. I learned how to build a prototype first from the idea of building out a version to test with users in the field directly. One of the most rewarding aspects of my internship was the opportunity to work alongside intelligent minds in the field of computer vision and workplace safety software. The camaraderie among team members fostered an environment where knowledge sharing and collaboration were celebrated. My mentors helped guide me through complex concepts, always ensuring I grasped the “why” behind each task, and helping me feel supported with clear explanations of the steps in work to be completed.
One of my favorite projects I worked on was verifying the newest Buddywise prototype, a cutting-edge and user-friendly digital platform, aiming to identify vulnerabilities in workplaces and motivate users to adopt best safety practices. Testing the product with EHS experts allowed me to observe initial reactions and better understand how users want to engage with a platform like Buddywise. I also saw how the computer vision experts remain dedicated to implementing state-of-the-art technologies in the industry while maintaining their commitment to worker privacy and data ethics. The data science team trains AI models using diverse datasets to minimize bias and ensure the platform’s effectiveness for all workers. I had the chance to learn how privacy protection measures, such as face and body-blurring functionalities, further protect workers’ safety and privacy.
Transitioning from prototypes to real-world implementation in the specialized field of EHS is a challenge Buddywise tackles head-on. Co-founder and CEO Lamin Faye’s vision and leadership drive the company forward, balancing the rapidly evolving tech world with the structured realm of workplace safety. I was inspired to witness how the Buddywise leadership convinces users to embrace innovative technology to prioritize their workers’ well-being, showing how it can be used to help — not harm — individuals. Working alongside the other co-founder Yigit Arin has also been an enlightening experience seeing how tech is used in real-life businesses. With a forward-thinking approach, Yigit continuously plans for the startup’s future, ensuring its sustainable growth and success. I saw how his technical expertise plays a pivotal role in positioning Buddywise as a pioneer in the field of workplace safety.
During my internship at Buddywise, I have gained invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and workplace safety while witnessing the positive impact that Buddywise makes in this field. I am grateful to Nadine Isabel Levin, Product Manager at Buddywise, for providing a holistic internship experience and imparting a wealth of knowledge and industry expertise. As my internship comes to a close, I am eager to carry these skills into future endeavors, believing in the power of technology to shape a better tomorrow. To all aspiring interns, embrace opportunities in startups that push the boundaries of technology, for it is within these environments that the future takes shape.