Haihui Zhu

Navigating New Waters: My Transformative Summer Internship with Nutrible

I’m Haihui Zhu, a rising 5th year Ph.D. candidate majoring in Environmental/Chemical Engineering at the McKelvy School of Engineering. I had the privilege of interning at Nutrible, a dynamic startup in the healthcare and technology sector that’s changing the game in connecting healthcare resources, nutrition guidance, and advisory services.

A Glimpse into Nutrible:

Nutrible, with a small but passionate team of nine, is on a mission to revolutionize the way we approach healthcare and nutrition. They’re tackling an array of critical tasks, from grant writing to building an innovative platform and reaching out to potential partners. My journey with Nutrible allowed me to participate in and get a test of all these exciting ventures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

The first week was about understanding the intricate web of emergency food programs across the United States. It was a fantastic way for us interns to familiarize ourselves with each other, with the company and the industry. Soon enough, I started delving into the platform-building process. I found myself in the role of a “product manager,” working closely with our talented software engineer. This role required timely communication with other managers and the engineer. To streamline this, we established a shared “product request tracking sheet” and initiated weekly meetings to discuss detailed deployments. This not only helped in efficient project management but also enhanced overall productivity and collaboration.

In addition to working closely with our software engineer on platform development, I also had the chance to create some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), make a product demo video, and assist with talent searching. This multifaceted involvement allowed me to truly embody the concept of cross-functional collaboration, contributing to various facets of Nutrible’s operations.

A Journey of Learning:

One of my favorite aspects of this internship was the opportunity to work on projects that were entirely new to me. Coming from a background primarily rooted in environmental science and engineering, I had limited knowledge of the U.S. healthcare system. This internship provided a unique platform for me to showcase my adaptability and learning skills in an entirely unfamiliar industry.

Learning about healthcare systems, nutrition resources, and the intricacies of advisory services was a thrilling challenge. It allowed me to broaden my horizons, develop new skill sets, and gain valuable insights that will undoubtedly benefit me in my future career endeavors and entrepreneurial aspirations.

In conclusion, my summer internship with Nutrible has been an eye-opening and transformative experience. It’s shown me the power of cross-functional teamwork, the thrill of venturing into uncharted territory, and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly evolving job market. I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and the lessons I’ve learned during this journey, and I can’t wait to see where my newfound knowledge and skills will take me in the future.