Yangcheng Dai’s summer job was helping others get hired. Thanks to the Whitehead Internship Program, which funds summer work experience related to entrepreneurial endeavors, small-business enterprise, venture capital, and finance, the rising junior spent his summer in Washington, D.C., as an intern for GiftedHIRE, a startup that connects employers and top entry-level talent from across the country that was co-founded by Nick Farina '10.

In his role, the math major conducted market research, basic data analysis, and product development for the organization. He loved the opportunity to live in and explore D.C., and his favorite part of his internship was “being able to work in a small team setting where everyone is super smart and friendly.”

“The sense of responsibility that comes from working at a small startup keeps me motivated,” Dai says. “GiftedHIRE is also at a critical pivoting stage from a business perspective, and I’m grateful to have been involved in it.”

His experiences both inside and outside the classroom at Haverford helped him develop the analytical and communication skills needed for his internship. And, in fact,  he saw a parallel between his internship and his on-campus job as a student volunteer in the Admission Office.

“Working in the Admission Office, I talk to high school students regularly and enjoy helping them find the right college,” he says. “I saw much similarity in GiftedHIRE, which helps people find the right career.”

-Jamauri Bowles ’17

“Summer Centered” is a series exploring our students’ Center-funded summer work.