This summer June 4th 2024, Pollentia had the pleasure of hosting nine talented interns from Manhattan University previously named Manhattan College in a hands-on, immersive internship program. Over the course of three months, these students tackled real-world challenges across software development, data science, and UI design. From interns with little to no experience in the field to those eager to refine their skills, each participant dove headfirst into Pollentia’s mission, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm that energized our entire team.

Our internship program was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and industry experience, allowing students to apply their knowledge in a professional setting. Each intern was paired with industry mentors and took on a series of projects, culminating in a final presentation on June 4th, where they showcased their achievements and insights. We’re proud to introduce our talented interns:

‍Aurora Shahu, John Pantusa, Kalden Dorji, Melvin Estudillo, Taii Simon-Brown, Thanh Nguyen, Justin Balbuena, Shirley Garcia, and Theodore Rice Jr.

Real-World Skill Development

‍Throughout the internship, students gained hands-on experience in areas critical to Pollentia’s work. They developed software solutions, analyzed datasets, and collaborated on UI design projects, gaining exposure to the tools and processes used by industry professionals. For many, this was their first time working in a real-world setting, where deadlines, collaboration, and problem-solving are all essential parts of the job.

‍Software Development: Interns worked on coding projects that supported Pollentia’s internal tools and customer interface, learning best practices, debugging, and team-based code reviews.

‍Data Science: From data cleaning to creating visualizations, interns explored data science’s role in product development and worked with real datasets, applying insights directly to Pollentia’s products.

‍UI Design: Interns collaborated on crafting intuitive, user-friendly interfaces that align with Pollentia’s vision of accessible, intelligent design. They experimented with layouts, color schemes, and interactive elements, gaining feedback from our design team along the way.A

Journey of Growth and Learning

‍For these students, many of whom were just starting out in their careers, the internship was more than just a summer job—it was a journey of growth. By working alongside Pollentia’s experienced professionals, they gained exposure to the realities of a fast-paced, innovative environment. They learned how to adapt to new tools, meet project deadlines, and collaborate with teammates from various backgrounds.

Through team meetings, project checkpoints, and the final presentation, our interns evolved from students into budding professionals. “I came in with decent coding experience, but now I feel comfortable tackling real problems with complex environments,” shared Aurora Shahu. John Pantusa added, “Having the opportunity to work with Pollentia’s Data Science team helped me see what a career in this field really looks like.”

The Culminating Presentation
‍
‍The program concluded on June 4th with a final presentation day, where each intern showcased their projects and shared insights from their experience. It was inspiring to see how far they had come—from navigating their first days in a new field to confidently presenting their work to the Pollentia team. Their presentations highlighted not only their skills but also their enthusiasm for Pollentia’s mission and the electric boating industry.

We’re grateful for the hard work, energy, and fresh ideas these Manhattan University interns brought to Pollentia. This program reinforced our commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent, and we’re excited to see what they will achieve in the future.