I've been putting this post off, because writing it makes it real.
Three months ago I landed in the Bay Area with two suitcases, knowing almost no one. It went by faster than any summer of my life. Before I could catch my breath I was on a flight home, with a camera roll full of memories and a few tears I didn't expect.
So here it is: that's a wrap on my summer at Robinhood.
At the start of the summer, Vlad told us it would all come down to three ships: mentorship, friendship, ownership. On day one, it sounded like a nice slogan. It took me three months to realize it was a promise, because I got all three. I was mentored by people who cared about far more than my code. I made friendships I didn't think three months could build. And I was trusted with real ownership of work built for everyday investors, which is a feeling no classroom can teach.
There are too many people to thank properly, but let me try, one by one.
To everyone I had the honor of working with: thank you for treating an intern like a real engineer.
To my team: thank you for the joy, the laughter, and the insights about life that had nothing to do with work, and for having my back when I needed it. You made a new place feel like home.
To my mentor: I came for guidance and left with one of my closest friends. Thank you for both.
To the interns of Menlo Park: thank you for the best intern activities anyone could ask for, and for making sure there was always something to look forward to. I hope we stay this close for a very long time.
To Vlad Tenev: thank you for every chat, for listening when I presented my work, and for the opportunity to work on democratizing finance for all this summer. I hope I did my small part.
To the Duke alumni, the founders, and everyone I met across the Bay: thank you for your stories and your generosity. I spent a summer surrounded by some of the most talented founders, students, and builders in the world, including one random weekend chatting with Boris Cherny at YC Startup School.
The work was great. The people made it the best summer of my life.
If we crossed paths this summer, don't be a stranger. Back to Duke for my final year, with a lot more than the two suitcases I came with. Excited for what's next.