Peter Hartshorne

Acend is a start up that builds software to sell new kinds of insurance.

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During the first week of my internship I tested to make sure that the algorithm that applied the rates for all of the insurance policies was working properly. To do this, I worked off a spreadsheet of corresponding user data and expected results. For each row of the spreadsheet, I made a user account with matching data and purchased coverage. I would then compare my result with the expected result in the spreadsheet and see if there were any errors. My next project was to ensure that after a purchase was made all of the desired documents were downloadable and appearing with the correct data, so I made more accounts from every state that we are launching in and compared the actual result with the desired result and reported back on any inconsistencies.

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As a start up, the work environment is casual. There are only 1 or 2 other people in the office at a time besides the other interns. What I like most so far is how nice and casual everybody is, but more importantly how they all act as mentors for me as a newcomer into their field.

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I am already learning a lot through hands on experience and am able to see firsthand how business practices and normal work flow is conducted. Our first product launches on Monday and I am excited to have taken a part in its success and cannot wait to see what other projects I get to take part in.