Intern Insights: "My Experience as an empatiX Explorer"

Coming into the empatiX Explorer program, I expected long hours buried in spreadsheets, disconnected from the people actually using the work. What I found instead was a team that made sure I never felt like just an intern, even on my very first day.

Now returning for my second summer as an Explorer, I've had the chance to work close to the client-facing side of the business, building out presentations and market research that go directly in front of clients in the health insurance and insurance space. I've helped shape decks used for real client conversations, including a thought leadership study built around economic pressure and shifting consumer trust, and a kickoff presentation for a new data center insurance partnership. Along the way, I've gotten more comfortable turning raw research and messy feedback into something a client can actually sit down and act on, which has taught me more about clear communication than any class could have.

The projects, though, aren't what I'll remember most. It's the team. From my first summer here to now, people have made time for me. They've answered my questions, looped me into meetings I didn't technically need to be in, and treated my input like it mattered even when I was still learning the ropes. Nobody made me feel like I had to earn a seat at the table before I could speak up, and that made all the difference in how quickly I actually started contributing.

That kind of culture isn't something you can fake, and it's a big part of why I keep coming back. Two summers in, I've watched how this team operates under real deadlines and real client stakes, and I've come away with a much better sense of what good, thoughtful work actually looks like day to day.

Thank you to the whole empatiX team for two summers that gave me a real seat at the table. I'm carrying forward a much clearer picture of what good client work looks like, and I'm looking forward to continuing to support that work throughout the year, not just over the summer.