By Noa Bremen and Iniya Saravanan
Abridge
Entering the Abridge headquarters (a nondescript warehouse, not even on Google Maps!), we knew it was going to be a special visit. Abridge is the youngest company we’ve visited, and despite being a multi-billion-dollar business today, Abridge has retained the community-oriented, energizing environment of a young startup. Following a tour of their beautiful office space, we got to hear from COO and Duke alum Julia Chou about Abridge’s mission to reduce physician burnout through their AI note-taking tool. As Julia shared, “Healthcare starts with conversations,” and Abridge wants physicians to be able to have those interactions with patients without worrying about the stress of charting and documentation.
The highlight of the visit was getting to test out the product through a live demonstration, with students acting out the roles of a doctor and patient! Our hypothetical patient had a run-in with a raccoon when trying to take out the trash…
Abridge reminded us that “how we work is just as important as what we build,” and the visit left us inspired and energized!
YouTube
Our visit to YouTube was one of the most memorable experiences of the program so far. We had the opportunity to meet several Duke alumni working in product management and software engineering, including one alum who had previously participated in Duke in Silicon Valley. It was inspiring to hear how the program helped shape her path into tech and product.
One of the most valuable parts of the visit was getting to ask questions about their careers, day-to-day work, and experiences working on products used by millions of people. The conversations made many of the ideas we’ve discussed in class, such as product development, feel much more real and tangible. We also got to explore the YouTube campus, which reflected the company’s creative and collaborative culture. Overall, the visit was both insightful and exciting because it showed how Duke alumni have successfully built impactful careers in tech.
ScaleAI
AI is everywhere we go (a main talking point at each company, present in the classroom, and featured on every highway billboard), but what enables this technology to run? At Scale AI, we learned the answer is the data. We got to meet with Tommy Hessel, a Duke alum working as a product manager, who gave us a tour of the company and answered our many questions about how Scale AI creates large data sets to fuel the current state and future of AI. Everything from data on heart ECGs to the possibility of laundry-folding robots was covered!
Amidst all the technology, the major takeaway had nothing to do with tech at all. Tommy shared his most valuable advice is that “life moves at the speed of relationships.” So, making the most of our time at Duke and in Silicon Valley may mean stepping back from our computers and investing in our relationships.
Our visit to LinkedIn gave us a great look into both the company culture and the variety of roles that contribute to building products at scale. We were given a full office tour by several employees, including a Duke alum, and it was interesting to see the different workspaces and collaborative environments throughout the building. One of the highlights of the tour was the beautiful view from the top floors of the office, which made the experience even more memorable.
After the tour, we participated in a panel where we had the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about their work. The panel included a software engineer working on LinkedIn Ads, a team member in Strategic Finance focused on the LinkedIn Feed, and a product manager working on LinkedIn Games. It was especially interesting to hear how people in very different roles collaborate to shape the platform and improve the user experience. One of the most valuable parts of the visit was hearing about their career paths, day-to-day responsibilities, and perspectives on working in tech. The conversation was extremely helpful for understanding the many ways people can contribute within a large technology company.
Noa is a rising junior from Chicago, IL, who is studying Neuroscience and Economics. On campus, she is involved with Duke Impact Investing Group, a neuroscience Bass Connections team, and the nonprofit Challah for Hunger. For Noa, Duke in Silicon Valley is an opportunity to explore the intersection of science and entrepreneurship. She is excited to tap into Silicon Valley’s energy and passion, especially given her interest in bringing new neuroscience technology to the public through startups. In her free time, Noa enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, and trying new restaurants with friends.
Iniya is a rising sophomore from Bernardsville, New Jersey, who plans to major in Computer Science with a minor in Visual Arts, while also pursuing an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Certificate. At Duke, she is involved in DTech, the Society of Women Engineers, and Duke Puppy Kindergarten, and will be serving as an Experiential Orientation Leader. Iniya is especially interested in the intersection of computer science, technology, and art, and is passionate about exploring how creative expression can be enhanced through technical innovation. She loves spending time at the Arts Annex on campus, where she often works on pottery projects and paintings. In her free time, Iniya enjoys traveling and discovering new places and perspectives, which continue to inspire both her creative and academic interests.
