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When I received my offer letter from Nayya during my final weeks at UC Davis, I knew this wasn't just another internship—it was the start of something transformative.
My college years were filled with Math and CS classes that sharpened my technical skills and analytical thinking. But Nayya gave me something more valuable: the opportunity to apply that knowledge to solve real-world problems that genuinely matter. This wasn't just a healthcare company developing AI solutions—it was an experience that introduced me to the benefits industry and showed me what data science could accomplish when purpose-driven.
Let me take you through my journey as a Data Science Intern at Nayya, where I discovered that technology's true power lies not in complexity, but in creative problem-solving.
Stepping into my first "real company building" in the bustling heart of New York City was both intimidating and exhilarating. The 18th-floor orientation began with a warm welcome from the People team that immediately put me at ease. The genuine friendliness and inviting atmosphere made me feel at home from day one.
However, as I dove into the orientation materials, I faced my first challenge: the benefits industry was completely foreign territory. Terms like "401(k) plans" and "HSAs" might as well have been a different language. Despite feeling initially lost, I was confident in my ability to absorb this new knowledge—and I was right to be.
After setup and onboarding, I was guided to my workspace where I observed experienced engineers crafting sophisticated Python programs. As I connected to the AWS VPN and cloned GitHub repositories, my manager introduced himself as my onboarding buddy and welcomed me to the team. The positive atmosphere was infectious. My first day culminated with meetings with both the CTO and CPO during an intern gathering—experiences that cemented my excitement for Nayya's dynamic startup environment.
My data science journey at Nayya perfectly illustrated the classic joke: "Data Science is 90% processing and 10% modeling." My first major project involved Nayya's Claims Advocate Product, where I created knowledge bases for AWS Bedrock to generate appeal letters. This meant writing Python scripts to extract data from millions of publicly available research PDFs, converting them into actionable CSVs with detailed records of variant names, imaging procedures, and appropriateness categories.
This project became a practical application of vector embeddings to train LLMs. I built comprehensive knowledge bases from CSVs and JSONs in S3 buckets, enabling Bedrock to answer user prompts with specific, authoritative references—technology that directly helps people navigate complex healthcare decisions.
My second project, "Browser Agent Evaluation" for Nayya's newest experimental product, was even more captivating. I developed AI agents using Python API calls that could interact with applications like actual users. These agents—including BrowserUse, Anthropic Computer Use, and OpenAI Operator—performed tasks ranging from shopping on Amazon to extracting ESPN scores and gathering news from the NY Times. Watching my code control a mouse and keyboard, navigating screens autonomously, felt like glimpsing into the future. My documented findings and code demos on Notion caught the attention of managers and cross-departmental engineers alike.
Currently, I'm developing Python solutions using libraries like fitz to automate PDF form filling for applications like paid family leave—technology Nayya plans to release as a valuable solution for users navigating complex bureaucratic processes.
What set Nayya apart wasn't just the technical work—it was the comprehensive experience. Nayya’s Senior People Ops Analyst, Phoebe, organized numerous intern meetings with company leaders, including the CCO, CPO, CTO, and President. These conversations provided invaluable insights into the benefits landscape and Nayya's ecosystem, while highlighting the company's collaborative culture where everyone genuinely supports each other's growth.
Connecting with fellow interns across strategy and marketing departments enriched my experience further. We attended meetings together, shared lunches, and built lasting relationships. Phoebe ensured we gained skills that truly enhanced our development, organizing memorable experiences like our Yankees game—my first baseball game ever—which showcased the friendly, inclusive nature of everyone at Nayya.
My journey at Nayya taught me that while anyone can learn programming and execute data science projects, what truly matters is solving problems creatively. Technology isn't an end in itself—it's the vehicle for transformative ideas that can revolutionize how people live and work.
I learned that building character and working tirelessly to bring ideas to reality is what drives real achievement. At Nayya, I didn't just gain technical skills; I discovered how to channel creativity and purpose into meaningful solutions that improve people's lives in the complex world of healthcare and benefits.
