My Journey as a Product Analyst Intern

If I had a dollar for every time someone in my network mentioned wanting an AI-related job, I’d be a millionaire by now. But beyond the humor, in a world where AI is the new gold rush—promising fresh grads bright futures and businesses unparalleled automation—one has to wonder: is there a breaking point?

This question sparked my curiosity and led me to explore the challenges people face and the capabilities AI offers. What I discovered was eye-opening: a crucial need for a nuanced understanding of AI’s core technical competencies, paired with a deep grasp of the pain points faced by industry professionals and businesses alike. This realization drew me into the intriguing world of Product Analysis and Management, and I quickly began applying for product-related roles to learn more.

I’m thrilled to share that I was offered a 12-week summer internship as a Product Analyst Intern at Aicadium , a company specializing in crafting industrial-grade AI solutions to tackle complex business challenges.

Reflecting on an incredible summer internship, I’m filled with gratitude for the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in Product Management, Computer Vision, and understanding the practical challenges of aligning AI solutions with business needs. This experience answered many of my burning questions about the gap between business demands and AI’s potential, giving me a clear understanding of how the magic happens behind the scenes.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Phoebe Poon and the entire product team for trusting me and giving me the autonomy to explore the vast world of Industrial AI. It was fascinating to observe how different industries have unique needs and challenges, revealed through user interviews and in-depth research. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from the product team is the power of using the right frameworks and techniques to align everyone with the product roadmap and strategy—often, it’s the simplest approaches, like starting with user research, that prove most effective.

On the technical side, I had the privilege of diving deep into the work of data scientists and software engineers. Collaborating with them was an eye-opening experience—understanding their workflows and how their efforts align with the product’s goals was both fun and enlightening. A huge shoutout to Victor Chua and the Data Science team for their mentorship in helping me grasp the data science aspects of our AI solutions, and to the Software Engineering team for allowing me to understand the software integrations of Machine Learning Pipelines, which was new to me.

But the journey didn’t end there. Just when I thought the technical side had it all figured out, the Business Development team entered the scene. My time with them was a masterclass in strategy—learning about effective sales approaches, refining frameworks for sustainable client relationships, and understanding the business challenges companies face when deploying AI solutions.

And then there’s the Marketing Team, who introduced me to the exciting world of technical product marketing, where the challenge lies in balancing technical jargon with simplicity. Working with them was a creative adventure, and I learned just how crucial it is to align the product’s roadmap and metrics with its branding. Special thanks & shoutout to everyone in the marketing team for listening to my "interesting" branding & outreach ideas and discussions.

This internship gave me the chance to collaborate with multiple departments, revealing that product management isn’t just a role—it’s the glue that holds everything together. It requires strong communication skills, critical thinking, and a solid technical foundation to connect all the dots. From Computer Vision to Sales to Marketing, I found myself learning from every corner of the company. And that’s when I realized—the product team is the key cog that unites everyone. This experience has solidified my ambition to become a future Product Manager for AI products in a tech or engineering company.

I’m profoundly grateful to everyone at AICadium for not only sharing their expertise but also for fostering such a warm and collaborative environment. The camaraderie we built—whether it was over casual lunches in the CBD, our "competitive" foosball games, the AI team’s thoughtfully organized welfare activities, or those spontaneous, relaxed conversations—truly highlighted the flexible and supportive culture that made this experience so enriching and memorable.

As I wrap up this chapter, I’m struck by how much this internship has not only expanded my technical and business knowledge but also reaffirmed my passion for bridging the gap between AI’s potential and real-world needs. I’m excited to take these lessons forward, eager to contribute to the future of AI in a meaningful way. Here’s to the adventures that lie ahead and the endless possibilities that the world of AI holds.

P.S: Laughter is contagious—it’s good for the soul and sparks up workspaces... and meetings too :)