Skip to main content
Leavey School of Business Homepage

Profiles

Ren Hattori summer
Ren Hattori
CEO Assistant Intern
Dairii
Finance Major 
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
 
What are you doing this summer? I interned at a B2B SaaS insurtech startup as a CEO Assistant Intern, where I built AI-powered workflows and agents to automate internal processes and improve operational efficiency. I also participated in client and investor meetings, gaining firsthand insight into how early-stage startups pitch, iterate, and scale.

Hopefully you’ve grown both professionally and personally from this summer experience. Name one or two “life” lessons you learned and will carry forward after graduation.  One key lesson I took away this summer is the importance of adaptability. Working in the fast-moving AI space showed me how quickly today’s breakthrough tools can become obsolete, and how crucial it is to stay open to change. This mindset will help me navigate uncertainty, both in my career and in life.
 
What has been the most memorable part of your experience? Being directly involved with the CEO gave me a front-row seat to how startups grow and adapt. I gained exposure to high-level meetings and networks I wouldn’t have accessed otherwise.
 
What advice would you give to younger students who are searching for summer opportunities?
Don’t be discouraged if opportunities don’t come right away. I got my internship through a chain of unexpected connections that began with one cold email. Never underestimate the power of reaching out because your network can open doors you didn’t even know existed. All you need is one "Yes".