Shaomin Kee
Wharton ’28
Finance
GRIP: Sustainable Development in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Contact
Ask Me About…
During my internship in Vietnam, I wasn’t just working full-time at Nuoa.io— I was also juggling a Penn online course (Gods, Ghosts, and Monsters) and my role as Global Director of Marketing for a nonprofit. Each responsibility operated in a different time zone, and each demanded real attention and energy. With class deadlines in EST and team calls often running late into the night, my days required intense scheduling and flexibility.
Still, I didn’t let these responsibilities keep me from exploring Vietnam. On weekends, I explored the beaches of Danang, cruised through Ha Long Bay, and wandered the alleys of Hoi An. Balancing academic work, professional commitments, and personal exploration taught me how to maximize every hour of the day (and night).
Therefore, if there’s one thing other students should ask me about, it’s how to manage a “triple life” abroad— intern, student, and executive board of a nonprofit— without burning out or missing the magic of being in a new country. Time zone math was just the beginning. What made the experience so rewarding was learning how to stay present, focused, and adaptable, even when my schedule made no sense on paper.
My Experience Abroad
This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Nuoa.io, a climate tech B2B startup that provides carbon emissions analytics to companies. Working in a fast-paced startup environment with a small team meant I was given responsibilities that exceeded typical intern expectations. I took the lead in writing Nuoa’s first sustainability report, conducted the company’s carbon accounting for the month, and developed targeted client lists to help guide business development. These experiences directly tied into my academic interest in the environment and sustainable business practices.
Unexpectedly, I also gained exposure to the consulting world. Nuoa’s CEO, Mr. Hieu, who previously worked at BCG, shared valuable career advice and insights into consulting. I noticed that many of Nuoa’s internal presentations followed consulting-style frameworks— concise, visually clear, and strategically structured— which influenced how I now approach my own presentations.
This internship solidified my interest in pursuing a career in ESG or sustainability consulting. It allowed me to apply classroom knowledge in a practical, high-impact setting while also gaining firsthand insight into the client-focused, analytical mindset necessary in consulting. Through both the tasks I completed and the mentorship I received, I feel significantly more confident in my ability to contribute meaningfully to this field and to further explore the intersection of business, sustainability, and strategy in my academic and professional life.
Other Highlights
My alarm rings at 8:30 AM—that’s when I know it’s time to head upstairs to room 402. When I open the door, the smell of eggs greets me like a familiar embrace.
Every morning, my fellow Penn interns, Mudit and Marcus and I, gather at “Homelet”—a combination of “home” and “omelet,” and the name of Mudit’s makeshift breakfast spot in his apartment. As we enjoy his deliciously cooked eggs, we laugh, catch up, and start our day together.
By lunchtime, it’s not an alarm but a Teams notification—“Join my Grab Group Order!”—that reminds me it’s time to eat. When we’re not going out for company lunches, the Nuoa office orders in. Thanks to my coworkers’ picks, I’ve now tasted nearly everything Vietnamese: phở bờ, bún chả, cơm tấm, and more. We eat together in the meeting room, sharing stories and building camaraderie with every bite.
After work, I often stop by “50k Phở” for dinner. Ordering “một phở tài” (one beef pho) in broken Vietnamese usually earns me a chuckle and a pronunciation correction from the friendly owner—but the warm bowl of broth quickly washes away any embarrassment.
From breakfast to dinner, my meals in Vietnam were always delicious—but the true highlights weren’t the food itself. They were the shared moments: bonding with fellow interns, connecting with coworkers, and engaging with locals. These everyday interactions made my GRIP experience unforgettable and uniquely meaningful.
