At Tarifflo, a student-led startup out of Utah State University, two English majors are proving that the pen can be as mighty as the code. The tech firm, specializing in AI-driven solutions for navigating complicated tariff schedules, recently snagged a hefty $20,000 prize at the Tim Draper Utah Entrepreneur Challenge. While software developers usually steal the spotlight in such ventures, it's the storytelling prowess of Lauren Astle and Brooklyn Hibshman that's setting this company apart.
Technical communication and rhetoric, the fields of study for both Astle and Hibshman, have found a fertile testing ground at Tarifflo. According to USU Today, their roles involve translating tech-speak into user-friendly language and enhancing the product's overall appeal. Embedded deeply within the startup's framework, their work spans from app and website testing to refining AI models and even aiding in hiring processes.
It's not just about grammar and prose for these humanities scholars. They bring an essential human touch to a sector sometimes criticized for being too insular. Tarifflo's success, as told by USU Today, hinges significantly on the duo's ability to create clear, compelling narratives that speak to investors, users, and the public at large.
As reported by USU Today, Astle and Hibshman shared their varied responsibilities. Writing blog posts, handling social media, crafting slide decks for investors, and delving into AI market research, they've revealed a symbiosis between the humanities and high-tech that often goes unseen. With a backdrop of diverse academic contributors, including computer science and marketing students, Astle highlighted, "navigating so many different backgrounds can be hard at times, but ... more perspectives [are] always better."
Their journey at Tarifflo is more than a college gig; it's a valuable lesson in interdisciplinary synergy. Their collaboration hints at a future where cross-pollination of tech and liberal arts isn't just welcomed but essential. "After working with Tarifflo ... I see the importance of working in a diverse workplace where you have the opportunity to collaborate with people from multiple fields," said Hibshman, as per USU Today. This mindset is reshaping their career aspirations and perhaps, the very fabric of startup culture itself.
