"Grab the Bull by Its Horns": Zooming in on the Internship Experience at SciMed
Summer isn't just limited to beach trips and hanging out with friends. It's also a time for internships! This summer, we've welcomed a new intern to the team. Meet Caroline, our talented computer science intern who has been immersing herself in the world of web development.
In this Q&A article, Caroline shares more about her experience at SciMed, her passion for computer science, and her hopes for the future.
Q: What Was the Most Challenging Aspect of Your Summer Internship at SciMed, and How Did You Overcome It?
A: The most challenging aspect of my internship so far has definitely been the sheer amount of information that I have learned and still need to learn. I’m relatively new to Computer Science, this past year was my first year studying the subject, and I realized very quickly on my first few days that I have a lot to learn. I’ve overcome this challenge by making achievable learning goals for myself and asking questions if I get stuck on something. Focusing on smaller chunks of information has helped me not feel overwhelmed and has increased the speed at which I’ve learned new material.
Q: How Did Your Internship at SciMed Contribute to Your Professional Development and Help You Gain New Skills?
A: My technical knowledge has increased exponentially. Prior to this internship I had foundational knowledge in two programming languages: Python and C++. Now, just over halfway through my internship I have learned an additional language — Ruby — along with its web-development framework Ruby on Rails, and have a solid base of knowledge of CSS and HTML. I’m currently working to learn the basics of Javascript and hope to also learn more about SQL before my internship comes to an end. Aside from pure programming knowledge I’ve also learned about working with other developers and good coding habits to use while working as a part of a team.
Q: Can You Share a Specific Project or Task You Worked On During Your Internship that You Found Particularly Exciting or Impactful?
A: The most exciting part of my internship so far has definitely been the improvement in my programming knowledge and confidence in my own knowledge. My current project is an event management website that allows the user to create events and view them on a calendar. I was able to create a calendar on my own, which might not seem like anything special but considering how I’m working completely with languages that I had no knowledge in a month ago, this was a big milestone for me! Being able to interact with my own work and improve upon it has been without a doubt one of my favorite parts of my internship.
Q: How Did SciMed Foster a Collaborative and Inclusive Work Environment During Your Internship?
A: All of my co-workers at SciMed have gone out of their way to make me feel welcomed at my internship. From the jump, I felt included and wanted within SciMed. The work place environment here is truly amazing, everyone seems to truly love what they do and are always happy to help with my projects and invite me out to eat lunch or grab a quick snack with them.
Q: What Lessons or Insights Did You Gain About the Scientific, Medical, and Software Industry Through Your Internship Experience at SciMed
A: The biggest insight that I gained with regards to the Software Industry through my experiences here is that I can have a good work-life balance working in the industry. Prior to my internship, much of what I’ve heard regarding working in the industry was that it’s a very overwhelming job that takes precedence over all aspects of life. But here at SciMed there’s a great balance between work and living life outside of work, specifically working here is not meant to take over. I was glad to learn that I will be able to separate my work from the rest of my life in future jobs, as long as I find the right company.
Q: How Did the Internship at SciMed Align with Your Career Goals and Aspirations?
A: Interning at SciMed has allowed me to learn both the professional and the technical skills essential to jump-start my career in the software development industry. The experience has further helped me realize that this is the field that I want to work in upon completion of my education.
Q: Did Your Internship at SciMed Provide You with Opportunities to Network with Professionals in Your Field? If So, How Did these Connections Benefit You?
A: While my internship has not focused around networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, I’ve been able to learn and grow a lot through my conversations with the professionals at SciMed. I’ve received great advice and input from my coworkers that has allowed me to grow.
Q: What Advice Would You Give to Future Interns at SciMed to Make the Most of Their Experience?
A: To future interns I would advise you to grab the bull by its horns and make the absolute most of the opportunity of interning at SciMed and learn as much as you can in your time here. This internship is what you make of it and you need to push yourself to continue to develop your skills. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, everyone working at SciMed is more than willing to help you out if you need it. Be confident in yourself, especially if it’s your first internship. Know that you are worthy of this opportunity and use it to learn as much as possible in your time here.
Q: Were There Any Unexpected Benefits or Surprises During Your Internship at SciMed that You Didn’t Anticipate?
A: An unexpected benefit related to working here at SciMed is definitely the flexibility of my schedule. I can either work from home or from the office and can easily shift around the days I will be working with enough advance given to my mentor.
Q: In What Ways Did Your Summer Internship at SciMed Contribute to Your Personal Growth and Help Shape Your Future Career Path?
A: My summer internship at SciMed helped me learn foundational technical skills that will help me succeed both in school and beyond. My ability to drive myself to learn and complete projects has also greatly improved as a result of my internship. Finally, this experience has assured me that I am going into a field that I will be able to spend the rest of my life doing happily.
