The Internship Leap: Building Upon My Previous Intern Experience at Wind River

"The future belongs to those who learn from their past and build upon their experiences" – Unknown.

Hello! I am Amos, a Computer Engineering student at the University of Waterloo and an aspiring Software Engineer. As a second-year undergraduate student looking to break into tech, I have much to learn and build upon. To break into tech, I have spent the last two years researching how to land a software engineering internship, meticulously crafting my resume, expanding my knowledge, and preparing for technical interviews on LeetCode. My continuous efforts landed me a software engineering internship at Wind River.

The Origin of My Passion for Technology

I was interested in technology from an early age. It was second nature to be drawn to the tech industry because I enjoyed tech toys, engineering camps, and building things in elementary school. However, it was not until later that I was exposed to coding languages that started my passion for technology. What sparked my interest in software engineering started when I took two programming classes at my high school. Our class spent months learning about Python basics such as data types, conditionals, and loops, then applying it in basic projects that have been the most impactful in building my experience.

I am most interested in technologies that help solve people's daily problems.

Returning as an Intern 

My first internship experience at Wind River allowed me to expand my knowledge about how software is developed and make the connections between what I was learning in my college courses and the tech industry. I have decided to return as an intern to gain hands-on experience with embedded systems. Wind River's community is welcoming to those who are interested in learning. I admired all the astute engineers that always helped me by guiding me in the right direction.

In this second-term internship experience, I am trying to expose myself to different technologies. Even though I have been working with the same team, I have purposely reached out to people who could help me explore various platforms. This has enabled me to learn about skills and technologies I have not worked with. I am committed to advancing my expertise this summer. Aside from my internship, I have become a software engineer mentor, signed up for my first hackathon, and developed a website. I plan to learn more about software development from various mediums by challenging myself outside my comfort zone.

Making the Most of Your Internship Experience

If you are reading this as an intern at Wind River. Here is some advice as you continue your internship journey.

1. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Internships are not only to do meaningful work but to learn. Be a sponge and soak up as much as you can while you have the opportunity.
2. Write a "brag document." Do not assume people automatically recognize your great work. You will not remember everything you accomplish as you finish your internship. Keep track of what you have been achieving and the impact. Reflect on your achievements every two weeks.
3. Communicate. As one of your first few work experiences, it may feel intimidating to share your thoughts, but please do. The workplace is much more enjoyable when you are connected to your team.
4. Have fun! Aside from doing your required tasks, remember to have fun! This is a perfect opportunity to discover what you like and dislike, and the best way to experience it is when you are having fun.

That is all for now. It is your time to make a lasting impact at Wind River!