My Transformative Internship Experience at Wind River

Curiosity: The Catalyst for Creativity

I am Yenson, a computer engineering student at Tecnológico de Costa Rica (TEC) who is passionate about technology and solving complex problems. As a video game enthusiast, I became interested in high-performance gaming PCs and started building and customizing them to optimize to a perfect frame rate. My passion for video games led me to start a 3D figurine printing business in 2020. One of my defining traits is curiosity. I am constantly thinking about how to create new things, improve processes, and solve problems. My drive for invention and innovation fuels my passion for technology.

My Dream to Become an Engineer 

My earliest memory of using technology was when my father brought home a PC. It was a simple PC with no graphics card, only enough RAM to run Windows Vista, and equipped with a CD reader. But, for me, it was a doorway into a new adventure. Since then, I knew I wanted to work in the technology industry. “I want to be an engineer!” I announced to my parents even though I had no clue what it would entail. That vision led me to become a first-generation college student at TEC studying computer engineering.

My Pathway to Wind River 

Through Wind River’s partnership with TEC, I further learned about Wind River. I admire the company’s commitment to fostering an environment of learning and its dedication to delivering reliable and secure solutions. I knew I wanted a company where I would be challenged to grow, and it was evident that at Wind River, I would learn, dive into real-world challenges, and get out of my comfort zone. Eagerly, I decided to apply for their internship program and received an offer as a Software Developer intern.

Now at Wind River, I work on various web technologies. I started working with react static frontend, where I improved many of my existing skills with hands-on experience. I learned how to deploy a website through Linux. Now I am working with Panorama software, where I am conducting a technology rejuvenation from outdated versions of open-source frameworks like AngularJS, MySQL, and Redis.

If I were to describe my internship experience in one word, it would be transformative. From the beginning, my managers, Emmanuel Leon, and Madhu Expedith, have been supportive and empowered me to learn. I have the freedom to express ideas and take on meaningful projects. Starting your professional journey involves embracing new experiences, being curious and adopting a growth mindset. Never let your comfort zone stop you from learning and improving every day.