From navigating new tech stacks to collaborating with colleagues, Daniel Adewole's internship review offers a candid glimpse into his role as an Engineering Analyst at Motherboard.
My internship with Motherboard was an exciting learning experience, but before I dive into that, here's a little backstory.
I began actively pursuing my interest in programming during the ASUU strike in 2022, but it wasn't until 2023 that I explored backend development seriously. After learning Python basics, I wanted to delve deeper. During the eight-month strike, I focused on programming, and in January 2023, I started backend development, which became my passion. I attended boot camps, engaged in immersive self-learning, and worked on multiple projects to improve my skills. However, despite leveling up and gaining more confidence in API creation, I realized something was missing – real-world experience.
This realization spurred me to apply for internships where I could apply my growing skills. Whether paid or unpaid, I was eager to put my knowledge into practice on a proper project. I applied widely, using platforms like LinkedIn and job portals. It was during this search that I found Motherboard.
After applying for the Motherboard Internship Program, I received an email titled 'Next Steps: Assessment for Internship Role.' Excitement and determination drove me to tackle the assessment questions to the best of my abilities. The assessment proved to be a unique challenge, with questions focusing on product-related scenarios. It highlighted Motherboard's philosophy: everyone should be Product-Oriented and have a specific superpower. Even though it was challenging, I enjoyed the assessment because it was a chance to showcase my ability to approach challenges from a product-oriented perspective.
After submitting my application, I eagerly awaited the outcome. Days later, an email arrived, confirming my successful progression to the next stage. The journey continued with an interview with Lekan, the founder of Motherboard. I was nervous because I was scheduled for a 10-minute self-introduction but thankfully the conversation flowed smoothly, and I became more relaxed.
I had a more technical assessment after the interview, which posed a new challenge as my interviewer focused on JavaScript, while my background was primarily in Python. Fortunately, my previous experience with JavaScript proved beneficial, confirming the saying that “luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
Receiving the offer letter was the culmination of these efforts. I was proud of myself and the hard work I invested in the application and interview process.
The onboarding process was structured and seamless. Joining the engineering team presented initial challenges mostly due to a different tech stack, but these hurdles transformed into opportunities for substantial personal and professional growth. After I had familiarized myself with the team and processes, it was time to select a project that I would be taking ownership of.
My first project involved implementing a CRUD operation. The learning curve was intense because of the tight deadline, but the successful completion of the project made it all worth it. The experience taught me the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the ability to learn on the fly. It was a crash course in mastering a tech stack under real-world pressure, and the benefits of overcoming that hurdle were immeasurable.
Collaborating with the engineering team became a highlight of my journey. Working closely with Ernest, my supervisor, proved to be a catalyst for my learning. His guidance not only honed my coding skills but also provided insights into writing code that adheres to standard coding principles. The collaboration with Jeremiah, my manager, brought another layer of learning, emphasizing the importance of task requirements and ensuring that features function as intended.
My fellow engineering interns, Afolabi and Harry, and our amazing QA tester, Opeyemi, also enriched the experience, especially during the creation of the Motherboard Energy station locator Progressive Web App. I learned so many things from the team. Each daily meeting not only built my confidence but also taught me the value of good teamwork.
In conclusion, the internship with Motherboard was a transformative period. I gained more confidence, improved my technical skills, and was able to better apply my programming knowledge. As I reflect on this journey, I recognize the profound impact it has had on my growth as a software engineer, and I'm grateful for it!
