Software Engineer Intern Review
by Metaswitch Networks
This review was submitted over 4 years ago, so some of the information it contains may no longer be relevant.
Rating
-
The Role
4.3
-
The Company
4.3
-
The Culture
4.0
- 1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?
- 2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?
- 3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?
- 4. How busy were you on a daily basis?
- 5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?
- 6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?
- 7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?
- 8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?
- 9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?
- 10. What were the perks on your work placement?
- 11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?
- 12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?
- 13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?
- 14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?
- 15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?
The Role
Given real work to do from day 1. I was actually producing a useful tool that others in my team could use.
Very co-operative working environment. Most graduate starters have gone through the internship program and so treated interns the same as full time employees.
Regular chats with a manager keeps you on track and focused. They are also there to help you solve problems. Good feedback on all parts of your work is very helpful. Also had career chats with second-line manager.
You always have a few things on the go at once so you're never bored but the managers accept that interns will do some tasks faster than others and don't put undue pressure on interns making them too busy. For example, there is always time to take a long lunch to play sport.
I was responsible for the work I did, with my manager reviewing code and helping with design. Wouldn't have wanted much more or much less responsibility.
Invaluable coding experience and programming skills in general. Lots of time was spent training so you are seen as an investment for the company. Experience of the industry in general also very useful.
The Company
People often busy with work but a lot of communication, about work or otherwise. People seemed to be enjoying themselves at work.
The organisation of the program was excellent. They recognise every problem interns might have and pre-emptively solve it - for example, subsidised company housing right by the office was a huge help.
They almost have the attitude that you are definitely going to come back to work for them and so there is no question as to whether you should be taking up the time of more senior people to be trained.
Flexi Time
Subsidised Canteen
Sports and Social Club
Financial Bonus
Company Parties/Events
Offered an internship for next summer, and a second interview after that for a full time position should I want one.
The Culture
Interns living together in houses nearby was really good. Everyone knew everyone else and spent lots of time at each others houses as well as regular pub visits.
Subsidised accomodation helped massively, as did company bar tabs.
Enfield is fairly quiet - you won't be going out clubbing there. But there's numerous pubs/restaurants about which are popular with employees and interns alike.
Sports clubs every lunchtime as well as other activities (fantasy football, board games etc.)
Details
Internship (1 Month+)
London
October 2011
