Electronic Engineer Review

Designed and built a prototype piece of hardware to interface with and control some existing systems, and wrote software to control it and analyse the resulting data. Tested this project in a lab and analysed results. Designed, simulated in MATLAB and implemented in VHDL an algorithm for signal processing. Daily team meetings to check in on everyone and discuss our tasks for the day, then working individually (though people were available if help was needed)

Had never used VHDL before so that was totally new, the C++ code I wrote was more complex than anything I had done before and thanks to the pandemic we've been a bit short on lab time so it's been a long time since I built hardware. I've also learned a lot about signal processing and wireless communications. The Applied Intelligence Future Talent Council has been running events as well; we've just had a workshop on the use of neurolinguistic programming in recovering from setbacks, and a few weeks back we did a Capture the Flag event with the Operational Cybersecurity interns.

I was given a surprising amount of 'creative freedom' in my projects; there was plenty of guidance when I needed it and people helped me find the best method for what I was doing, but I was mostly left to implement it myself (my work was of course reviewed by senior engineers). My manager has been keeping me in the loop about the next steps for testing and integrating my project with other systems once I've left, so I'm very satisfied that it's not just going to be thrown in a drawer labelled 'internship busywork projects'!

Since I was working at the office in a team, there were always people around to ask for help if needed. My managers weren't in the room with us as they worked in a secure lab, but they always responded to messages and checked in with me at the team meeting each morning to make sure I had something productive to do. We were also assigned graduates as 'buddies' and I was lucky enough to have a desk right next to my buddy's, so they'd check in with me occasionally as well.

Within my team, it was great - we had our own version of the Summer Olympics featuring sports such as Jenga and paper aeroplane throwing, with a different event each week, and there was a bunch of graduates and interns (from a couple of other teams as well) who would hang out and eat lunch together. On a more company-wide basis, there are monthly meetings (currently virtual) for the whole business unit, where people share a bit about what they're working on and snacks are provided!

Enjoyed it very much, the work was very satisfying and my team was welcoming. I'd definitely consider going back next year!

Yes

Take part in as many events as you can, and don't hesitate to ask for help if you're stuck.