Architecture Technology Intern Review

The architecture role is a very varied role and encompasses a lot of different things. In general, I have been focusing on APM and CMBD exceptions within ServiceNow and have looked at resolving these errors. On the other side of architecture, I have listed into the cloud huddles, tda meetings, ai governance as well as other projects that are going on throughout the business. Though I haven't made any direct recommendations to people's usecases, I have gotten the opportunity to listen into the conversations and understand how a use case is put together as well as the considerations that need to be taken with both presenting one and producing one. One of the things I've started recently doing is going over how to use ServiceNow with TPO Managers who may have inherited this responsibility through legacy and didn't actually know or understand how to use the software. As such, I show them how to create business applications or application services, and ways of creating the relationship tree for these in ServiceNow. In terms of resolving CMDB and APM exceptions, I have been contacting those in charge of technology products to gain the information needed to resolve these exceptions. Through the collection of this information we can then process it through as a bulk update and reduce the exceptions report drastically. In addition to all of this, there has been the group project. Though I hadn't personally came up with the three use case ideas. I have spent a lot of time reaching out to other people within the company to find out more about the issues we are targeting and focused on looking at how we can integrate a solution that works with both our current infrastructure and our goals. For example, there is a preference for SaaS solutions, so when certain things I have been looking into third-party vendors which could offer us a SaaS solution for our use case instead of building it in house. From this project, there was a use case idea that we disregarded, however the team that it would affect reached out and wanted to see if there was a way of implementing what we discussed. Now, I am looking into ways we could implement this idea, potential models for how it would work and compiling this information. I plan to present this to the team that requested it so they can take it further after my internship ends and hopefully get an automated solution for something that is currently being done manually.

Throughout this internship, I have gained a lot of knowledge of the technology field. There were a lot of things that I didn't realise go into this role that must be considered. Though not a skill as such it is really useful information to have. As it makes presenting the use cases at the end of the project a bit easier as I now have a better understanding of what sort of things the company considers, how risk is weighted as well as the correct ways to present an idea. I think I have also gotten better at reaching out to people and asking questions about things I want to learn more about, where previously I maybe wasn't as confident in this area. I'm also more familiar with excel and understand the ServiceNow interface and why CMDB and APM are such useful tools in architecture. It has also inspired me to start doing a little bit of codeacademy on the side, so I can develop some more technical skills. While what I am doing just now is extremely basic, this would potentially come in useful in future if I was in the position of having to understand how a certain program or coding language interacts with infrastructure. It will also broaden my knowledge and approach to use case implementation.

Throughout the internship I was given lots of opportunities to explore areas that I wanted to learn about. Both my managers referred me to/gave me names of people who may be of interest with specific things to reach out to. I've been able to take the responsibility of managing and organising my team, who I spent it speaking to and what I look at learning about the wider company, all while being supported through my managers who provided recommendations and regular feedback on who I can look to contact or different approaches I can take with my work. In a more specific to the individual task, I have been carrying out, though I do not have the responsibility or privileges to go directly into CMDB and starting editing everything. I have been given the responsibility of collecting and verifying the information needed to correct any of the exceptions. I've also had the opportunity to feedback some of the issues I've noticed that crop up in my individual task. For example, I discussed the issue of people not being sure of what their role is as a TPO and what actions they should regularly be carrying out. I've also been able to voice my opinion on ways I think this could be approached or rectified, and discuss potential solutions with the wider team.

Throughout the entire internship both of my managers have been extremely supportive and provided me with any guidance I've needed. I have been able to ask them any questions I have had about the work, how I could approach it as well as wider questions about the company. They have also been extremely good at getting me in contact with people and helping me develop a wider understanding of technology at M&G and involved me in a lot of meetings. This has given me a lot of exposure to things and helped me to understand what the role actually entails. I've really enjoyed working with them and they have made me feel part of the team.

The company culture and general atmosphere was a bit of a shock to me at first. I have never worked in a place before with people who are so happy to help and introduce you to other aspects of the business. As well as showing you how to do things and building your skill set. M&G has a really positive atmosphere and the approach to taking on interns and getting them involved in the role has been great. If I compare it to my previous experiences, this is how I think a company should approach new starts and upskilling. It has definitely made me reflect on how I approach my own management skills in Sainsbury's. It has been an extremely welcoming environment, and I've really enjoyed working in this type of culture.

Personally, I have really enjoyed my internship. It has been an extremely rewarding and also eye-opening experience. I have realised that this is the type of company and work I would actually like to do in the future whereas previously I was a bit unsure of where I was heading with things. I've really enjoyed getting to talk and meet with all the different people in areas of the business. They have all been amazing to talk to and really positive. I think that the internship has provided loads of learning opportunity and I've gained an understanding of finance and the technology side of things that I wouldn't have had otherwise and that has been great. My managers have also been amazing and definitely have massively contributed to my enjoyment of the internship by getting me involved in meetings and allowing me to listen into things. So, they deserve a massive thanks too.

Yes

I think I would tell people to not fully focus on what skills they do and don't have. For example, if you come from a non-tech background, don't limit yourself to non-tech roles. The internship is a learning opportunity and experience, and the team you are placed in will show you everything you need to know for your time here. The most important part is being willing and interested in learning new things and developing new skills. M&G are also a flexible company from what people have explained to me, and perhaps look at other ways of getting into roles. There is many ways of doing one thing.