Software development intern Review

Very much so. The work I did was very interesting and I learnt a lot about developing software and telecoms. The company found accommodation for all the interns (we were all staying in a flat in the centre of Coventry) and there was a very good atmosphere. The best week however was the 'vacathon' (vacation + hackathon). This took place over a week where they bought all the interns to their Enfield office and we were given nearly free reign to create any product which has a link to telecoms.

As time went on I felt increasingly valued. At the start I was asking a lot of questions and making a lot of mistakes as I learnt how to do things. By the end I felt as though my manager really valued my opinion and we would regularly have discussions about the best way to implement new code. I was doing work that full time employees would have been doing otherwise so I really feel as though I made a contribution to the team.

In my office I was assigned a manager in the office with whom I had a weekly status meeting. In this we would discuss the work I was currently doing and any concerns I had with it. In the office I received a lot of guidance from the people working on the same project as me. Whenever I had a question they would come over and explain it to me. Similarly, if I had any problems that the people in the office didn't know, I could instant message anyone on my team in other offices and receive any help required. There was a lot of emphasis on trying to solve the problem yourself first and if you don't know how/take too long doing so, by all means ask! I feel as though I learnt a lot by trying to fix issues myself.

I was working in a team of people from various offices, and there was an online system used for assigning work. Whenever I completed my current task I was expected to pick up a new task from the online system. I always had as much work as I needed. When deadlines approached I felt at ease asking for assistance with the task if I didn't feel as though I could meet the time constraints

I was given a lot of responsibility. I could choose to work on whatever task I wished to from the online system. I was expected to get on with the task and try to estimate the time it would take for me to complete it. My code was always reviewed by people who were experts in the products I was coding for and I always received useful feedback.

Not really with my degree, but I gained essential skills for any future job in software or otherwise. I learn a lot about coding, and gained a lot of experience writing and planning the most efficient way to code a project. Additionally, every day the team I worked in had an online status meeting - this helped develop skills such as explaining your current progress and judging whether or not you need assistance to meet a deadline.

I was in the Coventry office, which only has about 15 employees including the 3 interns. Whilst quieter than most offices people were always friendly and there was always a good atmosphere. Whenever someone joined or left we went to a local pub for lunch and drinks.

It was very well organised. The company found accommodation for all the interns in the centre of the city, and we were given a great deal of information beforehand. The trip to Enfield for the week was also entirely organised by the company. I couldn't fault the organisation of the internship in any way.

Very much so. Whenever I had any questions or problems my manager would explain them to me. Although there was no formal training program, it was more learning on the job which I found immensely valuable. This is probably the part I was most impressed by,

They only hire if you are in your penultimate year, but I would definitely consider applying for another internship. I learnt a lot, and enjoyed it very much.

We were all living in the same flat, and we often watched films or played card games etc.

If you know the right places, living in Coventry can be very cheap!

Also very cheap (2 pints for £3 was the best I found). There were a couple of good pubs near the accommodation, and I only went to one bar/club but it was enjoyable.

Not really in the Coventry office.