Development Monitors: A US Internship
During my final spring semester, I had the opportunity to intern at a company based in the United States. This experience was a significant turning point in my career, providing me with a deep dive into a different work culture, language, and professional setting. In this blog post, I will recount my journey as an intern at a US company, discussing the hurdles I encountered, the knowledge I gained, and the unforgettable experiences I had along the way.
I feel a lot of pride, thankfulness, and personal development. I am in awe of the significant influence this academic internship has had on both my personal and professional lives, and I feel like I have grown significantly. I had no clue that my internship would have given me all these new perspectives on who I am professionally and how to develop into someone who is ready to step into the working force as a fully-fledged full-stack developer.
The Decision to Intern Abroad
When learning of the opportunity to intern at a US company through my university’s exchange program, I was immediately intrigued. The prospect of working in a foreign country and gaining hands-on experience in a global setting was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. This experience would not only allow me to expand my professional network but also provide me with a unique perspective on the tech industry in the United States.
Howest University of Applied Sciences, where I was studying, has a strong emphasis on internationalization and encourages students to take advantage of opportunities to study or intern abroad. They gave me the opportunity to join The Washington Center, an organization that helps students get an internship in Washington DC. I knew that interning at a US company would be a valuable addition to my academic journey and would help me develop the skills necessary to succeed in a globalized world.
The Washington Center
The Washington Center, or TWC for short, is a renowned internship program in Washington DC. They have ties with a lot of American universities, and offers a semester of internship in Washington DC to all students from these schools
The Belgian government has ties with this program, and each year they give the opportunity to twelve students in Belgium to intern in the US. They decide upon these students through a whole selection process where they look at your grades, motivation, and resume.
The Selection Process
First I had to be selected by my university, because each university can only send a certain amount of students. I showed my interest in the program, after which I had to write a motivation letter and create a resume fit for the US. Based on these documents, together with the grades you achieved at school, they decide whether they send you through the delegation of TWC in Brussels.
When I knew my university selected me, I had to rewrite both my motivation letter and resume to send to the TWC delegation in Brussels. They then decide whether you are accepted, which if you are, you get a scholarship, and they help you find an internship in Washington DC.
The Search
After being selected, you start having interviews with people from TWC. They help you with creating new versions of your resume and cover letters, and help you with finding an internship. For students abroad it needs to be an internship that is in person for at least 3 days a week, to be compliant with the J-1 visa requirements. I was able to find an internship at Development Monitors, a company that creates a plugin for QGIS, a geospatial software. They were looking for a developer to help them with the development of their plugin, and I was a perfect fit.
The Arrival
We arrived in Washington, DC, a few days before starting the internship, and I am glad that we were able to. I needed some time to get used to life in the United States and to make sure I had everything figured out to live here for the coming four months of my life. In these first few days, I was able to explore the city, get to know the public transport system, and get to know the people I would be spending the next four months of my life with.
The Internship
Development Monitors put me in a team with Roy, another intern from Belgium that would be working for them. We were tasked with integrating LLM into their plugin, so users could ask for some functionality, and the plugin would automatically do the task others would do manually. This created a possibility for people who are not knowledgeable in GIS to use the plugin, and it would do the work for them.
On my first day of work, I couldn’t help but question if I had what it took to succeed in this vibrant, fast-paced workplace. I had no idea if my abilities were developed enough to meet my coworkers’ expectations and carry the responsibilities of the job, but from the moment I started going through the tasks provided to me, I saw that my education had given me a strong base to build upon.
I grew more confident in my skills as a software engineer the further I got into the internship. Together with my co-intern, Roy, I used my creativity and technical knowledge to tackle difficult issues. Working with people from all over the world who were eager to impart their knowledge and experience to me was a pleasure for me. Their advice and assistance were priceless, and I found myself taking in all their knowledge.
I learned a lot about geospatial analysis, a field I had no experience in, as the company was making software for QGIS, a geospatial software. We were tasked with implementing an LLM into their already existing plugin. It would help people in India who do not have knowledge of QGIS, or geospatial analysis, work with their plugin and get answers to check up on critical infrastructure, so rural areas would have fewer problems with water mains breaking due to natural disasters like earthquakes. Developing software that helps people in the world where they really need it is really satisfying, as you are responsible for making their lives a little easier.
We also created a new website for them at the end of our internship, as we finished our work a little early. They didn’t have a website yet, and we asked if we could create it for them. They agreed as they were in need of one, and we could at least create a base for them to work on.
Life in Washington DC
Living in Washington DC was a unique experience. The city is vibrant, diverse, and rich in history and culture. From exploring the National Mall to visiting the Smithsonian museums, every day was an adventure waiting to unfold. As I navigated the bustling streets of DC, I was captivated by the energy and spirit of the city, and the warmth and hospitality of its people.
Washington DC is a city that’s perfect for young professionals. There are a lot of networking events, meetups, and conferences that you can attend to meet new people and learn new things. The emphasis on developing solid professional relationships was one of the most enjoyable parts of my internship. The thought of networking and striking up a conversation with strangers was initially intimidating to me, since I’ve always felt uneasy when doing that. But as I forced myself to get out of my comfort zone and go to business events, I realized how important it was to connect with other people in my area. I discovered that developing a strong network involves more than just passing business cards to each other and striking up a casual discussion. It also entails actually connecting with individuals, picking up knowledge from their experiences, and figuring out how to encourage and support one another.
Next steps
I am excited and motivated as I consider my future professional endeavors. My internship has demonstrated to me that I possess the abilities, enthusiasm, and determination necessary to excel in the fast-paced, constantly changing IT industry. I’ve come to realize that my enthusiasm for solving problems, my dedication to lifelong learning, and my capacity for teamwork are all excellent qualities that will benefit me in any kind of professional environment. In light of that, it is also important to me that my future employer gives me the space to grow and to keep gaining more knowledge.
The value of remaining loyal to who I am and what I believe in, though, may be the most significant lesson I have learned this semester. I’ve learned that being true to who I am at work not only makes me feel good about myself, but it also enables me to connect with others around me on a deeper, more meaningful level. I have personally witnessed the ways in which a constructive, encouraging work atmosphere may stimulate originality, creativity, and a feeling of teamwork. Furthermore, I am confident that as my career progresses, I will look for chances to further my personal purpose and actually change the world.
I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has helped me along the journey as I consider the amazing growth and self-discovery I have had this semester. My network of people has challenged, inspired, and believed in me even when I doubted myself. They range from my internship supervisor and coworkers to my instructors and students in the Career Readiness Program and my evening course.
I am aware that success will not always come easily or without difficulty. There will be challenges to conquer, fresh abilities to pick up, and unavoidable periods of uncertainty. But now that I have the relationships, knowledge, and experience from this semester, I feel more equipped than ever to take on any obstacles that may arise.
Conclusion
To sum up, this semester has been a genuinely life-changing experience that has forced me to expand outside my comfort zone, accept new chances for development, and realize the amazing potential I possess. My internship, my studies, and introspection have helped me to have a better knowledge of who I am, what I stand for, and what I want out of life. I pledge to remain loyal to my genuine self going forward, forge deep bonds with other people, and never give up on my quest for knowledge and self-improvement. I am prepared to take on whatever opportunities and difficulties the future may bring, with a heart full of appreciation and a mind full of possibilities, knowing that I have the abilities, the drive, and the support to thrive.