What is your specific role as an intern at the IDEA Center?
I was a Software Development Intern
What is your main takeaway from your time working with the IDEA Center?
While working at the Idea Center, I learned to be resourceful. At startups and small companies, I often had to innovate with ideas and technologies in which I had little experience in. In order to deliver results, I learned how to research and use my resources well to learn quickly and apply myself to my work.
What influence did your IDEA Center work have on your full-time career discernment (and what will you be doing)?
My internship at the Idea Center was very transformative for my career, exposing me to the field of web development and providing me with opportunities to work on real impactful projects. This internship was a key experience in helping me decide to pursue software engineering full time and ultimately land a job at Amazon where I work full time now as a SDE.
What advice would you give students at ND looking to get involved with the IDEA Center?
My advice for aspiring ND students would be to learn and be curious. Having access to the Idea Center is such a privilege that most ND students should take advantage of and there are so many opportunities and people there willing to help you pursue your passions.
Most memorable moment from IDEA Center work?
My most memorable moment was the summer after freshman year where I worked with Michael Wicks on Covur along with several other interns. This was my first internship and first time working with code in a production environment. This opportunity to learn and apply my skills to a company that is making a difference in my community was an exciting experience and being able to do it with such amazing people made it all the more worthwhile.