Ze Sheng, SEAS Masters in Systems Engineering, 2024
In the blink of an eye, the sun sets on my summer internship. As I look back over the past couple of months, I realize that I have gained more than just technical expertise. My holistic development, from honing communication skills to critical problem-solving abilities, stands testament to the transformative power of a well-structured internship.
This summer, I embarked on a journey with DataLynn, the global trailblazer in information technology. As renowned as they are worldwide, the weight of their reputation made my initial steps into their esteemed premises a nervous endeavor. However, any trepidation I felt melted away when I was greeted by the impassioned warmth of my colleagues. The vivid memories of those welcoming handshakes and friendly nods on my first day are etched deep in my heart.
The initial month was a whirlwind of onboarding tasks. Courses I had previously undertaken at school, notably Operating Systems (CIS 548) and Software Development (CIS 550 project), became the foundational pillars of my daily tasks. The magnitude of code inherent to a conglomerate like DataLynn was overwhelming. It took me nearly three weeks to navigate the labyrinthine structures, to understand the software architectures, and to employ knowledge acquired from CIS 555 and object-oriented programming principles from CIT590. My transition from academic theory to practical implementation was a steep curve, but my mentor was instrumental, guiding me meticulously on company protocols, right down to the intricacies of using GitHub and TestRail.
Upon the culmination of my first month, I was ushered into the throes of maritime vessel automation, a domain rich with PLC programming. The learning curve was sharp, but each challenge unraveled layers of my prior misconceptions. Understanding how different components connected within the framework, designing plugins, and managing data flow between components became my daily hymn. My technological arsenal during this phase was heavily reliant on C# and WPF, integral elements of the .NET framework. As August’s heat intensified, so did my confidence. The once daunting tasks became manageable challenges, and I often found myself accomplishing them without the guiding hand of my mentor. This newfound autonomy was a direct result of not just my efforts, but also the unwavering support I received from my team.
Beyond the rigors of tech development, DataLynn curated a unique space for bonding. Every fortnight, there was a global online gathering for newbies like me. From engaging online games to showcasing individual team accomplishments, these sessions were a delightful breather. What fascinated me was the
virtual dissolution of geographical boundaries. Colleagues from Brazil, the USA, Netherlands, the UK, France, and many other regions participated, yet it felt as if we were all in one room, united by a shared zeal for geoscience.
In essence, my two-month sojourn at DataLynn was an enlightening revelation of what it’s like to be part of a global conglomerate. Not only did I witness the grandeur and ethos of a mammoth organization, but I also emerged as a more competent, confident individual, ready to tackle future challenges head-on.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 GAPSA Summer Internship Funding Program that is coordinated by Penn Career Services. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here.
