During April, I embarked on a six-month journey as a Product Engineering intern at incident.io. I remember feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness before starting, questioning if I had made the right decision. Fast forward two months, and I am certain that joining this team was a pivotal moment in my life, offering me an incredible opportunity for growth and learning.
As I approach the halfway mark of my internship, I wanted to share some unexpected lessons that I believe will be valuable for future engineering interns, whether at incident.io or elsewhere. These insights go beyond technical skills and touch on the broader aspects of being an intern in a dynamic environment like incident.io.
### What It Means to Be an Intern at incident.io
#### You’re More Than Just a Tea Maker
As an intern at incident.io, you are not relegated to making cups of tea or running errands. Instead, you are encouraged to make a real impact every day. From pushing changes into production to interacting directly with customers, the work you do directly contributes to the success of the business. This level of impact and responsibility is something I never expected to experience as an intern.
#### Embrace Responsibility
From day one, incident.io emphasized that interns would be treated as full-time Product Engineers. This level of responsibility initially felt daunting, but it has been an unparalleled opportunity to learn and grow. While the stakes are high, this responsibility has accelerated my technical skills development in ways I never imagined.
#### You’re Not Alone
While the weight of responsibility may seem overwhelming, the team at incident.io ensures that interns are never left to navigate challenges on their own. From providing necessary support to offering guidance and mentorship, the team goes above and beyond to ensure that interns feel supported and empowered to succeed.
### Five Unexpected Lessons Learned
#### 1. Cultivate Personal Connections
Initiating 1:1 coffee chats with colleagues may feel awkward at first, but these interactions are incredibly valuable. Building relationships within the team not only fosters a sense of belonging but also opens doors for collaboration and growth.
#### 2. Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Fear of making mistakes can hinder progress. Learning to distinguish between reversible “two-way doors” and irreversible “one-way doors” has allowed me to take calculated risks and learn from failures.
#### 3. Trust Your Instincts
Despite being surrounded by experienced engineers, trusting your instincts and voicing concerns is crucial. More often than not, your instincts are valid, and engaging in open discussions can lead to better outcomes.
#### 4. Ask Questions
Don’t hesitate to seek help when needed. While speed is essential, asking questions can often lead to quick solutions and prevent unnecessary delays. Finding the right balance between independent problem-solving and seeking guidance is key.
#### 5. Prioritize Learning and Understanding
While the urge to prove yourself may be strong, setting aside dedicated time for deep dives into the codebase and system architecture is essential. Building a strong foundation of knowledge will not only enhance your contributions but also boost your confidence in the long run.
In conclusion, my internship at incident.io has been a transformative experience, filled with valuable lessons and growth opportunities. I hope that future interns, whether at incident.io or elsewhere, find these insights helpful in navigating their own internship journeys. I am grateful to the incident.io team for their unwavering support and look forward to the remaining months of my internship.
