In the dynamic world of software development, nothing is more valuable than hands-on experience and an environment that encourages your growth. Quinten Laenen, an intern at Continuum-Jidoka, shares his journey of discovery, growth and fun during his internship period in our Tribe.
From a warm welcome to experimenting with the latest technologies, his story highlights not only his personal development, but also the culture of learning and innovation we foster at Continuum.
Welcome: "A Warm Bath of Hospitality"
Upon my arrival at Continuum-Jidoka, I was showered with a warm hospitality that immediately put me at ease. Gert and Stefan, my dedicated internship supervisors, were always ready to help and share their knowledge. Whether it was explaining complex concepts or answering my countless questions, they were always there for me.
And then there was Bart, the man in administration, who made sure that my internship went smoothly and that I never had to worry about the little things. The atmosphere of support and cooperation I experienced from day one made my internship at Continuum-Jidoka not only educational, but also extremely enjoyable.
Learning process: "A dive into the deep end"
During my internship at Continuum-Jidoka, I immersed myself in a sea of technologies. From building REST APIs to working with Angular 17 and Spring Boot 3, every day brought new challenges and learning moments.
As I made my way through this technological jungle, I quickly discovered where my true passion lay: back-end development. My Java skills got a big boost and my understanding of software architecture grew exponentially.
Internship assignment: "From Challenge to Pride"
My internship assignment at Continuum-Jidoka was a strong challenge that forced me to step outside my knowledge comfort zone and explore new areas. Initially, I had been asked to restructure the back-end of the knowledge checker and implement AI functionalities. However, given my limited experience with these technologies, the team suggested I start my own demo project. This was my chance to put my skills into practice and go deeper into the latest technologies the industry has to offer.
With a solid foundation in Spring Boot and Angular 17, I began my adventure. Spring Boot, known for its speed and easy configuration, allowed me to quickly build a robust backend that was scalable and maintainable. Integrating Angular 17 to the frontend brought my project to life with a modern and responsive user interface.
But without a doubt, the highlight of my internship assignment was exploring the possibilities of AI. With the emergence of artificial intelligence as a crucial tool in software development, this was my chance to push the boundaries of my knowledge. Integrating AI functionalities into my project not only allowed me to deepen my understanding of this groundbreaking technology, but also to experience its potential in real-world applications.
As I worked my way through these complex technologies, I faced new challenges time and again. But thanks to the support and guidance of my Tribe, I managed to overcome obstacles and bring my internship assignment to a successful conclusion. It was a journey full of ups and downs, but the end result was a project that I am proud of and reflects my growth as a software developer.
General Experience: "Lessons from work life"
One of the most valuable aspects of my internship was being introduced to the world of Agile software development. Each morning I began by attending the daily stand-up meeting within the Software Factory, where the team discussed its progress and identified any obstacles. This team worked on different projects, which made this a very teachable moment.
This structured approach not only gave me insight into project progress, but also taught me the importance of transparency and collaboration within a team. As part of the Scrum process, I had the opportunity to have my voice heard, ask questions and actively contribute to the progress of both my and Continuum-Jidoka's other projects.
It was a valuable experience that deepened my understanding of Agile principles and prepared me for working in professional software development teams in the future.
In addition to the technical aspects of my internship, I was also immersed in the unique corporate culture of Continuum-Jidoka. The emphasis on collaboration, open communication and support formed the core of my experience here. Whether it was sharing knowledge during brown bag sessions, receiving constructive feedback during code reviews, or simply sharing a joke during lunch breaks, I always felt part of a tight-knit community.
This culture of support and collaboration fostered my professional development, and also made my internship period at Continuum-Jidoka a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Closer: "High Point."
I enjoyed and learned immensely from my experience. And the most memorable day, will remain Ugly Christmas Sweater Day, when we went to work at the office in our ugliest Christmas sweater.
Thank you Continuum-Jidoka and the colleagues at the Software Factory for an unforgettable internship!
I am already looking forward to April for Part 2.
