Wednesday, August 14, 2024
As we reach the midpoint of the Init Summer School 2024, it's the perfect time to reflect on the journey so far. Our interns have been hard at work, tackling real-world challenges, learning new skills, and growing both professionally and personally. In this blog post, we share insights from our interns: Mila Vidoevska, Gorjan Spirovski, Petar Mladenovski, Martin Adziev, Matej Dzajkov, and Ivan Stefanovski - who reflect on their experiences, achievements, and the invaluable mentorship they’ve received.
Challenges and triumphs
Below, our Interns share their motivations for joining the Init Summer School, their backgrounds, and what they hope to achieve during the program. Their testimonials provide a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic group of individuals who are shaping the future of technology - and we are more than delighted to provide the platform!
The interns have faced numerous challenges that tested their problem-solving skills and technical knowledge. Mila highlighted the difficulty of planning and organizing tasks: "Even with the necessary technical knowledge, without proper planning, the work cannot be completed successfully or on time." Gorjan discussed the complexity of integrating IoT devices with Azure IoT Hub: "Balancing the technical aspects with developing a user-friendly application required careful coordination and problem-solving."
Petar emphasized the challenge of integrating Azure services: "Ensuring seamless communication between multiple Azure services has been one of the most significant challenges so far." Meanwhile, Martin shared his struggle with ambiguous project requirements: "I've had to rely on my problem-solving skills to devise simple yet impactful solutions." Matej faced the steep learning curve of adapting to new technologies like Azure and Angular: "It was my first time working with them, which made the experience both challenging and rewarding."Proud achievements
Despite the challenges, the interns have much to be proud of. Mila is particularly pleased with the team’s excellent communication: "It allowed us to meet expectations and make steady progress." Gorjan takes pride in the development of their web application: "Building a system that provides meaningful insights through data visualization has been highly rewarding."
Petar reflected on his technical accomplishments: "Successfully building my first digital twin and developing a simulator using Azure IoT Hub and Function Apps have been significant achievements." Martin shared his pride in the team's rapid learning: "The fact that we have successfully achieved the goals we set for each sprint demonstrates our ability to work efficiently." Matej and Ivan are proud of expanding their skill sets with new technologies like Azure and Angular, showcasing their adaptability and growth.
The value of mentorship
The mentorship experience has been a cornerstone of the interns' growth. They all agree and are appreciative of the mentors' supportive approach:
"Without their guidance and feedback, our progress would have been much slower – The mentorship has been pivotal in shaping our approach and ensuring best practices." - Init Summer School 2024 Interns on the mentors' role and support
Gaining new skills and knowledge
The interns have gained a wealth of new skills and knowledge, particularly in IoT and cloud technologies.
Petar has gained expertise in Azure cloud technologies: "My knowledge in Azure IoT Hub and Azure Function Apps has expanded significantly." Martin has developed skills in using various Azure services: "I now understand how data is transmitted to the cloud and processed by Azure Functions." Mila has expanded her knowledge on the Internet of Things: "I learned the most in the IoT area and improved my web technologies skills." Matej and Ivan have also deepened their understanding of Azure and DevOps, applying this knowledge to real-world projects, while Gorjan has honed his abilities in managing IoT devices: "I’ve enhanced my skills in managing and integrating IoT devices with cloud platforms."
Professional and personal growth
The Summer School experience has catalyzed both professional and personal growth for the interns. Matej highlighted the importance of clear communication: "Being able to convey ideas succinctly has become paramount in my professional interactions." Ivan mentioned his growth in collaboration and teamwork, essential for achieving collective goals while Mila noted: "I grew by applying many concepts that I previously understood only theoretically." Gorjan reflected on his broadened capabilities: "I have developed stronger problem-solving skills and resilience, learning to navigate challenges rapidly." Petar emphasized the hands-on experience that has made him a more skilled developer: "I've grown in resilience and adaptability, learning to tackle challenges head-on." Martin discussed his more strategic approach: "I've developed a more strategic approach to managing complex projects."
As the Init Summer School 2024 progresses, our interns continue to rise to the challenges, achieve significant milestones, and grow both professionally and personally. Their reflections offer valuable insights into the transformative power of hands-on experience, mentorship, and teamwork. We look forward to seeing how they will continue to develop and make an impact as the program concludes.