Describe your role and what it entails.

I worked as software engineer associate within an Agile Scrum team responsible for developing and maintaining e-commerce products. It involved writing code for features using front-end and back-end technologies, while ensuring adherence to quality standards using various testing tools and techniques. I also collaborated closely with product owners, architects, and UX designers to ensure features precisely met the outlined requirements.

As a member of the Scrum team, I also contributed to showcasing the team’s progress. I delivered demos that provided explanations of functionalities we had developed. These presentations were an important part of our iterative process to ensure that all stakeholders were familiar with the feature. Continuous skill development was a core aspect of my role, involving sponsored training courses and pair programming with senior engineers.

What have been your highlights?

One of the significant highlights of my experience was the opportunity to participate in hackathons. These events allowed me to collaborate with my team, brainstorm creative solutions, and put our coding skills to the test in a fun and competitive environment. It was an enjoyable way to learn, innovate, and bond with the team.

Another noteworthy highlight was the release and presentation of the features we developed at our sprint reviews. These moments were not only professionally fulfilling but also personally rewarding. It was exhilarating to see our hard work come to life in front of stakeholders and receive their feedback. These experiences instilled a sense of accomplishment and pride in the work we were doing.

Receiving, the SAP "Stay Curious" award was a delightful surprise. It came as an unexpected yet exciting recognition for my efforts and to personally realize my inner abilities and disposition. I was incredibly honoured to have been considered for this. It has also inspired me to continue working hard and striving for excellence.

What have been your challenges?

During my placement, my main challenge was adapting to the technologies being used as well as the custom conventions and patterns used in the codebase. This initially made me feel incapable of contributing effectively and hindered my ability to articulate complex ideas. To overcome this, I proactively studied the framework, experimented with coding projects, and asked a lot of questions during pair programming and team meetings. I maintained a growth mindset and gradually became familiar with the technologies and related concepts. This experience ultimately improved my professional and personal growth, thanks to the patient guidance of my team.

What have you learnt from your experience in the role?

From this experience, I have had the opportunity to gain invaluable exposure to the real-world practice and acquired practical knowledge and skills which would significantly enhance my readiness to tackle future challenges with confidence. I improved my programming and problem-solving skills, learned best practices and design patterns relevant to my career, and enhanced my communication skills through presentations and interactions with team members.

What advice would you give to a student following in your footsteps?

My own journey has taught me that learn that actively pursuing skill development and continuous learning are essential to personal and professional growth. I would advise myself and others welcome complex concepts, dive deep into them and seek help without hesitation when stuck. I would also see challenge as opportunities for growth and always aim for the best in all endeavours. Moreover, I would also try my best to surround myself with bright minds, seek mentorship and work with colleagues who inspire and challenge me. Finally, I would look for environments that encourage support and collaboration as they are great for learning and growing.