Retail Technical Sales Intern Review

Assembling computer equipment such as brand new laptops, setup with the correct software for a press event showcase. This can sometimes involve assembling new PC's with unreleased hardware, for testing or press event showcases. Most of the time is spent with hardware doing benchmarking and stability testing. Ensuring close to production hardware is correctly functioning. Testing with games, gathering data to be used in press material for elements such as percentages and comparisons with hardware from competetors (Apple & AMD mostly) Occasional opportunities arise for international events, and paid business trips. This is however low priority and not typically advertised for the reason that Interns are low priority for these events.

Initial confidence in computer assembly is a must,as a lot of time is spent working with very expensive hardware. My existing computer skills for troubleshooting came in very useful for this, as well as general competence for working with electronics. Knowledge of games (specifically tuning game settings for best results) was a top aspect, alongside general knowledge of benchmarking software, as well as the capability to learn new software such as internal programs. Occasional data handling is necesarry, so knowledge in Office programs especially excel is important.

I was provided with many responsibilities right from the start, as management is not always in office, so you are expected to be self sufficient regardless of the task. I was sole responsible multiple times for press event preperation, alongside safe packing and shipping. Occasionally I would work with other teams, who would also work on very high end equipment for servers and testing. Being able to be trusted hands on with expensive equipment was a big responisiblity in my placement and really helped with my confidence in a busy workplace and large corporation.

Multiple different levels of management & bosses, alongside many 1on1's meant i was never left alone for too long, but you were also never looked over and watched constantly. Guidance within the company was excellent, and taken very seriously. Mental health is taken very seriously so guidance is easily given when required. Any element of the internship can have questions asked. You never have any expectancy as you're just a placement intern. While the interviews are quite thorough, you are initially trained with the previous intern for a month, by which point you are knowledged enough with the majority of your expected day to day tasks. All other tasks are provided with the expectancy you know, but not the requirement.

A lot of the interns organise events, but this often bottles down to going out and drinking. Otherwise theres lots of events done, paid by the company volunteering work in the local area. Otherwise in day to day work you are busy doing your own work, and a lot of the workplace preferrs to have lunch privately, so the main canteen area tends to be very quiet. That being said, quite a lot of interns still have lunch together in the canteen, and it is often the best place to catch up, discuss work and other life events, and can be quite fun.

Although my internship had many changes due to layoffs, I still enjoyed my time and would reccomend an internship at intel. That being said, the expectancy of graduate roles opening up is minimal at best, but that is a factor learned during your year here, that many tech companies are downsizing and having budget cuts. I made many friends here, and hope to stay in contact through the future. Intern based events can often just bottle down to going out drinking, so if you're not into that don't be afraid to organise other events and get involved with volunteering opportunities.

Yes

Many of the jobs involve multiple interviews, tests, and some roles have group assesments so you're pit against one another. While i was lucky to not get that type of interview, Its an aspect to be wary of. Being local to the office is definitily not a requirement, but it depends on your role (hardware centric etc) and at the minimum you will need to access the office for certain events, team meeting days etc. The interviews are otherwise very good, they informed me i got the job very quickly, and they stay in touch throughout your 2nd year of uni.