Software engineer Review

I enjoyed being responsible for my own small project, which was a genuinely important part of a product. I learnt a lot, and I enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the company of all the other interns.

My team mates were always friendly, and I being rusted with a real project definitely made me feel valued.

I had both a manager and a mentor, and there was always at least one of them around to give me help when I was stuck. They made sure I was well-prepared for a task before I headed into it, by talking through it with me, and if I had a problem, I was always given good advice.

I always had a good amount of work too be getting on with. I usually only had one task to work on at a time and it was my responsibility to work on it, so I didn't feel over-pressured.

I was given responsibility for my own small project, something I really enjoyed and valued. However, I never felt out of my depth because I had the support of my team to fall back on, and everything I wrote was reviewed and I got feedback on it.

I learnt coding skills, and also more nebulous things like teamwork and communication skills, and ability to work on a project independently and to know when to seek assistance. All of these will be useful to me in my degree and many of them will be important beyond that, I'm sure.

The office was friendly and relaxed. Mainly, people are working quietly, but it feels like everyone will help each other out if there's a problem. There is a flexi-time arrangement, so you can have a lie-in if you prefer, or leave a bit earlier. There's also plenty of free tea and biscuits! They even encouraged me to try out my new quadrocopter around the office. :)

My project had been set aside for me, and my manager had prepared the materials I'd need to ramp-up and then get started. It was well-planned.

A week or so was spent teaching me about the product I'd be working on, and how to use it (it would have been more, but this is my second internship with the company).

I'm hopeful that if I applied for a job, I'd do well, though I haven't yet. Comments were made to the effect that a good internship holds you in good stead for getting a job, and this is borne out by the experiences of the other interns.

There are quite a few interns were I'm working (about 20 at the peak), and we had parties, and drinks together, and hang out at lunch. Because many of us live in company houses, we're close and there is a good social scene.

I'm living in a subsidised company house, so that's cheap! I've been going to central London by train quite a lot, which doesn't cost too much, though it's a bit expensive in there.

Enfield doesn't really have much to do, but it's easy to get the train into London and do things there.

There are many different sport social groups, a board games club, and of course we've had some intern parties.