I strongly feel that I know what I like doing and what should be my next options to progress in my career.
Name: Himanshu Surve
Major: Telecommunications
Employer: Nokia
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
How did you find the internship/co-op? What was the interview process like? I applied for thisco-op through their official website. The interview process was a bit challenging but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I was nervous in the beginning but the interviewers were kind enough to make it a conversation rather than traditional interview process.
What campus activities or courses do you think helped you, or would have helped you, with this internship? Our courses did really help us build a strong foundation; it helped us with all the basics needed to get started. Campus activities and events helped me build better interpersonal skills and gain a good understanding of the culture around.
How would you describe the company culture? What was the most helpful thing your supervisor did to make you feel comfortable at the organization? The company culture makes you feel included and comfortable to settle in. The activities, events, and work culture helped maintain a positive work-life balance. Our supervisor planned various events on Fridays to help us get to know each other. We would often have team lunches, and I felt that it was a good initiative to make us interns feel comfortable.
Was there a formal program for all interns at the company? Was peer support available throughout the internship? Yes, there were various formal programs hosted for interns across all sites of Nokia. We were assigned mentors to request support, and grow personally & professionally.
How have your career or academic goals changed as a result of this internship experience? I strongly feel that I know what I like doing and what should be my next options to progress in my career. I have a clear vision of what I should focus on.
What advice would you give other UMD engineering students seeking an internship or co-op position? Start your applications as soon as possible. Keep a track of your applications, and network as much as possible through social media (LinkedIn). Follow up and keep the conversation going. Schedule appointments with Engineering Career Services to get their suggestions on cover letters and resumes. Reach out to your professors/advisors/seniors/alumni; they will point you in the right direction when you feel lost. Keep learning new skills; they will only help you grow.
Top