Current student Won Kim shared the following about being an intern at Markit Social…
How did you find this internship?
I first stumbled upon the Markit Social internship listing on Handshake. At first, I had my reservations about my eligibility for the position, as it was recommended that an applicant had finished CS-40, which I had not taken yet. Despite my initial doubts, my Tech Lead in JumboCode encouraged me to apply, and his support ultimately led me to take the leap and apply for the internship.
What did you enjoy most about your internship?
Working in a startup environment turned out to be a pleasant surprise during my first internship at Markit. I was initially unsure of what to expect, but I quickly realized that I had underestimated the level of impact interns could have on a company’s products, including the creation of new features. The atmosphere was welcoming and flexible, allowing me to adjust my schedule as needed, and the small company dynamic created a tight-knit community feeling that made me feel right at home. The supportive atmosphere allowed me to ask questions freely and collaborate without hesitation.
What did you find challenging?
The most challenging part of the internship was wrestling with imposter syndrome. Initially, I questioned whether I was the right fit for the role. While I had some experience in web and app development through JumboCode, this was my first time working in a company setting. Wrapping my head around the substantial production-level codebase and getting acquainted with new libraries and tools felt like a big leap. The first few weeks were definitely a bit of a maze, but thankfully, with the support of my software mentor and others at the company, things began to click and as the summer went on, my confidence grew.
What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
One piece of advice I would like to pass along is the importance of being okay with not getting everything perfect from the very beginning. Like I mentioned earlier, I dealt with imposter syndrome, which made it tough for me to ask questions and to accept making mistakes. But as time went on, I found that even the most experienced people face challenges and learn from their missteps. Also, I think it’s important to not shy away from asking questions. I believe it’s not a sign of lacking knowledge, but it instead shows your commitment to understanding and doing your best. Every team member has moments of uncertainty, and by asking questions, you demonstrate your eagerness to collaborate and improve.
