Internship Spotlight: Kathalyst

Current student, Cullen McCaleb, shared the following about being a Summer Intern for Kathalyst …

What did you do as an intern at this organization?
As a software development intern at Kathalyst, I assisted the software development team in developing and customizing web applications, troubleshooting software issues, and work with cloud services and databases to support Kathalyst’s AI-driven legacy system modernization.

How did you find this internship?
Handshake

What did you enjoy most about your internship?
What I enjoyed most about my internship was the immersion it offered in the Cambridge tech community. During my time with Kathalyst I worked out of a coworking space, which I shared with many innovators and entrepreneurs from other companies. I found that this arrangement allowed me to fully engage with the tech community.

What did you find challenging?
The biggest challenge I faced was navigating the independence required of me as a member of a startup. My supervisor was quite busy and as a result did not have the time to constantly hold my hand. I had to learn how to digest my broad assignments and tackle any problems that arose, even if I had no experience in the software or coding language I needed to use. I am certainly grateful for this circumstance as I learned a lot!

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to make the most of an internship like yours?
Don’t be afraid to meet new people and ask questions! Everyone enjoys imparting wisdom on an intern, and many opportunities arise due to conversations with your mentors and peers.


By Amory Wakefield
Amory Wakefield Associate Director, Engineering Career Services