For context, I am an Integrated Engineering Student at UBC (with a minor/major in Electrical/Computer Engineering), heading into my 4th and final year. I’ve had 2 internships in the past, and this is my third one.
In November 2019, when I was applying for my last internship, I faced some difficult questions: what was I looking for, and what did I want to get out of it? These questions came up again and again as I went through my job search and ultimately, I decided I wanted to try something new. I went for a job that provided insight into the business side of things, in addition to the software side. Groundswell Cloud Solutions delivered on this, and more.
Structured Onboarding and A Step In The Right Direction
One aspect that drew me towards Groundswell Cloud solutions was the ramp-up period containing a project dedicated to interns, which I first heard about during my interview. I did not have this at any of my previous internships, and it was a fantastic period to explore and learn about Salesforce, apply it, and make mistakes. Not only does the project simulate a real-world client project, preparing you with hands-on experience, but it also provides an amazing opportunity to discuss what you’re learning with other co-workers, collaborate, and ask a ton of questions. In addition to building something from the ground up, I also learned a ton from this experience in terms of what to do and what not to do on an actual project.
A Positive and Collaborative Culture
As someone who loves to ask questions, down to the nitty-gritty details of how something works, I highly value the people and culture of a company that can answer my tough questions. From as early as the interview process, I immediately noticed the friendly, supportive, and helpful nature of Groundswell’s culture. Everyone at Groundswell is very knowledgeable and always willing to lend a hand, which I found extremely useful for learning concepts quickly, and for grasping the idea behind complex problems. People are very receptive to questions here, and more often than not, they go above and beyond answering the questions you ask!
Growth At Groundswell
Groundswell Cloud Solutions is a consultancy, and that’s worth pointing out because the opportunities here are very different from a typical big-name software company. It is a lot easier to interact with and get to know others here, because of its small size, which allows you to explore roles ranging from the business side (client-facing, prospecting, etc.) to the more technical side (coding, architecting, testing, etc.). I found that especially valuable as an intern because, as students, we’re always learning and curious. Here at Groundswell, you have the unique opportunity to see these roles in action, and the chance to interact with the people behind these roles!
If any of these aspects of an internship sound interesting to you, I’d encourage you to apply here! I hope this provides some insight into what it’s like to be an intern at Groundswell Cloud Solutions. Feel free to also connect with me on LinkedIn, and best of luck in your job search!