interview
5 min. read
IAESTE interns at MakoLab
Friday 5th August 2022
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) was set up in 1948 to work for integration and the promotion of international understanding after World War II.
Over seventy-plus years, the organisation has grown to huge proportions, filling its ranks with members from more than eighty-five countries and setting up collaborative initiatives with over five thousand companies and institutions.
Over seventy-plus years, the organisation has grown to huge proportions, filling its ranks with members from more than eighty-five countries and setting up collaborative initiatives with over five thousand companies and institutions.
IASTE’s international internship programme operates in more than eighty of the member countries. As well as building international understanding, it aims to develop students’ professional and linguistic knowledge.
MakoLab has long been involved in the international exchange programme and we host students from different parts of the world every year. Insights is delighted to introduce you to Rojin and Gerard, our IASTE interns for 2022
Could you start by telling us a bit about yourselves?
I’d always envisaged myself working at a computer. My plan was to design and mill prosthetic restorations using CAD/CAM. While I was at university, I worked as a camera operator and editor. And I worked with graphics. I’ve been using Linux and open source tools for ages. As far back as I can remember, I was sending information about the errors I found to the developers. Later on, I lived with a friend for a while. She’s a tester and she talked me into sending off my CV and starting out in the profession.
Rojin
I’m Rojin, I’m twenty-two years old and I’m from Iran. I’m in the final year of studies for my bachelor’s degree in IT and I can say without hesitation that I love my subject. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity of starting to work in the business and I’m really excited about what I can learn during the process. But we don’t live by work alone, so I do try to keep a balance between the job and enjoying myself!
Gerard
My name’s Gerard. I come from Spain… from Barcelona in Catalonia, to be precise. I’m twenty-one and I’m studying for two degrees at once, in computer engineering and video game production. That takes five years in total and just I’ve completed the fourth year. This is my first job focused on programming and I’m really excited about the opportunity to put the knowledge I’ve acquired during my studies to work in life.
How did you both find out about the IAESTE programme and why did you choose MakoLab?
Rojin
Last year, a friend of mine had an IAESTE internship offer and she went to Vienna. I found out about it from her and decided to go for it. To get onto the programme, I had to pass an English language test and get through an internal interview and then I could explore the internship offers from various countries and companies. MakoLab’s offer struck me as a really interesting chance to gain some experience in software testing. I had a look at what the company offers and I liked the organisational culture and the fact that you work for major global brands. In addition, I think that Poland’s a beautiful country and I really wanted to visit it. And I haven’t been disappointed! I had a very warm reception and I really do like your country!
Gerard
I’m on my way to getting an academic title in IT and I wanted to get my first experience in the commercial world. I’ve always known that I’d work in an international environment and this kind of internship seemed to me to be a more than appropriate way to set out on my IT adventures. MakoLab looked like the best of all the offers I received. You’re a large company and you have a thriving quality assurance team. And I’ve heard that, to get into the IT world, you need to start out in testing if you want to go on to become a genuine expert. Once I’d chosen the company, I had an interview with the head of QA, Dominik Smajek. It lasted nearly an hour and simply confirmed my conviction that I’d made a good decision.
How long are you with us for?
Rojin
I’ll be here in Łódź for two months.
Gerard
I’m here for three months. Until 23rd October, to be precise.
And what do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Rojin
I love going for walks, wandering around the neighbourhood. I’m also interested in music. I play the piano.
Gerard
As someone whose studies are related to video game production, you won’t be surprised to hear that my interests include video games… though that’s not the only thing! You might find me deep in a fantasy novel or creating a role-playing game based on the Dungeons and Dragons. I also like to escape to the gym two or three times a week to get myself moving a bit. It’s an excellent work-out for the body and an ideal time out for the brain and I really do value that form of activity.
We really value the opportunity of hosting these young people, filled with enthusiasm, commitment and openness to new challenges. We’re delighted that we can be the place where they acquire their first experience and broaden their knowledge. Mind you, it’s not only a question of them learning from us. We also learn from them. For instance, there’s their amazing attitude to life, the smile that never leaves their faces and the sparkle in their eyes, which light up at the very thought of new horizons!
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Author
Kamila Braszak
Employer Branding Specialist
MakoLife, Employees, MakoLab Team, People, Interns