It has been a while since we reported on our internship program (Why a Software Engineer Internship at Strg. Is the Best Decision I Ever Made). Here at STRG, supporting the next generation of tech visionaries is not just part of our mission, but at the core of our organization. We know the significant impact internships can have on young, talented minds, and this conviction is deeply rooted in our DNA. For this reason, we have made supporting aspiring software developers one of the key aspects of our commitment. As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting young talent and giving them the opportunity to explore perspectives in software development, we offer internships in various departments. Whether it is a voluntary exploration of interests or a „mandatory internship“ as part of a degree program, we are here and offer a 360° cycle of perspectives. This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming two interns and guiding them through a workflow that would forever change their view of technology, innovation and career opportunities, while also demonstrating the power of mentorship.
We sat down with our valued interns Philipp Ladich and Felix Schöller to find out what they liked most about their time with us and what they would recommend to future interns. Enjoy reading!
When did you complete your internship at STRG, and what were your tasks?
Philipp: In July 2023, I had the opportunity to complete my internship at STRG. I worked as part of the Data Science and Research Team. In my role as a Data Scientist, I was part of Team Neo, which focuses on some really cool projects in the field of AI and ML. Pretty exciting stuff, I have to say!
Felix: I also had the pleasure of being in Team Neo this summer. My internship lasted the whole of August, and my task was front-end development.
Can you describe the main tasks and responsibilities you had during your internship?
F: I worked on the AGENTS project, which was in its final research phase. Part of my task was to write unit tests and help with the upgrade from Nuxt 2 to 3. It is an open-source framework that can be used to build specialized web applications. This specific task alone was very interesting to me because I want to focus on web development.
P: My work mainly involved researching and testing various Large Language Models (LLMs) and their frameworks, as well as researching new technologies in the field of machine learning. All of this was carefully planned and discussed in advance to familiarize me with current topics and trends and to assess their potential value for future projects.
What was your experience at STRG like, particularly with regard to your professional perspective?
P: From a work perspective, I found it incredibly exciting to research new technologies and present them to the team. While working in Team Neo, I quickly felt integrated and valued. Progress was not only acknowledged, but genuinely appreciated. Overall, it was a dynamic and engaging work environment! F: I can only agree with Philipp! This was my second internship at STRG, and both times it was a fun and incredibly instructive experience.
In what ways did the internship at STRG contribute to your personal or professional development?
F:Both internships at STRG helped me immerse myself in specific areas of software development. During my first internship, I worked on various debugging issues. In my most recent internship, I wanted to focus more on component development. Over the course of the project, I realized that I wanted to pursue a career as a developer. The internships at STRG definitely helped shape my career path!
P: I had the opportunity to explore my dream role in the tech industry. Spending time with experienced Data Scientists added a different dimension to the whole experience, as I gained valuable insights into research and Data Science. I acquired a wealth of new knowledge and skills that will be useful for my future decisions. It was a transformative experience, both personally and professionally.
Do you have any tips or recommendations for future interns who want to join STRG?
P: I definitely highly recommend exploring your own interests and applying for individual internships in different departments. Especially during your studies or semester breaks, as was the case with my internship at STRG. It helps you better understand your interests and discover where your talents lie. Looking back on my time at STRG, I have to praise the relaxed atmosphere and the structured work! Having a „buddy“ who is always available for questions and advice is a concept I strongly support, especially for interns. It makes joining the company easier and ensures that you get the support you need.
F:If you are interested in web development and want to further expand your skills in this area, I can only recommend the internship at STRG. Also, if you have a basic understanding of Git, Netshell and JavaSCript, this is the perfect place to dive deeper. You can work through different areas of interest and do more than one internship, just as I did. A good working environment and a relaxed atmosphere round out the experience and make it easy to stay in touch!
What motivated you to do an internship at STRG, and to what extent were your expectations met?
F: For me, it was an obvious choice. After my last internship, I stayed in touch with the team, and we talked about future opportunities for another internship. I continued my studies, and as soon as I had a specific area of interest in mind, I contacted the team and applied for the summer internship. My expectations were fully met both times. Michael Dosser, the COO and my project mentor, made sure we aligned on every task and helped me get the most out of the practical experience!
P: STRG appealed to me because of its reputation in data science and its high level of innovation. The CEO, Jürgen Schmidt, and my mentor, Lead Data Scientist, Dadhichi Shukla, work closely with many Austrian universities. And many professors are willing to provide recommendations. So there is a strong mutual benefit and a great opportunity to find and bring together employees and employers. In my case, it was a summer internship, but nevertheless my experience at STRG was very insightful. These days, it is difficult to gain practical experience right away or to work directly with cutting-edge technologies, which was exactly what I was looking for in an internship. Gaining access to these things and being part of a project was a very big step for me.
Finally, I would like to thank you for this interesting interview! I am pleased to hear how well you felt looked after here. It was a pleasure to have you with us! It was a lot of fun, and who knows maybe we will see each other again soon! 🙂
P:Many thanks to you and the entire team as well. It was a great experience!
F:Thank you for allowing us to be part of it! It was a great experience and very helpful for our future careers in this field.
“If management does not follow the rules, how can we expect our teams to do so?”
