Internships are an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, explore career paths, and discover what it’s really like to work in the tech industry. This summer at Embedded Systems, we welcomed Aleksander, a Design student, and Marcel, a recent graduate, to join our team as interns.
In this article, we sit down with them to hear about their experience: what they learned, the projects they worked on, and how this internship influenced their future plans.
What are you studying/have you studied and why?
Marcel: I studied design at the University of the Arts in Poznań because it combines technical and artistic possibilities. I became very interested in designing user-centered solutions.
Aleksander: I’m also studying design because I enjoyed drawing when I attended a drawing school.
What interests you most in this field?
Marcel: I’m most interested in new technologies and how they influence the way we move through the world.
Aleksander: Ergonomics – how the usability of products affects user comfort.
Was there someone or something that inspired you to make this choice?
Marcel: I was inspired by an artist whose painting classes I attended. I learned to paint still life and figures there, and after talking with her, I decided to apply for design studies.
Aleksander: I was inspired by a friend who also studied it.
Why did you choose our company for your internship, and how did you find us?
Aleksander: I saw a post in a Facebook group for the Academy of Fine Arts. Later, we also received an email with an internship offer. I decided to apply because I like products related to electronics.
Marcel: I found the internship offer thanks to a friend who works here, and later I also saw it on the Embedded Systems website. I was interested in what you do because I’m passionate about new technologies, and I liked the offer for this internship.
What was your first day at the company like? What were your first impressions?
Aleksander: Definitely positive – a nice office and a great team.
Marcel: On my first day, I was shown around all the rooms and introduced myself to all the employees. Everyone was smiling and helpful. I really liked the shared space – the kitchen – where you can exchange ideas. Then, together with Aleksandra, we moved on to the project brief and started with a brainstorming session about what we would work on during the internship. I liked that I had an influence on what I’d be working on.
What projects or tasks did you work on during your internship?
Marcel: We are working on a housing for a drip coffee maker. Additionally, we also worked on a display stand for screens for a company collaborating with Embedded Systems.
Aleksander: I confirm.
What new things did you learn during the internship – both technical and interpersonal skills?
Aleksander: Teamwork on a project and technical knowledge related to electronics.
Marcel: I learned how to work in a team, improved my 3D modeling skills in specialized programs, and developed creative thinking about the objects around us.
Did you receive regular feedback and support from your mentor or team?
Aleksander: Yes.
Marcel: Yes, at every stage of the project we received support, and our mentor helped us with the design process.
How would you rate the team atmosphere? Did you feel like part of the company?
Aleksander: Yes.
Marcel: Absolutely, everyone here is always smiling and supportive.
Was there a particular moment that stood out to you?
Marcel: When Aleksandra brought in the coffee makers, and Olek and I started disassembling them together. I got to see how they work from the inside – it was a very interesting experience.
Aleksander: For me, it was when we purchased a granita machine.
Did the internship influence your career plans? What would you like to do in the future? What kinds of projects?
Marcel: I think this internship pushed me toward working in the technology industry. Previously, I was considering a more traditional design path, but here I realized how important and fascinating it is to combine new technologies with everyday life.
Aleksander: I plan to take postgraduate technical studies at a polytechnic and develop professionally in a direction that combines theory with practice.
Would you recommend an internship at our company to other students? Why?
Marcel: Definitely yes – you can really learn a lot here. It’s a great first step into the professional world.
Aleksander: I also recommend this internship.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
Marcel: Ask as many questions as possible and be open to new acquaintances – you never know how they might develop in the future.
Aleksander: In my opinion, Ms. Aleksandra takes great care of the interns, so there’s no need to worry about anything. But if I were to give one piece of advice, it would be to embrace collaboration because that’s something we often aren’t taught at university.
