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Jonathan Fetterolf
Jonathan Fetterolf

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My Journey into Software Development: First Week of Internship

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New internship, who dis...?


Introduction:

Starting my new internship in software development/data management has been an exciting and challenging experience. In this blog post, I will share the details of my first week, including the onboarding process, setting up the development environment, and creating a basic application using Create React App. Let's dive into my journey!

Onboarding:

During my first week, the onboarding process played a crucial role in helping me become familiar with the company's culture, policies, and expectations. Here are the key aspects of my onboarding experience:

General onboarding and paperwork:

I went through various forms and documents to officially join the company. This involved signing employment agreements, filling out tax forms, and providing necessary identification documents.

Computer setup:

Setting up my work computer was an essential step. I was guided through the process of connecting to the company's network, installing necessary software, and configuring security settings.

Logging into accounts:

I received credentials for different accounts, such as email, project management tools, and version control systems. I made sure to secure my passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

Setting up applications:

To streamline my development workflow, I installed and configured applications specific to the company's tech stack. This included code editors, integrated development environments (IDEs), and communication tools.

Email Signature:

I created a professional email signature that includes my name, position, and contact information. I followed the guidelines provided by the company to maintain a consistent and professional image in my communications.


Trainings:

As an intern, I underwent several training sessions to familiarize myself with important aspects of the company's operations and policies. Here are the key areas I received training in:

Ethics:

Understanding and adhering to ethical standards is crucial in any professional setting. I received training on the ethical considerations related to my work, including intellectual property, data privacy, and confidentiality.

Harassment:

Promoting a safe and inclusive workplace environment is essential. I participated in harassment training to learn how to recognize and prevent any form of harassment, fostering a respectful work environment for all employees.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act):

Since I am interning at an organization that handles healthcare data, I received training on HIPAA regulations. These regulations aim to protect the privacy and security of patient health information.

Code of Conduct:

Every organization has a code of conduct that outlines acceptable behavior and expectations from employees. I familiarized myself with the company's code of conduct to ensure I aligned my actions with its principles.


Hybrid Work

Understanding my work schedule and attendance requirements was crucial for a successful internship. In this case, the internship follows a hybrid model with mostly remote work but requires me to be in the office one day per week. I made sure to plan my tasks and assignments accordingly.


Setting up the Integrated Development Environment (IDE):

As a software development intern, setting up my development environment was essential for efficient coding. Here's a breakdown of the tools and frameworks I worked with:

Visual Studio Code:

I installed Visual Studio Code (VS Code), a popular code editor that provides a rich set of features for editing and debugging code. I configured VS Code according to the company's preferences.

Node.js:

I installed Node.js, a JavaScript runtime that allows me to run JavaScript code on the server-side. Node.js provides a powerful ecosystem and libraries that I can leverage in my projects.

Node Version Manager (NVM):

I utilized Node Version Manager (NVM), a handy tool that helps manage multiple versions of Node.js on my system. It allowed me to switch between different Node.js versions with ease.

Yarn:

Yarn helps manage dependencies in projects by providing a reliable and efficient way to install, update, and manage the packages your project depends on.

Git:

Git offers numerous benefits and features that make it an essential tool for developers including version control, easy collaboration, creating branches, and merging branches.


Learn the Create React App

I primarily used tutorials on YouTube to learn the Create React App framework. These are the two tutorials I found most useful:
Tutorial 1
Tutorial 2

Creating an Application

After learning the basics, I was asked to create a simple application. These were the initial requirements for the application:

  1. Add a few pages to navigate between
  2. Create a clicker widget that allows you to count both up and down
  3. Make a separate page that has the functionality to filter through an array
  4. Make a list of car objects (at least 10) that have the following data fields: Unique Id, Model, Year, Color, Image Source
  5. Create a functionality that will ingest data, and filter results
  6. Create text fields to allow for user input
  7. Output results
  8. Limit results so there are no duplicates

Summary:

My first week of interning has been an enlightening and invigorating experience. From seamless onboarding to immersive training and hands-on development, I have gained valuable insights and embarked on a remarkable journey. The supportive work environment, the introduction to cutting-edge development tools, and the captivating world of data management have set the stage for an exciting internship filled with growth, learning, and countless opportunities. I eagerly look forward to what lies ahead as I continue to expand my skills and contribute to the company's mission.


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