Name: Ruthann Dolinka

Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Collins Aerospace

Position Title: Embedded Software Engineer Intern

Major or Program: Computer Science  /

Current Class Level: Senior

Work Term: Summer 2022

Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.

During my internship I was responsible for setting up a Jenkins Server. I installed the Jenkins software on a desktop computer, connected the desktop to three NI-test stations, and then configured Jenkins to test project code. 

Jenkins is software that performs continuous Integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD). This means that Jenkins is able to autonomously test code and send out a notification of the results of those tests. This is useful because it allows code to be tested much more quickly and can catch errors that may not be caught for a long time with manual tests. Projects being worked on by multiple people often benefit from the use of Jenkins, as it is easy for a change to one person’s code to conflict with another person’s code. Jenkins solves this problem by continuously integrating and testing code when a change is made so that errors can be caught early.

My daily responsibilities consisted of working on setting up the Jenkins server, talking with my team or other onsite employees to discuss solutions, and attending meetings. I would often work on researching a problem or writing scripts at my desk. I would also work in the lab on the desktop and test station hardware. I would have a meeting every other week with my team to discuss my project progress as well as listen to the status of my teams other projects.

By the end of my internship I had completed all the goals set for my project. The Jenkins software would clone the SVN repository for the project, copy to the code to the test station, execute the test, copy the test results to the Jenkins server, and then email out a notification with the status of the test as well as the test results and build log attached as artifacts.

I really enjoyed my experience during this internship and I learned a lot about both the professional development process and code development. I improved my python, batch, and scripting skills and got the chance to work on my networking skills and meet many new people. I hope to be able to secure a full time position with Collins Aerospace in the future. 

Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application? 

The process I went through to obtain this position was different then the majority of the internship positions I applied to. Most positions I applied to through a company website, usually hearing about the position through UMBCworks or LinkedIn.

I heard about this position when I attended the online 2021 SWE conference. The UMBC Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) organization made it possible for me to attend this conference. They sponsored me and several other CWIT students to attend the conference. I submitted my resume when registering for the conference, and I was later contacted by a Collins Aerospace recruiter who expressed interest in setting up an interview after the conference.

After the conference I got the chance to do two interviews with two different recruiters from Collins. After the interview they informed me that they would meet with other Collins recruiters to discuss the candidates they interviewed and try to determine which where the best fit for the positions they were trying to fill. Sometime after the interviews I was presented with an offer. I later did another interview with the manager I would be working under during my internship.

Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

Career Fairs, Student Organizations/Scholar Groups, SWE Conference, CWIT 

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?  

What I enjoyed most about working for Collins has been the working environment, my team, the work, and the resources and events available to me. The working environment at Collins was very supportive and I felt welcome and that I had everything I needed to do my job. For example, towards the end of my internship I started to feel a lot of pain in my wrist from using the mouse. I visited the nurse on site and she did a physical assessment and supplied me with two ergonomic mice to try and an ice pack. I always felt that I could reach out to anyone on the site or in my team for assistance, whether it was the IT department, my manager, or the nurse.

My team was very supportive and we had biweekly meetings to check the progress of the projects we were working on. I was assigned a mentor and I felt I could reach out to her at any time.

The work was challenging but also enjoyable. I felt like I was learning and improving my skills while working on my project, but still had fun working on it. The project felt relevant to my major and like I was working on something meaningful that would be used after I left.

Collins had many resources and events available to me. I often attended workshops and met with other interns and full time staff for activities. There were also paid opportunities to have fun such as wellness day.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I believe my work made an impact at the company. My work was used on an actual project for a client and was able to catch an error in the code. My project is also being used now even after the end of my internship. The documentation I wrote will be used in the future by whoever takes over my project.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience? 

My internship with Collins Aerospace was a great experience and I learned a lot from it. I had a great time and met some great people while improving my coding and networking skills. I got the chance to see what it is like working in the industry and work on a project that would have an impact.

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UMBC and nonprofit AI4ALL have partnered to offer undergraduate students in any major who are not seniors the opportunity to apply to the College Pathways Discover AI program

HOW

Apply online by February 14, 2023

WHAT

Discover AI is a virtual program that provides students with a project-based introduction to computer science, machine learning, data, artificial intelligence, and tech careers through the lens of societal and ethical impact. In addition, students get access to AI industry leaders and are guided through a roadmap to cultivate a future career in the AI industry.

What are both the positive and negative implications of AI technology on society? How can (and does) AI affect communities in today's world? Through research, discussions, and reflection, you will explore the intersectionality of AI with other fields and articulate your own mindful perspective of AI. The program is facilitated at no cost to students.

Students that complete the program will emerge with actionable next steps in pursuing an academic or career path in AI  and the opportunity to continue in the following semester to our second program, Apply AI and direct mentorship from industry leaders in the AI and tech industry from companies like  Google, Capital One, Facebook, Slalom Consulting, Accenture, Pearson and more. At the end of the program, students receive a Certificate of Completion and access to the AI4ALL Changemakers community with additional resources, ongoing support and mentorship.

WHO

It's available for undergraduate first-year students, sophomores, and juniors with all coding and/or computing/AI levels, including everything from no experience to advanced. If you're a computing major, the program is a great supplement to your existing coursework. If you are not, we welcome you as well! If accepted, you will have the opportunity to learn more about artificial intelligence in a safe and thoughtful environment that offers you the chance to consider AI as a future career option and as a presence in your major industry/discipline. We recommend that students without a coding background take the first four modules for free here at EdX before the program begins. AI4ALL programs are designed to bring together and highlight voices that have been historically excluded and that will lead and shape the future of AI. 

WHEN

The ten-week program starts on February 24 and includes both synchronous meetings on Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 pm as well as asynchronous instruction.

GET MORE INFORMATION

Discover AI program has 30 minute online information sessions on 1/19, 1/23, 1/30, 2/2, 2/6,  and 2/9. Click on the select a date button to register for one. You can also review the program's application for more details. Send email to ai4all@cs.umbc.edu if you still have questions.

Have you ever been terrified of the unexpected questions a potential employer may ask you in an interview? Me too! The unknown of the interviewing process scares many people, not just you. If you struggle with preparation for interviews, I am here to help! If you don't know me already, my name is Molly Walker, and I am a Career Peer at the Career Center. Like you, I am a UMBC student with access to a wide range of resources available at the Career Center. 

If you haven't had much experience with interviewing yet,,anticipating the kind of questions that you may be asked may be a daunting prospect. That's why we give UMBC students free access to the Big Interview. 

You may ask, what exactly is the Big Interview? It is a website that provides instructional modules on how to answer interview questions and offers simulated interviews for you to master. Some important features include:

• Video learning modules: In the Learn tab on the site, a compilation of modules on multiple interview topics. Within the interview modules, you can choose to watch the video modules that fit you best.

• Interview Question Library: This resource provides you with insider advice to prepare for questions across multiple categories, such as: Industry, Competency, College Admissions, Government Positions, and Veteran Experiences! 

• Practice Interviews: Normally, the best way to practice for an interview is to prepare in the mirror or with a friend. Yet, Big Interview took that approach and elevated it! My favorite feature of Big Interview is the mock interview simulation. Using the knowledge from the modules and your pick of questions, you are prompted by a pre-recorded interviewer to respond appropriately. There are also different difficulty levels for the pre-recorded interviewers spending on the moderator. In a real interview, it can be difficult to analyze the quality of your answers due to the anxiety and stress of the moment. It can feel as though your brain is cloudy as you concentrate on answering the questions. By answering the questions beforehand on Big Interview, you can assess your responses without the stress and anxiety of a real interview. 

• Interview Recording: You can record yourself answering the questions in the mock interview and immediately view for self-reflection. You can also send your recorded videos to receive feedback from Career Center staff, including me! The Career Center has strong interviewing expertise and can provide advice and feedback you may have never considered. Specifically, once you have completed a mock interview on Big Interview, complete these steps to send the videos to the Career Center: 

1. Go to the tab on the top of the screen "My Videos"

2. Check the mark next to the video you want to share

3. The blue "Share" button on the top right-hand side of the page

4. Click "E-mail the following people" and enterinterviews@umbc.edu

5. Click add email after you have entered the above email address

6. Click "Share Now," and your video will be sent.

7. You will receive feedback through the Big Interview platform within 48 hours of your request during the weekdays.

Big Interview is incredibly unique, and in my opinion, an under-utilized resource that the Career Center provides. No matter your situation, Big Interview is ready to help you prepare! Though Big Interview is a tremendous resource, you may find you would like some extra assistance. Some additional resources available at the Career Center are:

• Accessing the Big Interview Demo on our website if you want to learn more about how to get started. 

• Setting up an Interview Prep appointment with a Career Advisor using Handshake.

• If you find yourself with some extra time on your hands during winter break, it is the perfect time to visit us! Check out our Career Center Winter Hours and get a jump on preparing for and landing those Spring and Summer jobs or internships.

Remember, no one is born perfect at interviews! Rest assured that, like anything else, you can easily conquer your interviews with some support and practice. We are happy to help you through that process. Happy Practicing!