A computer is only as good as the information that feeds it. This belief nourishes the computer programming and engineering field, encouraging scores of youth to dive into the relatively nascent field–software programming and engineering have only been a widespread occupation since the 1980s. It’s no wonder there is an explosion of jobs in the field as new technology such as cloud, Big Data, and mobile are embraced. According to SC Magazine, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in February 2017 there was a net increase of 13,000 information technology jobs.
So what is the next generation doing to prepare for this exciting field? They’re seeking out internships.
This semester, Webroot was lucky enough to have 8 interns. I sat down with Clarence Tan, a senior at the University of California, San Diego studying computer science, to get a snapshot into the mind of the next generation of computer greats.
Webroot: Tell me a bit about yourself?
Clarence Tan: I’m a 4th year studying Computer Science at UCSD. For me, I really enjoy software development, because I appreciate problem-solving and building things in general. Outside of coding, some of my interests include watching sports, playing board/video games, and traveling.
Those hobbies sound like a checklist for a lot of the technical folks around here! Besides the obvious overlap of interests, how did you learn about the Webroot internship?
I learned about the Webroot internship through UCSD’s job page (PortTriton). My university has great connections with area businesses like Webroot.
What was enticing about an internship at Webroot?
For me, I wanted to gain more industry experience and further my knowledge in software development to become a better engineer. While I do learn a lot of interesting things at school, I feel I have grown the most through my experiences as an intern.
Wise words, Clarence. There is nothing like “real-world” experience. Take us through a day in the life for you in our San Diego office?
As a software intern, the majority of my time is spent coding, doing research, and having technical discussions regarding the features I am working on. Outside of that, I have scrum meetings every other day, bi-weekly engineering meetings, and one-on-one meetings with Tom Caldwell, my manager. Otherwise, I have a few larger group meetings addressing more general Webroot or office business.
It sounds like you get to be in the weeds on projects. Knowing what you do now, what is your biggest takeaway or lesson learned from this semester?
I think one of the biggest takeaways for me is time management. Since I am still in college, I have to balance my coursework with my internship and other school activities. It was definitely a challenge for me initially, but I feel I’ve learned a lot through this experience and worked through how to balance it all.
While I do learn a lot of interesting things at school, I feel I have grown the most through my experiences as an intern.
If it’s any consolation, I also struggle with time management and balance. There is always one more thing to do! What advice can you share with students in your field?
I’d recommend doing side projects or pursuing an internship. As I mentioned earlier, I feel I’ve grown the most as a developer by applying the knowledge and theory I learned in school to real-world situations. It has allowed me to understand technology better through the application of it. Also, I’d recommend students pursue a part of software development that interests them in particular, which can range from full-stack to DevOps to mobile. These are all very different, but equally important, aspects of development and I believe it is important to do what you enjoy.
Solid advice, Clarence! Now on the flipside, any advice for Webroot?
Continue to rock on with those great snacks.
Thanks, Clarence. I appreciate you taking the time to chat.
If you’re interested in an internship at Webroot, check out our careers page, www.webroot.com/careers.
