Intern of the Week: Kaya Knake for Computer Science!

Thu, 07 Mar 2019 17:26:57 -0500
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Name: Kaya Knake

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Robert Bosch LLC.

Position Title: Intern Software Developer

Major(s)/Minor(s):Computer Science

Work Term: Summer 2018

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

This summer, I was fortunate to intern for a second time with Robert Bosch LLC. I worked within the Information Coordination Organization department to create shared service software. I assisted in database maintenance and created a dashboard in Power BI for Bosch Latin America. On a day-to-day basis, I programmed with SQL, attended customer meetings, and worked independently on assigned projects.

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

I became aware of the internship position for a software developer from a Bosch employee in January 2018. I applied online and had an in-person interview in March. The application process was more streamlined as this was my second internship with Bosch. Therefore, eliminating many of the requirements for new interns, such as watching the online introduction videos, orientation, and some paperwork.

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

As a software development intern at Bosch, I enjoyed employing data visualization tactics to create the dashboards. Data visualization was enjoyable as it allowed me to creatively analyze and display customer data. This experience was enhanced by reading “Storytelling with Data” which explains how people process charts and visuals.

One of my most enjoyable experiences with Bosch was becoming involved with Women in STEM. I assisted in leading a Women in STEM event for Detroit middle schools girls visiting Bosch to learn about working at STEM companies. I lead four sets of girls through a Sphero programming challenge that I wrote. This activity was fulfilling and I was fortunate that Bosch provided me the opportunity to help out our community.

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

I believe I made an impact as a software developer at Bosch through my work on the Power BI dashboard. I created multiple dashboards tailored to customer specifications. I also was given the opportunity to create macros to better organize data, instructed my team on the use of these macros, and apply them to other company dashboards.

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

I would recommend to any other student seeking an internship to avoid limiting yourself during the application process. Internships are an opportunity to gain experience but also can open new doors. Remember to network with your coworkers and have fun!

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Want to be the next Intern of the Week? Make sure to fill out this form and stay tuned. New interns are announced every Friday!