Internship Story: How LNDS Shaped Bruno’s Career Goals
In celebration of International Interns Day on 10th November, we’re highlighting the invaluable role interns play at LNDS. Our internship programme is designed to foster growth, offering hands-on experience, dedicated mentorship, and a supportive environment that empowers young talent to make an impact. In this edition of the LNDS People Blog series, we introduce Bruno, a young intern taking his first steps into the professional world with LNDS. Bruno shares his journey, from his initial expectations to the experiences and lessons he’s gained along the way.
Embarking on the LNDS Internship Journey and Discovering Work Life
Bruno, could you first tell us a bit about yourself and what brought you to LNDS for an internship?
I just finished my second year at an engineering school in France and needed an internship to validate the year. A neighbour from my village helped me find an opportunity, and that’s how I ended up at LNDS. I applied, and LNDS accepted me after an interview. This is my first work experience in the field of my studies.
What is your role at LNDS?
I am an IT Support Engineer within the DevSecOps team. The Development Security Operations (DevSecOps) team is part of the Technology team and aims to make software development and operations faster and more efficient by automating processes and improving collaboration. Whenever a colleague needs help, they submit an “IT request” ticket, and then we assist them in resolving the issues they are facing. My job involves helping colleagues with various technical issues, from simple cable connections to more complex computer problems. These tasks are essential for ensuring that everyone can work in optimal conditions.
Knowing that I can be helpful to others makes my job truly worthwhile.
Bruno, LNDS IT Support Engineer Intern
As this internship is you first work experience, what were your expectations before starting at LNDS?
I did not have specific expectations; I was mainly expecting to adapt to my environment and the people around me. I imagined working in a large office or an open space, like the ones you see in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” helping people who needed assistance like handling IT requests. But I think it is better the way it is at LNDS, segmented into smaller teams. The environment is less noisy, and we can have small meetings directly within our team, which is simpler than having people scattered all over a large office and needing to gather in specific meeting rooms. It is better for organisation and teamwork.
Were there any surprises during your internship?
Yes, I was surprised by the flexibility in work hours and the strong team cohesion. The ability to choose our own hours and the supportive team environment really stood out to me. I like to wake up early, so I come to the office around 6 am and leave around 3 pm. This allows me to balance my personal activities.
Integrating through team buildings and active onboarding
How would you say LNDS facilitated your integration into the team and the company culture?
From day one, I was introduced to everyone, which helped put names to faces. During onboarding, I immediately started working with my team, and activities like team lunches and outings made me feel very welcome. The most memorable moments of my internship remain the team-building activities, such as restaurant outings and the adventure park team building. I did not expect this kind of integration at all. It was a pleasant surprise.
These experiences helped build a strong team bond and made my integration smoother.
Bruno, LNDS IT Support Engineer Intern
What lessons or skills have you acquired during your internship?
I have learned to adapt to different environments and gained new knowledge in various IT domains. Working with different software and helping people with issues I was not familiar with taught me a lot about adaptability. It also has given me more confidence and a better understanding of the professional world. I now have a clearer idea of the type of organisation I want to work for in the future and what to look for in terms of work environment and conditions.
Have you faced any particular challenges?
I would not say that I faced challenges, in particular. I would rather call them tasks to be completed. Each task was a learning opportunity, and I approached them all with the same energy and enthusiasm.
Career Aspirations and Future Plans
How has this experience influenced your future career aspirations?
This internship has given me a broader vision of the professional world. It has reinforced my interest in IT but also made me curious about exploring other fields like development and cybersecurity before making a final decision for my studies or future job plans.
You talked about a final decision for your future career, can you tell us more what are your future academic and career plans?
I plan to complete a Master’s degree to become an engineer. While my current focus is general IT, I hope to specialise later in areas like Big Data, AI, or cybersecurity. Regarding career plans, if I have the opportunity, I would love to return to LNDS for future internships, possibly exploring different sectors.
To end with, what advice would you give to other students considering an internship at LNDS?
Most importantly, don’t worry if you are feeling stressed about starting your internship. LNDS has a very supportive environment, and you will quickly acclimate. We are very well supported and guided throughout the internship. Whenever there is a small issue or any need for assistance, your mentor will always be available to help. Honestly, it is great. You also find significant advantages here, such as the flexibility in hours, meal vouchers, team cohesion and diversity, which you may not find in many other companies.
Thank you, Bruno, for sharing your first experience at LNDS. Your journey highlights the essence of our internship program – providing real-world experience, fostering personal and professional growth, and creating a supportive and dynamic work environment.
This story is just one of many at LNDS, where each individual’s journey adds a unique chapter to our collective narrative. Stay tuned for more stories from our diverse team!