My Summer at Bauer Automate

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 16:02:26 -0600

An Internship Experience to Remember

Hello Readers!

I'm Dean, and I've had the incredible opportunity to intern at Bauer Automate during the summer of 2023. As I gear up for Grade 11 at Western Canada High School in Calgary, Alberta, I wanted to share my journey with you.

Who Am I?

I am a visual learner that is passionate in the systematic approach of computer science, the fundamental principles of physics, and the innovative potential of robotics. One of my most cherished moments was during my first robotics competition, there was an issue in the code base so I had to overhaul the entire system in less than 2 hours to change the coding language from C# to Java. Thanks to my tenacity and willingness to work under extreme pressure led to my team winning the competition.

Landing the Internship

Securing a summer internship as a Grade 10 student wasn't easy. However, thanks to the Careers' Internship Program, I found my fit at Bauer Automate. Countless hours of fine-tuning my resume and cover letter paid off, landing me in my first "big league" job. My sole aim was to broaden my skill set and explore various avenues in tech.

An Odyssey of Learning

The internship unfolded as an exhilarating rollercoaster of learning and hands-on experience. I kick-started the summer by acquiring the Microsoft PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate, empowering me to leverage Microsoft's low-code tools to innovate in the low code no code tech space.

Simultaneously, I contributed to digital marketing initiatives, scripting and producing educational videos about the Power Platform. This creative outlet also led me down the rabbit hole of meme video creation, adding a lighthearted spin to my technical endeavors, and as well as logo animation using Blender.

Towards the tail-end of my internship, I focused on Microsoft Power Apps, where I created applications aimed at solving various business challenges. This included:

Cataloging a database of over 200 questions with over 20 different categories into SharePoint lists for field workers to record the correct question to the right category

Created an application Filtering and sorting an over 6000-row database based on filters and predefined end user criteria in a presentable and easy to understand way.
Discovering the offline functionality of Microsoft Power Apps to help remote workers without access to the internet to be able to submit tickets and inspections to a database.

Lessons Learned

My time at Bauer Automate was a mix of highs and fun challenges. A particularly memorable moment was when David, my mentor and manager, pointed out a design discrepancy in one of my projects. I had overlooked the details of his PowerPoint design, leading to a valuable lesson in attention to detail. This challenge, among others, taught me the importance of repetition and practice in mastering any skill.

Wrapping Up

I walked away with a PL-900 certificate and an invaluable work experience that gave me a sneak peek into life in tech. This internship was instrumental in affirming my passion towards the tech industry. While I'm open to traditional development paths like Python, C++, C#, and Java, I'm equally enthusiastic about exploring low-code and no-code avenues. The specific tech niche I want to delve into is still a decision in the making. My internship was a transformative experience, shaping my academic interests into tangible skills and providing clarity about my future in the tech world.

Golden Nuggets for Future Interns

For aspiring interns out there, embrace challenges and learning opportunities—they're your gateway to growth. Here are my quick tips for you:

Pay Attention to Detail: Small aspects like font, color, size, and syntax can make or break your project.
Read with Purpose: Don't just read—understand through experience and conversations.
Practical Application: Theory is just the starting point; execution is the game-changer.
Open Communication: Maintain a transparent line of communication with your team; it fosters mutual growth.

A Season of Growth

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 15:47:15 -0600

My Tech Internship Journey at Bauer Automate

Hello Everyone!

This is Roya here! I'm thrilled to share my tech journey with you. My family and I are part of a larger community that emigrated from South-Central Asia to Canada. During this challenging period, I focused on mastering my English-speaking abilities to facilitate our transition while assisting other families as well. The experience taught me resilience and courage, valuable traits that will stay with me forever.

From New Beginnings to New Opportunities

As I balanced adapting to a new country, I understood the invaluable benefit of hands-on experience. Receiving an internship offer from Bauer Automate was a defining moment in my life that highlights the importance of hard work, adaptability and resilience.

Discovering My Path

This fall, I'll be entering Grade 11 at James Fowler High School in Calgary, Alberta, and joining their Robotics Team. As a visual learner, I'm energized by interactive experiences that transform abstract concepts into reality. My keen interests in math, social studies, and robotics have amplified my enthusiasm for tech and innovation.

Visual arts, particularly stop-motion animation, capture my imagination. The process of stitching visuals to weave a compelling narrative thrills me. Furthermore, I’m eager to deepen my understanding of coding, technology, and robotics, driven by the awe-inspiring potential they hold for the future.

My Internship Adventure

My time at Bauer Automate was an ambitious endeavour aimed at learning and hard skill development. The internship introduced me to the Microsoft Power Platform—a robust suite of low-code/no-code tools designed to solve business problems at speed.

I diligently prepared for the Microsoft PL-900: Power Platform Fundamentals Certificate and delved into digital marketing, crafting video scripts and editing content for an educational video series on the Power Platform. Stay tuned for the upcoming launch.

Transitioning from mobile-based to a desktop environment elevated my appreciation for video editing software. From video meme creation to educational content, my video editing journey has been extensive. I’m proud to say I've advanced beyond beginner status, particularly with the CapCut Video Editing Software.

Lessons From Challenges

Naturally, the internship presented its share of hurdles. Video editing demanded extreme attention to detail—a skill essential for crafting engaging and flawless content. Creativity and precision proved to be indispensable allies in my digital media journey.

Closing Thoughts

This internship has been an enriching journey of self-discovery, skill enhancement, and technological exploration. I've gained valuable insights that will undoubtedly influence my future career trajectory. Through highs and lows, I’ve recognized the true value of perseverance, creativity, and a mindset fixed on continuous learning!

Nuggets of Wisdom for Aspiring Interns – some tips for you...

Embrace being Overwhelmed: Initial stages in a "real-world" job can feel intense, but remember, you’re more than capable of conquering challenges.
Details Matter: Whether in video editing or any tech project, the devil is in the details. Minor aspects like text placement and color can dramatically influence the final output.
Build Connections: Every interaction is a networking opportunity, potentially leading to unexpected paths.
Foster a Learning Mindset: Consider your internship an extended classroom. Embrace hurdles and prioritize growth.
Ask tons of Questions: Never shy away from asking questions. Your supervisor and colleagues are here to support you in your career development. Curiosity is your ally in the process

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