Brianna was a computer programming intern for DIPPR during Spring 2024.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
I worked as a software developer for the DIPPR Project. Our app is used by chemical companies around the world, such as NIST, DAO Chemical, Shell, and many more. I worked on improving the user interface so that critical information about process chemicals could be obtained more easily. I also pushed us from the alpha and into the beta testing phase of using our app here at BYU. This means our app will be used more and more.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
I am by no means an expert in computer programming nor web programming, but that is what I was asked to do. Many times this summer I would have no idea what words to use to even describe the issue I was facing. Sometimes, I would have a thought come to me of what to search for. Other times, I would ask a coworker and they would know what was happening. In all cases, I know the Lord was helping me to find the answers I sought as I put in my best effort. He multiplied my meager offerings.
What did you learn in your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I was not expecting to learn how to prepare professional looking slides and give a presentation to chemical engineers and chemists around the world.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Yes. I am more sure that I could take on a part-time programming job if I ever needed to in order to support my family.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Yes, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The chances for a chemical engineer to develop an app that is used all across the world are few and far between. You will also likely never have the opportunity to have such varied experience in different aspects of IT and coding work as you will have here.