Nate was an intern for Campfire during Spring 2024.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
During my internship at Campfire, I primarily worked as a software engineer focusing on both frontend and backend development. My work involved using React for building user interfaces and Ruby on Rails for backend functionalities. One significant project I contributed to was enhancing our video platform's "reflect" activity, which is designed to facilitate meaningful conversations within distributed workforces. By integrating new features and improving the overall user experience, our team was able to increase user engagement and satisfaction. The positive feedback from users highlighted the effectiveness of our enhancements. Additionally, working closely with a small team allowed me to gain comprehensive experience in various aspects of the development process, from brainstorming and decision-making to coding and troubleshooting. This experience has significantly improved my technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of collaborative development in a fast-paced environment.
What did you learn in your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
One of the most surprising lessons was the importance of effective communication and collaboration in a small team. With just two engineers, it became evident that clear and open communication is crucial to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that projects progress smoothly. I also learned a great deal about project management and the decision-making processes. Being involved in high-level discussions and strategic planning sessions provided insights into how products are conceptualized, developed, and improved. Additionally, I was not expecting to gain such an in-depth understanding of user experience design. Working on the "reflect" activity and seeing how small changes can significantly impact user satisfaction opened my eyes to the importance of UX in software development.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
The experiences and lessons from my internship have influenced my future plans in several ways. Initially, I was focused primarily on developing my technical skills and pursuing a purely technical role. However, the internship has broadened my perspective, and I am now more interested in roles that combine technical expertise with project management and strategic planning. The exposure to user experience design has also sparked an interest in exploring this field further. Moreover, the challenges of working in a small team and the satisfaction of seeing the tangible impact of our work have reinforced my desire to work in environments where I can take on diverse responsibilities and see the direct results of my efforts.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
One of the most inspiring aspects of my internship at Campfire was witnessing the tangible impact of our work on real users. Seeing how our video platform helped foster connections and meaningful conversations among distributed teams was profoundly motivating. For example, after releasing enhancements to the "reflect" activity, we received feedback from users who expressed how the improved features made their virtual meetings more engaging and effective. This reinforced the importance of our mission and gave me a sense of pride and purpose in my contributions.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
I would highly recommend this internship to other students for several reasons. First, the hands-on experience and the opportunity to work on real-world projects are invaluable for developing technical skills and gaining practical knowledge. Second, the small team size means that interns can take on significant responsibilities and be involved in various aspects of the development process, which is both challenging and rewarding. Third, the supportive and collaborative environment at Campfire provides excellent mentorship and fosters professional growth. Finally, the opportunity to see the direct impact of your work on users is incredibly motivating and provides a sense of accomplishment. Overall, this internship offers a comprehensive learning experience that is both professionally and personally enriching.
