M: Kamil, you’re already in your final week of the internship. What were your expectations, and how did the actual experience compare? Could you tell us more about how you’ve adapted here?

K: I wanted to see what working in the profession is like. The atmosphere here is very pleasant, and I don’t feel the typical corporate stress. In fact, it’s been quite the opposite. I found myself gaining not just technical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the friendly atmosphere. 

M: I must agree with you. One of the goals when founding the company was to create a friendly and creative work environment that fosters a healthy work-life balance.

K: Yes, I received a lot of support from my colleagues. There were moments when I doubted if this was the right fit for me, but I eventually realized that I could find my place here. The more I learned about FPGA, the more I enjoyed it.

M: Can you pinpoint any specific tasks you’ve worked on during the past three weeks that you found particularly enjoyable?

K: I think working with the electronic evaluation board was the most interesting. It was engaging to have a physical starter kit board in hand and experiment with it. Currently, coding is what I want to pursue professionally, so it is the most satisfying part. 

M: Do you see any skills that you’ve acquired here that will be beneficial in your future career?

K: Definitely low-level programming.

E: Also, the opportunity to work in an agile team using scrum methodologies is valuable. Gaining experience in applying these methodologies will be advantageous in the future.

M: Can you share what has surprised you the most during this internship?

Ewelina: I admit I was quite nervous before starting the internship because it’s a specialized company, and I had only basic skills. However, the company considered that and adjusted the internship program accordingly. The longer I work here, the more confident I feel. It’s not as intimidating anymore.

M: Do you believe your majors adequately prepared you for this internship?

E: In my opinion, my major doesn’t fully prepare me for this internship. Our studies cover general basics, but to excel in this field, additional effort and learning are necessary.

K: My major is more closely related to this field. I believe I was well-prepared for this internship. My studies encompass both programming and digital circuits, so I had a theoretical and practical foundation. Now, I can further develop these skills in practice.

M: Are programmable digital circuits something that genuinely interests you after these experiences, or do you view it more as an adventure that will soon come to an end?

K: For me, it’s a very interesting experience. I don’t rule out the possibility of working in this field in the future. I initially chose computer science, focusing on high-level programming, but exploring what we do here has become one of my potential career paths.

E: When I feel more confident after completing the internship, it will be easier to determine whether I want to pursue a career in this industry. Right now, I’m still in the early stages of my learning journey.

M: Do you have any advice for interns who will join our program in 2024?

E: They shouldn’t stress too much. At Silesia Devices, there’s an atmosphere of cooperation and assistance, so they’ll surely manage. However, it would be helpful for future interns to have some basic programming knowledge before they come here.

K: I agree with Ewelina. Without a foundational background, it would be challenging to do meaningful work here. Basic programming and electronics knowledge are definitely important.

M: Thank you, Kamil and Ewelina, for sharing your experiences with us.