The Life of an Intern
Adam Trujillo worked with Deep Web Technologies for only a few summer months this year as an intern, but is leaving to attend the University of New Mexico as a freshman this fall. We asked him what he thought of his job at Deep Web Technologies and his answer was so good, we wanted to share it. We wish Adam a tremendous career and success wherever he lands!
Before I started my internship at Deep Web, I had no idea what quality assurance (more commonly QA) was. I guessed it was one of those corporate phrases that sound impressive but have little substance. In that vein, perhaps the job entailed actualizing paradigms or some such. Sadly, the truth was nothing so glamorous.
QA turned out to be testing done systematically. My first day on the job, I was sat down in a room full of Deep Web engineers and told to go explore the Scitopia.org testbed and look for things wrong with it. I was later given a few pages of standards every Deep Web Technologies’ implementation should meet. This is where the systematic part comes in: I would use the product and make sure it met every one of those standards. That’s what QA at Deep Web Technologies is all about.
Usually intern work is the work no professional would touch with a ten-and-a-half foot pole. Why is QA relegated to that low level? Well, it’s simple work with few skills required, compared to, say, software engineering, which a degree is normally required for. All that’s required is basic computer skills and the kind of mindset that delights in making things break (which I have). In fact, as I recall, I didn’t even get much training, that’s how simple and easy QA work is. Of course, it could be that my mind just works that way…
Regardless of how easy the job is, interning at Deep Web Technologies turned out well. Even two months here is sure to look good on my resume. I’ve gotten experience with the tech industry. I’ve laid the foundations for a professional network. I’ve decided whether I’m interested in further pursuing QA positions later in life (I am – maybe even at Deep Web Technologies again). All things considered, this internship has been a real positive experience for me. Just peachy, in fact.
I’d recommend Deep Web Technologies to anybody looking for a tech internship, as they’ll probably get a similar experience. Well, actually, I’ll recommend it only if they have that QA kind of mind. Otherwise, the only negative part of working at Deep Web Technologies might well be actually working. And that kind of attitude… well, it certainly won’t enable you to meet your synergy benchmarks.
