This summer marked a transformative phase in my professional journey. I had the opportunity to intern with CSA360 and work under the guidance of Tony Unfried. This was my first internship and job. Being unfamiliar with the environment and the tasks, I had no predefined expectations. This perhaps worked in my favor because every day unfolded a new learning experience.
CSA360 introduced me to a wide array of software tools. It wasn’t just about learning how these tools worked but understanding their importance in the grander scheme of things. I grasped the intricacies involved in running a business, from ideation to implementation. The small business ambiance of CSA360 proved to be an advantageous setting for me. In larger corporations, it’s easy to become a small cog in a big machine, but here, every individual’s role felt consequential. This atmosphere necessitated communication skills.
Recognizing this, I found myself improving this skill, becoming more coherent and clearer in instructions and guides. I think this was further improved by working with fellow intern, Cole Borden. Cole and I worked together on every task, finishing in a timely manner and as a result we both gained valuable experience in communication, teamwork, and working towards deadlines. One of the pivotal learnings was being introduced to the concepts of wireframes and workflows. This wasn’t just about sketching or charting out a plan. It was about visualizing an idea, structuring it, and then preparing it for its digital transformation into software. Complementing this was my introduction to ‘tickets.’ Far from being just a tool, tickets are the backbone of systematic task management in software development. They are essential in pinpointing problems, streamlining tasks, and presenting this data concisely to the development team. In reflection, my summer at CSA360 was an internship which helped me gain professional development and maturity. Guided by Tony Unfried and in collaboration with Cole Borden, I navigated the complexities of the business world, mastering both technical tools and soft skills. The experience equipped me with a holistic understanding of business processes and highlighted the significance of effective communication and teamwork. It was truly an indispensable chapter in my career journey.
