We meet with Harshmin Kaur, 2019 Summer of Tech alumni who shares with us their internship experience and reflects on what they learned and how it influenced their career journey. 

 

When and where did you intern? What was your role?

I interned in 2019-2020 at the Ministry of Health. I was there just before COVID hit. I didn’t have an official title but was part of the Emerging Health Team. The closest thing to what I did would be a junior BA role. 

 

 What was a highlight of your internship?

There were two main things:

1. The first is specific to working within the Ministry of Health. Learning how a government agency functions and seeing the other side of healthcare in New Zealand was fascinating. 

2. Engaging with stakeholders. I’m naturally quite social and find it easy to talk to people, so this aspect of the role was very enjoyable for me. It was also a great team to work in.

 

What was the no.1 thing that you learnt from your internship?

You’re really there to learn and apply your knowledge. Initially, I felt the pressure to be great, but then I realised that I’m only at the beginning of my career. It’s ok to make mistakes and be open to guidance. Your manager is there to support you. All the nervousness I felt was ok, and I had to learn to be mature and confident in how I communicated. 

How did having an internship influence your career journey?

It gave me an idea about what I wanted to do. I spent a lot of time studying, and a few months over summer is a nice way to try something new. I really enjoyed working in the public sector. I was lucky enough to make connections during my internship that helped me secure a grad role. Those connections you make during your internship are so important and can be game-changing. 

What was the transition from study to work like for you?

I found the transition from high school to university a jump, and the jump from university to working was an even bigger jump! It was liberating to take control of my own time. Switching to doing a 9-5 took some getting used to, and I found that scheduling time became even more important. 

What role did Summer of Tech play in where you are today?

Bootcamps were so helpful in learning how to put myself forward, and how to talk about my skills. Things that you research and learn online are often not tailored to tech and Summer of Tech is! It really helped me fill the gap and made me feel more confident. 

What do you know now, that you wish you knew during your internship?

I think the main thing was feeling out of place and unsure how to contribute - this isn’t unique to your internship! You need to have confidence and a supportive manager. The support I had during my internship is exactly what I needed. 

What is your top tip for a student interviewing for an internship?

Know who you are and what you want. University gives you some ideas about the industry but doesn’t give you it all. Do your research and know who you are as a person. 

What advice would you give a student entering the workforce?

A lot of insecurities, or things you are unsure of, aren’t noticed by other people. Having a supportive manager and team helps to foster confidence and them being safe and welcoming helps you to be your true self. You’ll often be the youngest in your team so try and find people who are at a similar stage to you. But also be open and friendly with everyone. It’s great being in an environment with different types of people. Just because you’re the youngest doesn’t mean you should be awkward and quiet. 

What’s next for you?

I’ve worked in different public sector agencies and am currently working as a Test Analyst at the Department of Internal Affairs. Looking back, Summer of Tech helped line things up for me. I gained so much and that’s impacted where I have ended up. 

LinkedIn: harshminkaur