Navigating My Internship: Kelly Tan

Stepping into Guidewire Basecamp

Hi, I'm Kelly. I am a Software Engineer Intern in KL (Kuala Lumpur), and I've been here four months.

I joined Guidewire to complete my summer internship as part of my coursework. I had seen that Guidewire's reviews and their reputation in the field of software development were quite good, and I found the interviewers were very friendly. Both of these things were motivators for me to apply for my internship here.

My expectations for this internship were to learn from professionals, work on real-world projects, and apply the skills I had acquired during my studies. I also hoped to gain insights into the software development process, enhance my problem-solving abilities, and contribute meaningfully to the team's goals.

Life Inside Guidewire Basecamp

So far, I've enjoyed the stimulating working environment, and incredible colleagues who inspire and support me every day. The words that come to mind when I think of Guidewire's culture would be; collaborative, supportive, friendly, and work-life balance.

The opportunity to learn new technologies and to apply that knowledge in problem-solving has been really exciting. Additionally, working collaboratively with my talented team and witnessing the outcome of our efforts really impressed me.

The Daily Adventure

• 9:00 a.m. Breakfast and review what I have done the previous day
• 9:30 a.m . Daily standup meeting
• 9:45 a.m. Planning my workload and setting daily goals to achieve
• 10:15 a.m. Meeting and deep-focus coding
• 12 p.m. Lunch
• 1 p.m. Code review and a short break
• 3 p.m. Meeting or deep-focus coding, sometimes a team discussion
• 5:50 p.m. EOD [end of day]

Expanding My Skillset

During my internship, I've significantly improved my technical skills, particularly in programming languages like Java and Gosu. I have learned how to write clean and efficient code, work with complex software architectures, apply best practices in software development, and write comprehensive test cases to ensure software quality.

What I've Enjoyed About Guidewire

Guidewire has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and expand my skill set all throughout my internship. I've gained experience in scrum methodologies, object-oriented programming, testing, debugging, and git version control, which has made me a more versatile and effective team member.

My team provided guidance, mentorship, and opportunities for hands-on learning throughout the internship program. It's only a four month internship, but I have experienced multiple different aspects of software engineering and gained insights into real-world projects. This has greatly enriched my learning experience.

Working at Guidewire has also exposed me to cross-functional collaboration. I've had the chance to collaborate with colleagues from various countries and roles. These opportunities have broadened my perspective and enhanced my teamwork and communication skills.

Community and Connection

I got the chance to attend Guidewire Malaysia's 5th anniversary event during the second month of my internship. It allowed me to connect with colleagues of various departments, celebrate this office's milestones, and enjoy a day filled with games and activities. It was a great way to immerse myself into the company culture.

I realized that it's essential to be able to explain complex technical concepts in simple, non-technical terms when interacting with colleagues who may not have a technical background. This taught me the importance of effective communication. I've also gained insights into potential career paths within the company while networking with colleagues of different departments.

Staying Clever: A Final Note of Advice

My advice would be don't hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance. Everyone here is friendly and willing to help. It's the best way to learn and grow. Also, seek feedback for improvements. Don't forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Success is reaching something that seems to be impossible for you at first, but then soon becomes achievable through hard work.

Ready to embark on your next adventure? Check out open roles for students and graduates , or have a glance at what roles we have on offer in our Kuala Lumpur office .