How We Enable Our Interns to Make an Impact

Toni Akinwumi

Making an Impact When interns join Shopify for their internship term, they work on projects that will impact our merchants, partners, and even their fellow developers. Some of these projects will alleviate a merchant's pain points, like the ability to sell their products on different channels, or simplify a complicated process for our developers. We want interns to leave knowing they worked on real projects with real impact.

Shopify

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Toni Akinwumi

•6 min read•beginner•

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•View Original

ElasticsearchGraphQLJavaRailsRubySwift

Overview

The article discusses how Shopify empowers its interns to work on impactful projects that benefit merchants and developers. It highlights the importance of autonomy, mentorship, new challenges, and cross-collaboration in creating a meaningful internship experience.

What You'll Learn

1

How to manage technical debt while working on projects

2

Why mentorship is crucial for intern development

3

How to effectively collaborate across teams in a tech environment

Key Questions Answered

What types of projects do Shopify interns work on?

Shopify interns work on projects that directly impact merchants and developers, such as launching new sales channels or simplifying processes. For example, an intern contributed to the launch of the Amazon Channel, allowing U.S. merchants to sell products on Amazon.

How does Shopify support intern autonomy?

Interns at Shopify are given autonomy similar to full-time employees, allowing them to tackle unfamiliar projects. This approach encourages them to grow by solving open-ended problems and collaborating with team members to find effective solutions.

What role does mentorship play in the intern experience at Shopify?

Mentorship is a key component of the intern experience at Shopify. Each intern is paired with a mentor who provides guidance, helps with problem-solving, and encourages critical thinking, enabling interns to develop their skills effectively.

What opportunities do returning interns have at Shopify?

Returning interns at Shopify have the option to switch teams or roles, allowing them to explore new challenges and work with different people. This flexibility helps them gain diverse experiences and develop their skills further.

Technologies & Tools

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Backend

Elasticsearch

Used by interns for data backfilling processes.

Backend

Ruby On Rails

Utilized by interns for developing features and handling data.

Backend

Graphql

Employed for generating models for mobile clients.

Key Actionable Insights

1
Encourage interns to take ownership of their projects by providing them with autonomy.
Allowing interns to manage their own tasks fosters a sense of responsibility and helps them develop problem-solving skills, which are crucial for their growth as developers.

2
Implement regular mentorship sessions to enhance intern learning.
Consistent mentorship helps interns navigate challenges and encourages them to seek solutions independently, which is vital for their professional development.

3
Facilitate cross-team collaboration to enrich the intern experience.
By promoting interaction between different teams, interns can gain insights into various aspects of the business, enhancing their understanding and adaptability in a tech environment.

Common Pitfalls

1

Interns may struggle with unfamiliar technologies and processes.

This can lead to frustration and hinder their learning. To avoid this, it's important to provide adequate resources and mentorship to help them navigate these challenges.