Overview
The article introduces the 2020 Safety Engineering interns at Uber, highlighting their experiences during a unique summer internship affected by COVID-19. It emphasizes the team's commitment to safety and the innovative projects interns undertook, including a hackathon that resulted in new safety features.
What You'll Learn
1
How to collaborate effectively in a remote team environment
2
Why safety features are critical in ride-sharing applications
3
How to pitch and develop new safety features in a hackathon setting
Key Questions Answered
What was the experience of interns during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Interns faced challenges due to remote work but adapted by fostering collaboration through weekly Zoom meetings and themed backgrounds. They missed casual interactions but created a vibrant intern community, showcasing resilience and teamwork.
What innovative projects did the interns work on?
Interns worked on eight different products over 12 weeks, including a hackathon where they developed new safety features, demonstrating their ability to innovate under challenging circumstances.
How did the interns contribute to Uber's safety initiatives?
Interns contributed by developing prototypes for safety features, such as enhancing Uber’s emergency assistance capabilities, showcasing their commitment to improving user safety on the platform.
Key Statistics & Figures
Number of interns
distributed across six cities
Interns were spread across three time zones, highlighting the remote nature of the internship.
Duration of internship
12 weeks
Interns worked on various safety-related projects during this period.
Number of products worked on
eight different products
Interns contributed to multiple initiatives aimed at enhancing safety.
Key Actionable Insights
1Interns should leverage remote collaboration tools to maintain team cohesion and productivity.In the absence of in-person interactions, using tools like Zoom for regular check-ins can help build relationships and keep projects on track.
2Participating in hackathons can enhance problem-solving skills and foster innovation.Hackathons provide a structured environment for rapid development and creativity, allowing interns to apply their skills in real-world scenarios.
3Understanding user safety in technology is crucial for product development.Interns learned the importance of safety features in ride-sharing, which can inform future projects and career paths in tech.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to engage with team members in a remote setting can lead to isolation and decreased productivity.
Without proactive communication and collaboration, interns may miss out on valuable insights and support from peers.