Internship Training
Tech
Learn the Expected Behaviors & Etiquette
Become a better team player and contributor to the organization.
10 minutes to complete
🗣 How to be an excellent communicator
1. Ask questions and for help
Asking questions and seeking help are crucial to the learning process. When asking questions, be specific, concise, and respectful, while also showing a willingness to learn and improve. Recognize that it's okay to ask for help, and to approach your manager or team members with a positive attitude and a willingness to collaborate!
2. Be open and honest
Share with your manager about your interests and be transparent about your goals and aspirations to ensure that your experience aligns with your personal and professional objectives. Don't be afraid to maximize your learning and growth opportunities!
Scenario: You've worked diligently to create a new feature in React JS, trying to figure out a bug for the past hour but still not getting anywhere.
What would you do?
A) Think to yourself that software development is not for you, that you're not good enough to do it. Stop debugging and wait for someone else to handle it.
B) Try the same debugging approach over and over again hoping for the right solution!
C) Seek help from a team member or your manager, walking them through your problem and approach so far and collaborating with them to figure out the solution.
🧑💻 How to work well independently
1. Take initiative
Be proactive by taking ownership of your work, diving right into the tasks, and improving your work as you go. Set mini-goals and deadlines for yourself to complete the task on time. If you foresee that you can't get things done on time, let your manager and team members know as soon as you realize!
2. Maintain focus
Create a quiet and comfortable workspace, turn off your phone/social media notifications or place your phone out of reach, and take breaks periodically to rest and recharge. Practice mindfulness or breathing techniques to reduce stress and increase mental clarity.
Scenario: You planned for this week to complete coding 2 new components. It's now Wednesday and you're still only halfway through the first component.
What would you do?
A) Put in extra hours and pull an all-nighter to complete the first component and start on the second component.
B) Update your manager on your progress, ask him for help, and work extra hard during work hours to complete the first component and start on the second component.
C) Feel disappointed but keep going with the same rate, hopefully you'll complete both by end of week.
🤗 Have fun to learn better!
1. Collaborate with others
Connect with other interns and team members to work on projects and tasks together, share knowledge, and brainstorm creative solutions. It's encouraged to think outside the box, be innovative, and share ideas! The HomeCook team is looking forward to learning from you as interns!
2. Keep a positive attitude
Embrace a positive mindset and be open to new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to learn and grow. Connect with your team by asking about themselves, scheduling 1:1 coffee chats, and participating in social/company events.
Scenario: You're on week 2 of the internship, in which you've dove right into your work but feel like you don't connect with your team members well
What would you do?
A) Reach out to each team member to set up a 1:1 30-minute coffee chat. During that, ask my team members about their backgrounds, what brought them to HomeCook, and how you can best help them in their work or collaborate.
B) Feel like no one is interesting enough to connect with and feel lazy to reach out and get to know them.
C) Feel alone and excluded that others seem close, getting more into your shell and focusing your energy into your tasks.
Keeping up with your schedule.
1. Setting your summer schedule
With 20 expected hours per week from June 19 to August 14, HomeCook would like your hours to be 9 AM to 1 PM from Monday to Friday. However, this is flexible depending on your needs.
You will also coordinate directly with Hassan about meeting in person at Gateway's McLean office at 6861 Elm St #3b, McLean, VA 22101.
2. Setting your fall schedule
With 5 expected hours per week from August 14 to December 18, you are able to freely set your hours due to your school commitment.
Please send Hassan (hassan@homecookapp.com) cc'ing MaiLinh (mailinh@careergateway.io) an email confirming your daily schedule for the summer and fall, as well as your date/time availability for meeting in person twice a month in McLean.
We know that a hybrid environment can be difficult, so remember:
Be enthusiastic
Be open-minded and passionate
Show up putting your best effort forward
Ask questions when you need help!