As part of E-INFOSOL’s commitment to fostering new talent, Mekhi Avery recently completed a 6-week internship, where he was mentored by Chris D., Sr. Computer Scientist, and gained valuable hands-on experience in the field of database management and software development. We sat down with Mekhi to learn more about his journey, the challenges he faced, and the insights he gained during his time at E-INFOSOL.
Q: Can you describe the main project or task you worked on during your internship and the skills you developed?
Mekhi Avery: During my internship, I primarily worked on creating databases and extracting data from various sources like websites, text files, and data files. I learned how to import this data into the databases I created and extract it as needed. Through these projects, I developed several skills, including working with different databases such as Oracle, PGAdmin, and Jupyter Notebook. I also learned various coding techniques specific to each database platform and how to implement foreign keys to maintain database integrity.
Q: What challenges did you face during the internship, and how did you overcome them?
Mekhi Avery: One of the biggest challenges I faced was learning how to code for different databases and figuring out how to extract data from various files and import it into tools like Jupyter Notebook. Since this was all new to me, it felt like stepping into a completely different environment. However, I remembered some advice from Mr. Chris: when he didn’t know something, he would look it up. So, I did exactly that—I watched videos and followed tutorials on how to perform specific tasks like data extraction and creating tables for a database. When I couldn’t find the answers on my own, I wasn’t afraid to ask Mr. Chris for help, and he was always willing to assist me.
Q: How did working with your mentor, Chris D., impact your learning and overall experience during the internship?
Mekhi Avery: Working with Mr. Chris was an incredible experience. He was always very helpful and provided me with booklets containing sample questions to help me get started and understand databases better. Before diving into the projects, he asked me about my current knowledge to tailor his guidance to my needs. He also gave me daily Leetcode problems to help improve my programming skills. Whenever I had questions or needed assistance, he was always there to help. For some of the projects I worked on, he provided examples of how things should look, which was incredibly helpful in ensuring I was on the right track with my coding. Overall, working with Mr. Chris greatly enhanced my learning and made my internship experience truly amazing.
Q: What was the most rewarding aspect of your internship at E-INFOSOL?
Mekhi Avery: The most rewarding aspect of my internship was successfully completing a code and seeing it work as expected. Initially, I faced several challenges, such as missing input or forgetting certain steps in the code, which made it all the more satisfying when everything finally worked correctly. Hitting ‘Run’ and seeing the correct output felt like a significant accomplishment. Also, learning different ways to code for databases was rewarding because it was a new experience for me and quite fun.
Q: How has this internship influenced your future career goals and academic pursuits?
Mekhi Avery: This internship has greatly influenced my future career goals and academic pursuits. The experience provided practical exposure to databases and programming, further fueling my passion for data management and software development. The skills I developed, such as working with various databases and finding solutions to practical problems, have motivated me to explore further education and career prospects in these fields. Furthermore, the process of conquering obstacles and acquiring knowledge in cutting-edge technologies has significantly boosted my self-assurance in my capacity to thrive and evolve within the tech industry.
Q: What was your experience like presenting your final project to the team, and what feedback did you receive?
Mekhi Avery: Presenting my final project to the team was one of the most challenging things I did during my internship because I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure how people would react at first, but the day before, Mr. Chris helped me by going over what I should and shouldn’t do during the presentation. I used his advice as practice material and spent the whole day preparing. When the day came, I gave my presentation, and I felt like I did well overall. However, I did receive some feedback about a small mistake—I was so nervous that I forgot to explain what the code did at the beginning. Despite that, I was thankful for the experience and proud that I managed to present it.
Q: Do you have any advice for future interns at E-INFOSOL or students considering an internship in the tech industry?
Mekhi Avery: My advice for future interns at E-INFOSOL or anyone considering an internship in the tech industry is to embrace every learning opportunity and not be afraid to ask questions. It’s important to take on challenges and step out of your comfort zone because that’s where you grow the most. Also, be proactive in seeking guidance from your mentors and colleagues—they’re there to help you learn. Lastly, practice patience and persistence; some tasks might seem daunting at first, but with time and effort, you’ll see improvement and gain confidence in your skills.
Mekhi’s experience at E-INFOSOL not only helped him develop valuable technical skills but also instilled confidence in his ability to thrive in the tech industry. His journey highlights the importance of mentorship, persistence, and embracing new challenges—advice that will undoubtedly resonate with future interns and aspiring tech professionals.
