By: Angelika Bouley
When I accepted my internship offer with Fidelity, I did not know what to expect. Will I be fetching coffee all summer long for my managers? Will I be staring at code and spreadsheets all day? Or will this be an opportunity of a lifetime (as the saying goes)?
I am a Dean’s Scholar at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences at Northeastern University studying Computer Science and Business Administration in a combined major. As a first-generation college student and a rising sophomore, finding a summer internship was a challenge, so I was grateful for the opportunity to be an intern at Fidelity.
When I met my manager two weeks before I started as a Full-Stack Engineering Intern in the Enterprise Cloud Computing (ECC) business unit, I was pleasantly surprised by his welcoming nature and willingness to answer my pressing questions. Instantly I knew that Fidelity was a place where I could thrive in a collaborative environment.
Over the course of the summer, I worked in the Merrimack, NH office on a Cloud forecasting application for the ECC FinOps team. My partner and I were tasked with researching and developing a solution using Python and Bash commands. We reviewed the Cloud cost data from an industry leading financial cost reporting system and learned how to create reports to gather the data we needed. Also, we became familiar with the process of creating and building a model using Machine Learning, and we determined that we would use the Cloud Service Providers Machine Learning platform to move forward with our project. It was a steep learning curve at first, as neither my partner nor I had any prior experience with any CSP tools. The technical skills we learned were invaluable: creating an IAM role, data storage, building images. We were able to contribute to Fidelity’s most pressing business needs by creating an application to provide more accurate Cloud cost predictions, which means more cost savings for product managers.
After many daily sync meetings with lead developers, we both gained an understanding of how a corporate environment functions. We built a network of professionals around us and shared our experiences with other interns. Most importantly, we learned how to face and tackle new and unexpected challenges, and how to utilize Fidelity’s resources to succeed.
Over the ten weeks, I have had the chance to grow my professional and personal network, develop invaluable technical skills, visit the firm’s Boston office for national intern day, and learn valuable lessons in a corporate setting with a great support system around me. I know that I now belong to a collaborative community where my passion, perseverance, and intellectual curiosity are valued. I have formed many lasting relationships and learned leadership skills through Fidelity’s Young Professional Network mentorship program. This rewarding experience reassured my passion for computer science and kindled a new interest in Cloud computing. My dream is to lead a team of IT professionals while mentoring young women interested in computer science. I cannot wait to see where my Fidelity experience will take me in the future.
I will leave you with some advice if you are considering an internship at Fidelity or have already accepted your offer. Always show your passion in the work you are doing and your interest in learning more. Be open to feedback from your managers and mentors; make sure to ask questions which will provide you with valuable resources. Take advantage of the opportunity to connect with your peers in the office; you never know who you will meet and make lasting connections with! Always remember that everyone will have a unique experience, tailored to your own interests and goals. Put aside your expectations and preconceived notions (including those about internships) and focus on what is important to you!
