November 2024

 

 

Name: Taniya Bhadauria

Major and College: Software Engineering at UMBC

Internship Title: Software Developer Intern

Internship Site: RootsID

 

 

 

 

1) Please tell us about your career goals.

I want to use my skills in software engineering, cloud technologies, and automation to build systems that are scalable, efficient, and secure, and my long-term goal is to become a software architect. Now, I am focused on learning more about software design, DevOps, containerization and cloud infrastructure so I can take on roles in system architecture and design.

2) Tell us about your internship (i.e. day-to-day responsibilities, special projects/clients and work culture).

At RootsID, I work as a software development intern with main focus on end-to-end testing and automation for digital identity software services. My daily responsibilities include creating test data, writing unit and integration tests, and automating UI testing using Playwright. I am also involved in client projects, where I conduct comprehensive end-to-end testing for their platform. The work culture at RootsID, although remote, is highly collaborative. We hold daily stand-ups, allowing for transparent communication and mutual support. The company places a strong emphasis on continuous learning and encouraging the team to stay updated on the latest technologies. This internship has been an invaluable opportunity to hone my technical skills while working in a dynamic, innovative environment.

3) Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?

I found the software development internship position at RootsID through Handshake. I came across the listing in April 2024. I submitted my application along with my resume through Handshake. Shortly after, I was contacted by the RootsID team for an interview, which allowed me to showcase my technical skills and relevant experience. The interview and technical round were straightforward, with a focus on my ability to contribute to testing and automation efforts. A few weeks later, I was offered the position, and I officially started my internship in the summer of 2024.

4) Which of the following resources did you use to find your current experience?

Handshake or other job boards

5) What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?

I like how the team puts a lot of focus on taking responsibility and solving problems. I’ve been given responsibilities that directly affect the client services and product since day one, especially with regard to the identity platform’s end-to-end testing. This level of responsibility has motivated me to improve my automation and scripting abilities. The collaborative work culture at RootsID is another highlight. Despite being a remote job, the daily stand-ups and open communication make it feel like a tight-knit team. I also enjoy the organization’s strong learning culture.

6) How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

At RootsID, I made an impact by creating and automating scripts that test the workflow of digital identity solutions. These scripts ensure the reliability of the identity services, both for our internal platform and client-facing solutions. Through comprehensive testing of the workflows, I was able to identify and address potential issues early in the development process, which reduced downtime and improved our software quality. One of my key achievements was automating what had previously been manual testing processes. Our team’s process became a lot easier thanks to this automation. It made feedback loops faster and helped us work faster.

7) What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience (i.e. Internship search, Resume or Interview tips)?

I would suggest starting your internship search early using sites like LinkedIn and Handshake and for each application, tailor your resume to highlight experiences that match what they’re looking for. Many tech internships, especially in software development, include coding interviews and to prepare, practice solving programming problems on LeetCode or similar sites and focus on data structures and algorithms. You should also brush up key concepts for the specific role. Before applying take some time to search each company and know their products and what they’re about. Make your cover letters personal and specific to show genuine interest.