INTERN STORIES | Simeon Pitukolo internship with Add-Life Technologies
Simeon completed a Health Tech internship with Add-Life Technologies as part Australia Awards program
Hear about his internship experience.
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Video transcription
What brought you to pursue an internship in health technology?
What got me into this I feel is my interest in how technology has made our lives easier, and how we can integrate this technology into our daily lives, so that it will benefit us in a healthy and sustainable way. Also moving forward, I'm hoping that I'll be able to expand my experience across different industries, especially in engineering health and how I can use this knowledge and application to improve our quality of life.
Tell us about your internship experience
My internship was with a company (Add-Life Technologies) that conducts rehabilitation activities. So I work with this company on a project. The project is about using an Arduino, which is a microchip or a board that uses a form of coding. And when you do that, it will conduct an activity for you.
As part of the project, you have to push buttons connected to the Arduino and from there, it has a wifi module which can be connected to send signals and information into an online database. It is a real time database. I need to get all those electronic components, put them together and create a code that can enable you to read the activities and send the information online.
What was it like working at Add-Life Technologies?
I'd say I’m an introverted person, but my boss was an outspoken person and everyone that works in that place pretty much knew him. So he's the one who introduced me to everyone. It's quite a good place to work, it's a good working environment where everyone can just stay there and work with people and learn from each other.
What were your key takeaways from this experience?
For me, it's a really good experience. And the main thing I've learned from this internship is teamwork because I'm that person that doesn't really talk much. So while I'm doing my placement, I'm able to learn how I can improve my communication that is good and constructive not just through words, but also in a documented format. (this helps me) present what I've learned or what my findings are in a well formatted way, so that people that are not aware about what I'm doing will be able to understand.
Why is it beneficial to undertake an internship?
It's an advantage because where I come from, most undergrad students don't really have a chance to get an internship or any work experience before entering uni. While doing my studies, I did the internship. It's a really good experience because you get to learn how a real business or company works.
Any advice to individuals pursuing a similar path?
It's really a good experience and also a good way to start off with your career. Getting an internship doesn't only contribute to your survey, but it is where you started. (That’s) your future career. When you did your placement, that's when you started. You’ve (now) developed a working spirit, (you’ve learned the meaning of) teamwork, how to speak, and how you go through the industry.
It's just like a bridge. It creates a bridge where you work across (different sectors) and do whatever you want to do from here.