Deimos’ SRE Internship Success Stories: Mentorship and Managers Insights

In the first part of our series, ‘Empowering Tech Futures: Inside Deimos’ SRE Internship Success Stories’, we shared the inspiring journeys and experiences of our interns. Now, we turn the spotlight to the broader impact of the programme, examining the mentorship, skill development, and invaluable insights from Deimos’ leaders who have been instrumental in shaping this transformative experience.

Mentorship and Skill Development:

The emphasis on high-quality mentorship is crucial for interns to receive guidance, feedback, and support as they navigate their projects and professional development — Kennedy Kinyanjui

Mentorship lies at the heart of the Deimos Internship Programme. Deimos SRE managers and engineers provided guidance, support, and industry insights, enabling the interns to hone critical skills like cloud infrastructure, automation, and continuous integration/deployment. As the interns engaged in various projects, they applied what they learnt to contribute to Deimos’ objectives while growing their capabilities.

The internship experience highlights the hands-on nature of the programme. For the interns, working on challenging yet rewarding projects improved their technical skills and soft skills like collaboration and communication, as shared in their success stories.

Internship Insights from the Director of SRE

Attracting, nurturing, and retaining top talent perfectly encapsulates how the internship aligns with Deimos values — David Roos

We also sought insights from our Director of SRE and managers to understand the programme’s broader impact and future vision.

Discussing the internship’s evolution, David Roos, Director of Site Reliability Engineering, noted:

‘In 2023, the programme underwent a comprehensive overhaul to address previous concerns, specifically related to our adopted technologies and their implementation. The redesign focused on swiftly enhancing and onboarding engineers into the Deimos ecosystem, emphasising industry standards and best practices. Although we’ve made significant strides in achieving our objectives, the next phase involves a thorough review of the program. This review aims to refine processes and methodologies, with a keen focus on incorporating feedback from both interns and mentors to further elevate the programme’s effectiveness.’

On the impact of partnering with She Code Africa, David commented: ‘SCA has demonstrated excellence in advancing its internal programme, cultivating top-tier talent. This achievement enables us to effectively onboard and enhance interns’ skills by incorporating more advanced techniques.’

David reflects on how the programme aligns with Deimos’ broader mission and values:

‘Attracting, nurturing, and retaining top talent perfectly encapsulates how the internship aligns with Deimos values. This programme facilitates collaboration with a diverse pool of engineers, providing us with the opportunity to guide them in skill development. The goal is to empower these individuals to showcase their talents and ultimately secure permanent positions in a technology-driven company.’

Manager Insights:

Academic Achievements and Manager Insights from Adrian Rai

Adrian Rai, Site Reliability Engineering Manager, shared his perspective on the quality of the candidates from She Code Africa and the notable academic achievements of our interns.

‘This year, we were privileged to have five interns from SCA. Their enthusiasm to learn and readiness to tackle challenges has been incredibly refreshing. Their high performance reflects their individual capabilities and the effectiveness of the She Code Africa recruitment and training processes led by Ada and her team.’

Highlighting the interns’ academic success, Adrian provided an overview of their impressive achievements in key SRE areas:

• SRE Fundamentals: The class average stood at 87%, indicating a strong grasp of the fundamental concepts essential to SRE.
• Containerisation: The interns achieved a remarkable class average of 97%, showcasing their adeptness in this critical area of SRE.
• CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment): The interns excelled with a class average of 92%, reflecting their proficiency in these vital practices.
• Observability: An 88% class average was recorded, demonstrating a solid understanding of this crucial aspect of system monitoring and management.

‘It has been nothing short of amazing to witness their dedication, improvements and growth,’ Adrian commented. ‘We are also proud to announce that an intern have been selected and hired by Deimos due to her high performance on the internship.’

Internship Insights from Kennedy Kinyanjui

Kennedy Kinyanjui, Site Reliability Engineering Manager, provided his perspective on what distinguishes the Deimos internship experience from other tech internships:

• High-Quality Mentorship: The company’s emphasis on providing interns with guidance, feedback, and support is crucial for the interns’ professional development.
• Hands-On Project Nature: Engaging in hands-on projects allows interns to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, fostering a deeper understanding and skill development.
• Diverse Learning Opportunities: The presence of modules covering various topics suggests a well-rounded learning experience, providing interns with exposure to different aspects of the tech industry.
• Positive Company Culture: Deimos’ commitment to creating a supportive environment is evident through providing resources like MacBook Pros and stipends to interns. This can contribute to a sense of value and motivation among interns.
• Meaningful Contribution: Allowing interns to contribute significantly to the organisation is essential for their professional growth and understanding of the real-world impact of their work.

Discussing the impact of the internship programme on participants, Kennedy identified several key areas:

• Skill Development: The hands-on nature of the projects and the diverse learning opportunities presented through modules contribute to the interns’ skill development. This includes technical skills related to their field of study and soft skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
• Professional Growth: The high-quality mentorship and opportunity to contribute meaningfully have facilitated significant professional growth among interns. Exposure to real-world projects and challenges helps them better understand their chosen field and industry.
• Networking Opportunities: Engaging with mentors and contributing to the organisation allows interns to build valuable professional connections. Networking during the internship can open doors to future career opportunities and collaborations.
• Increased Confidence: Completing hands-on projects and making meaningful contributions can boost interns’ confidence in their abilities. This increased confidence can positively impact their approach to future challenges and career endeavours.
• Understanding Real-World Impact: Interns have gained a deeper understanding of how their work impacts the real world, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.

Finally, Kennedy shared his thoughts on what makes an intern an ideal candidate for a full-time role at Deimos:

• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrating a solid understanding of the technical skills relevant to the job is crucial. This includes proficiency in the tech radar and any other technical requirements specific to the role.
• Proactive Learning: The ability and willingness to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies or methodologies. Continuous learning is essential in the tech industry.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Strong problem-solving abilities. Interns who have successfully tackled problems during their internship demonstrate their capability in this area.
• Collaboration, Teamwork, and Communication: Effective collaboration and communication skills, both verbal and written. The ability to convey technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders is important.
• Initiative, Ownership, and Adaptability: Demonstrating initiative, a sense of ownership of tasks, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.
• Alignment with Company Values: Understanding and embodying the company’s mission and values. Interns who demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for the company’s mission and values are more likely to integrate well into the team.
• Positive Attitude and Work Ethic: Demonstrating a positive attitude, enthusiasm for work, and a strong work ethic

Conclusion:

As we celebrate the successful graduation of our interns, their stories and reflections reinforce Deimos’ commitment to nurturing the next generation of tech talent. The programme’s success, as seen through the achievements of Dooshima Gbamwuan, Favour Daniel, Mary Mbaoma, Kenechukwu Ojiteli, and Siphokazi Dolo, along with the insights from our leadership, underscores our dedication to empowering emerging professionals in the tech industry.