Alumni Spotlight: Colton Marty talks life as an intern at Costco IT
Ever wondered what it’s like to intern at Costco IT? Just ask Colton Marty. Colton is wrapping up his bachelor’s degree in Software Development at Green River College, and currently works as a Quality Assurance Intern with Costco IT’s Vendor and Item Management Team. In the Q and A below, he talks about his role and the culture at Costco, and offers words for wisdom for college students who are looking to break into tech.
First off, what led you to Green River’s Software Development program?
COLTON: For nearly a decade I was working in various customer service roles, unsure of what I wanted to do for a career. After a few life-altering events, I knew it was time to pursue something that I was passionate about, which was tech. So, I spoke with a friend who was in Green River’s Software Development program at the time and they had nothing but great things to say about it. As someone who didn’t want to take on student debt and wanted a quality education, it was a perfect fit.
What is your job title at Costco? And can you briefly describe your role?
COLTON: I’m currently working as a Quality Assurance Intern for the Merchandise team at Costco IT. My role consists of writing, executing, and automating test cases as well as working towards implementing a CI/CD pipeline for regression testing.
What is the culture like at Costco?
COLTON: The culture at Costco has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in the workplace. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive. They truly take care of their employees and want to help you grow.
What career advice do you have for college students looking to break into tech?
COLTON: If I had one piece of advice to give to students pursuing a career in tech, it would be to not let failure discourage you. The application and interview process in tech can be brutal for students but each misstep/failure is a learning opportunity. Be persistent and try to keep a growth mindset along your journey.
Learn more about Green River College’s Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Software Development by visiting www.greenriver.edu/software.
