From the Harbour to the High Seas
Reflections of a 7-Month Young GovTech Cyber Security Group Intern
Sampan Leaves the Harbor
In my younger and more vulnerable years I chanced upon a quote by John Dewey, and since defined my worldview with regards to new experiences:
“We do not learn from experience. We learn from reflecting on experience.”
I believe this quote encapsulates the value proposition of internships. It is a stage to gain new experiences, and thereafter a chance to reflect and learn.
So there I was, 3rd year in my SIT ICT (Software Engineering) degree, about to choose where to embark on a year-long internship. Before me, a choice. Familiar software engineering, or utterly-new-to-me cybersecurity dev? (?!)
Sanity said: stay on the SLE. Heart said: sharp right over chevrons to Johor.
A saner man might have made the sensible choice. And so it came to pass, that for my third year SIT Software Engineering work attachment, I did a standing-broadjump from software engineering into cybersecurity dev.
Sampan Sails the High Seas
On my first day at GovTech, I felt like an imposter, expecting to be exposed. But that never happened. I was given work that, while familiar to software engineering, gradually eased me to new concepts like cloud and security.
My work encouraged my desire to venture beyond my comfort zone, and I was rewarded for seeking advice from senior developers. As I continued to dabble in software, cybersecurity and cloud, I learnt something new daily.
Seven months on, I am more confident of myself in my team. I still don’t know everything (it’s impossible), but constantly learning, relearning, and unlearning taught me how to look with the can-do mindset of a busy dev.
Reflecting on my pleasant experiences here, I realise it is not a coincidence that interns — even out of depth ones like me — can easily adapt and thrive. GovTech has cultivated 3 qualities that create a nurturing place for interns:
- interns are treated like full timers :: with great power comes …
- interns have real guidance :: bridge from theoretical to practical
- interns enjoy inclusive and open team culture :: welcome since day one
1. Interns are Treated Like Full Timers :: With Great Power Comes …
It was at the intern engagement welcome speech where I heard the phrase:
“At GovTech, we treat each intern like a full-timer”
‘Ah shoot’ was my first thought; it’s a declaration: ‘interns will do a full time workload: overtime, long hours, and all that’ I had the impression that I’ll become intern-sugarcane — squeezed by roller-pressers once, folded, again.
But the mythical ‘full-timer workload’ never came for this intern. It did not come even for full-timers around me. I felt relieved, albeit a bit confused. Much later, I realised why interns doing full timer work won’t happen here:
- Full timers work in one specialisation, and do so across many projects.
- Interns work on one (main) project, and do so across many specialisations.
So interns aren’t really a mini-me version of full-timers; they are a distinct species with unique roles to contribute to the team. So why does GovTech treat interns like full-timer GovTechies? I’d surmise this actually means:
- Projects given to interns are as meaningful as the ones to full timers.
- Interns have the same ownership over their projects as full timers do.
So the common factor between interns and full-timers can be rephrased:
“At GovTech, we give interns the same onus & reins over projects as full-timers”
Interns are trusted with purposeful, meaningful work that solves real world problems. For example, our interns have built apps that prevent scams by scanning viruses in downloads, and will see real deployment in the field.
Interns do take full ownership over their projects. I am given autonomy for a project with necessary guidance, and I become accountable to my team. Having the space to pace, try, and fail was essential in picking up the ropes.
And most importantly, the great expectations GovTech has of interns never became a justification for exploitation. This balance is calibrated well here. You can be responsible for meaningful work and enjoy work-life balances.
2. Interns Have Real Guidance :: Bridge From Theoretical to Practical
"Teachers open the door but you must walk through it yourself" — Chinese Saying
GovTech interns have access to real guidance from the full time developers, who are experienced at what they do and most happy to help. This is a trait often taken for granted until you’ve done a stint at a workplace without any.
Real guidance, versus superficial or non-existent guidance, is a hallmark of firms who trust their interns with onus over meaningful work. It is simply due to one reason: succeeding at meaningful work needs real experience.
Guidance in GovTech is much like in SIT; it is a call to action in two acts: 1) I can lead you on the right path (prevents blind tries that risk total failure) but 2) you have to walk yourself (take effort to try, small fail, learn lessons).
For instance, my first assignment was a project that had a broad set of requirements. Putting aside his work, my senior developer took pains to plan best strategies, while leaving room for me to experiment and consult.
Real guidance in an internship is, in general, vital for university students. This is because university degrees, despite their specialisations, offer only touch-and-go syllabus that leans to the theoretical, and has stale practices.
Real guidance therefore acts as the bridge between the theoretical and the practical. Concepts that were learnt can be unlearnt, then relearnt for the better. It is from GovTech internships I gained true confidence in my craft.
3. Interns Enjoy Inclusive & Open Culture :: Welcome Since Day One
“Employees don’t Leave Companies, They Leave Managers” — Popular Saying
Team culture remains the most critical factor when I decide where to work. It is a lynchpin that binds work, learning, and socialisation together as one.
Toxic culture destroys a workplace: it turns meaningful work into drudgery, learning halts from disillusionment and socialisation freezes from distrust.
In GovTech, I am relieved to find a culture that is inclusive and open. One product of this culture is doing-away of excessively traditional hierarchies.
For example, at both GovTech Cyber Security Group (CSG) and Government Digital Services (GDS) where I interned, the senior developer and product lead sits and works alongside the developers, without ever putting on airs. Interns are welcomed on day one into the fold despite being newcomers.
Another product of this inclusive and open culture is the mutual trust that colleagues have with one another. For example, at work if a colleague has urgent matters, they simply inform the team through the team’s group chat.
We also have a variety of lunchtime conversations. Our team members feel comfortable to contribute their personal outlooks and beliefs in dialogues. An osmosis of frank opinionated perspectives has expanded my worldview.
Some canals in Japan are so clear even koi — the most sensitive of fish — can thrive. This is not magic, but a testament to the cleanliness of the estates. I think GovTech has cultivated a culture where these fragile things do thrive.
Sampan to Sailboat
As I’m writing, it is my fellow intern’s last day. He’s been a comrade tackling this challenging yet fulfilling project, and we’ve turned out thick as thieves. No farewells are needed: as we go separate life paths, we’ll still be in touch.
I always carried the misconception that life of making friends ends as soon as work begins. But I know now it depends on the work and environment. I think GovTech is unique. I can be myself, grow, and make lasting friends.
In seven months, I’ve learnt far more and unexpected things. I’ve realised what it means to take ownership over my work. I’ve learnt how to learn, how to listen to understand, and speak to be understood. A little about living life.
It is these big lessons that the great workplaces can teach you. It is these big lessons that define who you will be. It is these big lessons that truly matter. GovTech has been a good mentor: a lot that is good in me came from here.
PSA: If you’re interested in GovTech’s internship domains, application and selection processes, and read more intern sharing, we have a site for you!
In any case, I hope you enjoyed this bit of sharing. Thank you very much for your time. To interns, hope to see you out there: someday, somewhere :)
Always a GovTechie.
