My Summer Internship in Chicago

2 years ago, I was sitting in my Data Structures course and we had a visitor. I do not remember his name and I wish I would’ve written down his information so I can reach out to him today and thank him. He was a recent graduate from my university. He had just returned from an internship with Palantir in New York, accepted a full time job with them and came to tell us all about it. What caught my eye the most was the pictures he shared, the views he had, his experience and his life in New York! It looked like a dream. He mentioned that the company took care of his cost of living and aside from that paid him very, very well. He was getting paid to live his best life in New York as an engineer. I remember this day vividly because that was the day I decided I too would one day be living my best life as an engineer.

After months of applying and countless rejections, in April 2019, I received an offer for my very first software engineering internship in downtown Chicago. When I got the call, it sounded too good to be true. I couldn’t believe it. Was it finally my turn to experience the life of an engineer?

I had never lived away from home but the idea of moving 1,500 miles away and proving to myself that I could do it, excited me! So, I packed my bags and got on a plane to Chicago. I was going to intern for Allstate Insurance at the Merchandise Mart. The Merchandise Mart is a beautiful building located in the “heart of Chicago.” I was staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Magnificent Mile and it was all covered by Allstate. They really made sure I was taken care of!

I didn’t know what my new job would be like. All I remember was that I wasn’t worried or nervous, I was too caught up in the moment. I wanted to meet engineers and learn everything they did. I wanted to know what the real world was like. Before my first day, my older brother gave me advice that I carried with me throughout my internship. He reminded me that I was there to learn, to not be afraid to ask questions and to be honest if I did not know something. The most important thing was to never stop asking.

I arrived on my very first day in dress pants and a button up. When my manager arrived wearing a cap, I realized I was overdressed. The office was the most comfortable, open space area and was nothing like I imagined. They had couches, hammocks, snack rooms, phone rooms, meeting rooms and even game rooms! I was so excited to be there. I already had the idea that engineers lived a great life outside of work but seeing this office only confirmed that their life at work is just as great!

My team practiced pair programming. Every day, I was paired with a different engineer which was the best way to introduce me to “real world coding.” In pair programming, there’s a “driver” and a “passenger.” The driver writes the code and the passenger reviews and observes. At first, I was the passenger asking as many questions as possible. I carried a notebook around with me, which I was never ashamed about. I was an intern and like my brother said, I was there to take everything in. I would ask a question and make sure to write down the answer. Even though I wouldn’t contribute much in meetings, I would attend them to take notes. A few weeks into my internship, I started gaining more confidence and became the driver. I was still unsure of many things but, thankfully, the engineers I worked with guided and unblocked me.

I was the only Hispanic woman on the team and on that floor. It didn’t scare me, it didn’t intimidate me, it only motivated me. I felt unique and my favorite part about it was sharing my story with other engineers and noticing how surprised and interested they’d be to hear it! It put my whole world into perspective. That’s a beauty I find in being a minority, you bring your ideas, your perspective and your story to a workplace that was missing out on it.

Every day after work, I would walk home. It was the most beautiful and peaceful walk. If you’ve been to Chicago, I would walk down Wacker towards Lake Michigan and turn left on Michigan Ave until E Walton, where I was staying. Basically, I walked past the most beautiful parts of Chicago. I would stop for bubble tea at Te Amo Boba Bar, still the best boba I’ve had! Sometimes I’d stop at the park and sit by a tree to soak it all in. I would read my notes of the day and reflect on my experience, I was very thankful for the opportunity.

I get asked a lot if it was scary going into industry having no experience and knowing I couldn’t contribute as much. I walked in to my very first internship with a notebook ready to learn. People have this idea that as an engineer you are expected to know everything, even as an incoming intern. But, engineers continue learning every day and once you view it that way, you will be less intimidated, more open to learning from others and less afraid to ask questions. When you focus more on learning than succeeding, success will come to you.

Living in Chicago for 3 months was a dream, not only did I experience living in a big city by myself but I realized how much I love the path I’m walking on. I grew as an aspiring engineer and as an individual as well. I learned a lot about my career but most importantly, I learned about myself and I will always have Chicago to thank for that.

Chicago, you will always be my first home away from home and will always have a special place in my heart. I’ll see you very soon.

XOXO,

Pao