Get to know our Information Management trainees Jesper Ingo and Hampus Holmkvist
The class mates Jesper Ingo and Hampus Holmkvist have both carried out a six week long internship at Atea’s Information Management department at Atea’s Runsor office in Vaasa. They study Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) at YA – Vocational College of Ostrobothnia. Both are 18 years old, live in Koivulahti, Mustasaari and study their third and last year to become programmers. Find out what they think about their internship at Atea, their plans for the future and much more!
How come you applied for an internship at Atea?
Jesper: Believe it or not – this is actually my third internship at Atea! I found the company on the internet, and after recommendations from my uncle I decided to apply. I have chosen to return here since I really like the company and the company culture. The persons working here are also very nice and I have learnt a lot during my internships here.
Hampus: Already after Jesper’s first internship here he spoke very warmly of the place so I decided to also apply for an internship here to get to experience the company myself.
”Believe it or not – this is actually my third internship at Atea!”
What has been the most interesting tasks during your internship?
Hampus: Together with Jesper we have been working on an really interesting project. It’s an online tool that we call “the ultimate Christmas song finder”. By checking some options, like length, tempo, language, genre etc, you can quickly find exactly the Christmas song you are in the mood for. Another thing I appreciated a lot was the Software Development team’s Christmas afterwork some time ago – I had a blast!
Jesper Ingo has carried out three internships at Atea.
Jesper: I have also enjoyed working on our Christmas song finder project. Through the project we have also learnt a lot, for example that the name of a python server address cannot be changed afterwards… We’ll for sure keep this in mind for the future!
”Through the project we have also learnt a lot, for example that the name of a python server address cannot be changed afterwards… We’ll for sure keep this in mind for the future!”
What would you like to work with in the future?
Jesper: I see myself working as a programmer, preferably with backend. When it comes to programming languages, I have worked mostly with Python and that’s also my favourite programming language. Atea could be an interesting work place in the future!
Hampus: When coding, I prefer working with CSS and frontend development. I would like to work with data in the future, I however don’t know yet if it will be programming. I guess time will tell!
What are the most important things when choosing an employer?
Hampus: I think a good start is to do some research and ask people you know for recommendations. And remember that a positive attitude is essential when joining a new company. The company’s sustainability values are important as well as the fact that it’s a financially stable company so you can rely on getting your salary every month.
Jesper: The first thing that comes to my mind is that you want to really enjoy the work and the tasks. The salary level also needs to be taken into consideration. That the company is doing well overall is also important – it provides safety knowing that you have a secure working place and income. The company’s sustainability perspective also interests me.
”The company’s sustainability values are important as well as the fact that it’s a financially stable company so you can rely on getting your salary every month.”
What do you do during your spare time?
Jesper: I spend time with my friends, work out at the gym, and run my own programming projects.
Hampus: I enjoy spending time outdoors and often take my energetic and playful dog (an Australian Cattle Dog) for longs walks in the forest. Playing computer games is also a big interest of mine, as well as working out at the gym.
Hampus Holmkvist is heading for a career within the IT industry.
What is your best advice to other students looking for an internship within the IT industry?
Hampus: Try to find a good company and be open to learning new things. Although you are interested in programming, an internship is also a great opportunity to learn how to give presentations, talk to customers, develop social skills and so on. And last but not least an advice from my mum: visit as many different companies as possible!
Jesper: I agree, an internship is a great way to work on your socials skills. And when it comes to company culture, it’s really good to get experience from many different places!
”Try to find a good company and be open to learning new things. Although you are interested in programming, an internship is also a great opportunity to learn how to give presentations, talk to customers, develop social skills and so on.”
Looking ahead, what does the future hold for you?
Jesper: I will graduate this spring, and in July it’s time for me to carry out my military service. I will probably spend six months there, and thereafter I will start studying at Novia University of Applied Sciences in Vaasa to dig even deeper into programming!
Hampus: I plan to take a gap year after graduating until I join the military in January 2025. During the upcoming year I will take time to think about what I want to do in the future. I will probably also start studying at Novia University of Applied Sciences, I am however not sure about the topic yet but something data-related for sure!
Jesper and Hampus presenting their ultimate Christmas song finder project.
