Welcome to the 2023 “Meet the Interns” series. This year, under the guidance of oLabs™ subject matter experts, we have more than 30 students developing solutions that can be applied to any number of use cases – solutions that save lives, serve the public, and make an impact through the power of emerging technology. Today, we introduce Team Edge members working on the EchoNet project.
Sid Su
Q: Sid, thank you for speaking with us. Tell us a little about your educational background and the larger project.
A: I am a rising senior at University of Maryland and a double Computer Science and Statistics major. At Octo, I am on the EchoNet project.
Q: What exactly is EchoNet?
A: EchoNet is a battlefield solution. Given an audio recording of a gunshot, EchoNet will determine where it came from and send a drone to take pictures of the gunshot’s location.
Q: What does Team Edge do on the project?
A: On Team Edge, our job is to do backend development. We need to deploy the components and integrate them into a single product. This requires us to create an environment and device to integrate the software, have all the components communicate internally with each other, send information to the front-end user interface, fly the drone to the site, take pictures of the site, and analyze the pictures for relevant information.
Q: What attracted you to Octo?
A: I was drawn to the project. I like how hands-on it is, and how if we do a good job, it will be taken over by the company and made into a real product that saves real lives.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10?
Hopefully, I am still learning, coding, and building relationships with people I love, in organizations I want to be a part of. I want to be part of cool projects and make a positive change in the world.
Chris Hung
Q: Chris, it’s time to hear from you. Tell us a little about your schooling and experience.
A: This is my second internship at Octo. I am a rising senior at George Mason University where I am studying computer engineering.
Q: Well, welcome back to Octo! We’ve heard a little about this year’s project, EchoNet. So this next question is more about you. In your field and career, what do you want to be known for?
A: I want to be regarded as a dedicated team player and diligent worker. I want my superiors and coworkers to know that they can count on me when a job must be done.
Q: Why Octo for your second internship?
A: I returned to Octo for my internship because EchoNet technology was something different. I wanted to challenge myself to work on something new.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
A: I’d like to advance in my job and obtain more knowledge and skills. In five years, I’d like to have climbed to the position of senior software engineer, taking on more challenging projects, directing teams, and contributing to architectural choices.
In 10 years, I’m thinking of launching my own software development firm or tech business. This would entail taking on the responsibilities of a business owner, such as interacting with clients and bringing innovative software solutions to market.
Hershel Rinker
Q: On to you, Hershel. What should we know about your schooling and education?
A: I am a rising senior at Virginia Tech. I’m majoring in computer engineering.
Q: And in your career, what would you like to be known for?
A: I’d like to be known as innovative and committed. I am a team player dedicated to my work.
Q: You probably had plenty of choices when choosing an internship. Why Octo?
A: I was attracted to the technology behind EchoNet. The project sounded interesting and different, and I thought it would be something I’d like to work on.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10 years?
A: Right now, I’m focused on my education. In five years, I see myself graduated from school with a master’s degree. In 10 years, I’d like to have a good job where I can use the skills I’ve obtained through my education and experience.
Christian Waldon
Q: Christian, nice to meet you. Can you tell us a little about your education?
A: I am currently pursuing my master’s degree in cybersecurity at Old Dominion University.
Q: So, what is your role on Team Edge?
A: On Team Edge, I am helping to build out the infrastructure and drone hardware for all teams involved in the EchoNet project.
Q: In your field and career, what do you want to be known for?
A: I aspire to be known as a great leader in the field of cybersecurity and engineering. I strive to make significant contributions to my team right now, and in the future, I hope to impact the industry as a whole.
Q: Why Octo for your internship?
A: I appreciate the valuable work Octo does, and I wanted to be a part of an organization that is at the forefront of technological advancements. Octo’s commitment to innovation and their diverse range of projects align with my career goals.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10?
A: In five years, I envision myself as a strong and experienced member of an engineering team, leading and contributing to cutting-edge projects. In 10 years, I aim to take on more significant leadership roles and make a lasting impact in the field of cybersecurity and engineering.
Saketh Rajesh
Q: Saketh, welcome! Where do you go to school, and what is your major?
A: I’m a rising Junior at Virginia Tech. I’m majoring in computer science.
Q: Thinking ahead, what do you want to be known for in your field and career?
A: Continuous learning and growth. I aim to constantly enhance my technical skills, deepen my understanding of software development principles, and stay updated with industry trends.
Q: Why Octo?
A: Octo is an innovative and cutting-edge company doing some amazing work in emerging technologies that have real applications. I’d like to use my knowledge and skills to contribute to that effort to make an impact.
Q: Where do you see yourself in five years? 10?
A: In five years, I hope to have transitioned from an intern to a full-time software engineer role, gaining valuable experience and expertise along the way. In 10 years, I hope to have progressed in my career, potentially taking on roles with increased responsibility, such as a senior software engineer or technical lead.
Thank you, Team Edge, for sharing your goals and aspirations with us. Octo is proud to support you as you learn and grow into IT.
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