What was your favorite part about your UseIT experience?

Problem Solving. I guess engineering itself is a problem solving field and every task that I got as a UseIT coder involved solving some sort of problem. I enjoyed designing solutions and coming up with ideas to add to the existing software and actually implement those ideas and see it function was especially satisfying.

What about the UseIT program have you benefited from most?

The experience. As a student without any previous work experience, coming into the program was tremendously beneficial to me. I actually applied the theory I learnt in class in the real world. Witnessing, and actually being part of the software development cycle itself is something that will benefit me greatly in the future, especially once I graduate. Not only did I improve my programming and communication skills, but I also learnt certain the so called "tools of the trade" such as new programming techniques and ideas that I may have never learnt at school. This experience is something that I will carry with me in the future.

How has your understanding or appreciation for earthquake science been affected by the UseIT program?

I have learnt much more about earthquakes and geoscience than the average computer scientist. It has given me an appreciation of geology and a better understanding of seismic behavior and its effects. The UseIT program has also widen my knowledge base and given me more options in terms of what I can do for higher education.

What is your overall impression of the facilities and equipment?

The facilities and equipment, I believe is amazing. We have organized code distribution well with CVS, everyone has a personal powerful PC to work with and the way everything is set up is great. I, along with several other interns was privileged enough to even have dual monitors installed on my PC! But besides that, we've got everything we want in terms of equipment. However, we may need more machines as the number of interns increase.

What is the atmosphere or working environment like?

The atmosphere is without a doubt a friendly one. Everyone knows each other and we are more like friends than co-workers. People joke a lot and the flexible nature of the job enables us to interact casually and speak freely. Also the fact that we do not need to wear formal attire makes the environment less tense and more relaxed which I think maybe ideal conditions to write code!