Before starting my internship at ETA, I expected it to be a friendly yet hard-working environment, and that was very much the case. What stood out more than I anticipated was just how collaborative the workplace is. With engineers sitting alongside each other, it was easy to have open conversations, learn from peers and share challenges. That atmosphere made it a really engaging place to develop new skills and feel part of the team from the start.

Over the course of my internship, I’ve had the chance to develop both technical and professional skills. I became confident using Altium to design schematics and create PCB layouts, and I also picked up useful software skills for hardware–software interfacing, including basic coding on microcontrollers. On top of that, I gained a lot of technical knowledge around EV motor design, not only through my own projects but also by joining discussions in team meetings, which gave me a broader view of how the different disciplines come together.

In terms of the working environment and the support I received, I found the team at ETA to be incredibly friendly and welcoming from the very first day. There was always someone approachable I could turn to for help or advice, and I felt encouraged to ask questions without hesitation. The collaborative way of working created plenty of opportunities to learn from others as well as contribute my own ideas, which made it a genuinely positive place to build my skills.

One of the most rewarding projects I worked on was helping to evaluate and select the microcontroller for our new design. I researched different options and it was really satisfying to see one of my suggestions chosen and now being used. I also designed a breakout board to support future testing, which gave me the chance to apply the Altium skills I’d developed. Knowing that my work would actually have a lasting use for the team was a great feeling and gave me confidence that I was making a real contribution.

Looking ahead, my internship at ETA has definitely prepared me for both my final year at university and my future career. The technical knowledge and hands-on experience will be invaluable during my master’s, but I’ve also learnt how to work in a professional engineering team, adapt to challenges and communicate effectively. Having contributed to real projects with real value, I now feel much more confident about stepping into the industry after my studies.

Finally, I’d like to thank the whole team at ETA for making this such a rewarding experience. The welcoming and collaborative environment, along with the chance to work on meaningful projects, made this summer both enjoyable and educational. I feel very fortunate to have learnt so much from such a supportive and knowledgeable group, and I’ll carry these experiences with me into the next stage of my studies and career.