I am currently completing my university studies overseas, but for the summer, I wanted to return to my home country while still gaining valuable professional experience. I began searching for remote opportunities using AI tools like Gemini, which pointed me toward Katrium. The company perfectly matched my criteria, so I visited their website and applied for their open internship position.
Beyond Basic IT: A Full-Stack Reality
Because the role was simply titled “IT Internship,” I was initially afraid that I might be stuck doing basic, repetitive IT support tasks. However, seeing topics like data analytics, cybersecurity, and automation on their website gave me hope—and fortunately, my actual experience went far beyond my expectations. I essentially stepped into a full-stack developer role. Over two months, I engineered three major internal tools from scratch: an HR Database Platform, an Interviewer Timesheet application, and a comprehensive CRM system. Instead of fixing routers or doing basic IT helpdesk work, I was utilizing JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Next.js, and PostgreSQL (Supabase) to build secure, deployed applications. I also had the opportunity to dive into cybersecurity research regarding CAA vulnerabilities and perform SEO/GEO analysis.
Experiencing the Complete SDLC
Interestingly, what I gained most for my future wasn’t just learning new coding frameworks, but understanding how technology functions within a real business. In university classes, we are taught the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in theory. At Katrium, I experienced it in practice. I learned how to listen to workers, understand their daily operational demands, adjust my code based on their feedback, and write tailored technical documentation. Seeing how software directly solves actual business bottlenecks was an invaluable lesson I will carry into my future career.
Navigating Remote Work
To be completely honest, the remote environment was challenging at first. When you work on-site, you can easily tap a coworker on the shoulder to ask a quick question. Remotely, I was initially hesitant to ask what I feared might be “stupid” questions, worrying I was wasting someone’s time. I was handed a list of complex tasks and had to figure out how to navigate them independently. However, as time passed, I adjusted to this style of work. I learned how to communicate efficiently across screens and realized that the supervisors were incredibly supportive.
Leaving a Tangible Mark
As my internship wraps up, I hope to be remembered at Katrium for the practical contributions I made. I want the databases and applications I built to continue being utilized, making the team’s daily workflow easier and more efficient long after my internship ends.
Should You Apply?
If you are worried that a remote internship will just consist of repetitive tasks, let my journey change your mind. I highly recommend Katrium to students who trust themselves and are not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. If you are courageous enough to tackle problems independently without needing step-by-step instructions for every single detail, you will thrive here. You will make mistakes, but it is not the end of the world—the mentors are wonderful and always ready to help. I call on anyone who wants to push their boundaries and learn how to make decisions for themselves to apply.