An intern shares his experience and explains why anyone passionate about drone tech should pursue an internship at Intel.Meet Johannes Pirhonen. He loves photography, DIY electronics projects, freestyle skiing, and working on his old BMW. He also loves working with the newest technologies – and he had the chance to do just that as an intern with Intel’s unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) team in Tampere, Finland.
We recently spoke with him about his experience. Below, he shares how he came to be an intern with us and how our culture of inclusion, flat hierarchies, fast decision making, and exciting projects makes Intel Finland a great place to push possible – and your career – forward.
How did your Intel journey begin?My best friend told me he heard Intel’s Drone Team was recruiting interns in Finland. Before then, I didn’t know that Intel was involved in drone technology at all. I was interested in drones, and I knew that designing a flying machine consists of a variety of engineering disciplines. Of course, it was a no-brainer for me to apply for the opportunity to learn about such a diverse area of technology. I was invited to an interview and not long after that I got a call from a foreign number, which of course turned out to be the HR department of Intel. A couple of emails later I had secured what I thought was my dream internship. And I was right.
What is your role at Intel?My team consists of a diverse mix of experienced and skillful professionals pushing the forefront of drone light show technology. I applied for the position of hardware engineering intern, and right away I was given the chance to take part in a project where I got the responsibility to design and prototype a part of a drone system. I have since had the privilege to practice many different disciplines of engineering: from field testing drones in the countryside and soldering microscopic components to writing code, assisting validation, and learning the industry processes on both the hardware and software side.
How did you team work together? The team has a low hierarchy and teammates are easily approachable and helpful. I felt welcomed from the beginning.
What surprised you the most from this experience?The flexibility and trust of my superiors and Intel as an employer. I was given the opportunity to take responsibility, make mistakes, and learn from them.
What did you take away from your Intel internship?New friends, professional contacts, personal and professional skills, self-confidence, and above all a reinforced idea that this is what I want to do “when I grow up.”
What are three reasons why working at Intel is appealing?You are surrounded by an international team of professionals with diverse backgrounds. Not one day of your internship is the same. You get to experience, learn, and build on the newest tech.
Why should young engineers be interested in working at Intel?In addition to being a world-class technology company with strong values, Intel is a flexible employer that recognizes your efforts and helps you find and develop your strengths and weaknesses throughout your career.
What would you say to someone curious about applying for an internship at Intel?With Intel you get world-class tools, support, mentors, and an international learning environment to elevate your career and personal development to the next level and beyond. And you get paid to do it! The most important thing is to have an open mind and a can-do attitude. If you are driven by tech and teamwork, and not afraid of challenges, Intel is for you.
Inspired by Johannes? We’re looking for passionate interns to join our team and help grow our drone organization. Be part of one of the most exciting trends in the industry. Check out our internship opportunities today: https://jobs.intel.com/ListJobs/All/Search/country/FI/intel-job-type/intern/.
