The past few months have marked an exciting shift for me, transitioning from academic life to the professional world. Fresh out of college, I was eager to find an organization where I could learn, grow, and make meaningful contributions. That’s when I discovered Safe Security, a company at the forefront of cyber risk management. Their mission to redefine how organizations assess and mitigate cyber risks using AI-driven solutions immediately drew me in. Safe Security’s innovative approach to securing digital ecosystems perfectly aligned with my aspirations, making it the ideal starting point for my career.
The Interview Process: A Defining Moment
My journey to Safe Security began with a referral from Bhaskara, who is part of the Engineering team at Safe. This connection opened the door to an initial HR screening, where we discussed my background, technical skills, and career aspirations. After successfully clearing the HR round, I was invited to the technical interview stage, which turned out to be a rigorous yet rewarding experience.
In the first technical round, I was presented with a problem that focused on data structures and algorithms (DSA). The task challenged me to optimize a solution with a focus on time complexity while explaining my approach step by step. Additionally, the interviewer explored my understanding of backend development concepts, including RESTful APIs, microservices architecture, and scalability. The interviewer created an encouraging environment, allowing me to express my thought process while pushing me to think critically about optimization and design. The balance between challenge and support made this round an intellectually stimulating experience.
The final technical round centered around system design. I was tasked with designing a microservices-based system with an emphasis on evaluating scalability and system maintenance trade-offs. This part of the interview was more complex, requiring me to delve into service decomposition, fault tolerance, and performance considerations. Although I faced challenges, the interviewer encouraged me to walk through my thought process and adjust my approach. The collaborative nature of the discussion made the experience both challenging and highly educational, enabling me to refine my thinking.
Overall, the interview process at Safe Security was a great experience. It was designed to assess my technical expertise and my ability to think critically and adapt under pressure. The progression from problem-solving to system design gave me a holistic view of my skills, leaving me with a strong sense of accomplishment and excitement for the opportunity to contribute to Safe Security.
Starting the Internship: A Blend of Excitement and Growth
I officially began my internship on July 8th, 2024, with excitement and nervousness. Like any newcomer, I wondered whether I would meet expectations, fit the team, or adapt to the fast-paced environment. However, these concerns quickly dissolved, thanks to the welcoming culture at Safe Security. From day one, I felt a strong sense of belonging. The team was always there to guide and support me, and what started as professional relationships quickly evolved into meaningful friendships. Our workdays are balanced with moments of camaraderie, making the experience both productive and enjoyable.
One of the standout moments of my internship was working on FAIRCON for Safe Security’s platform. Working on a major new release for Safe Security's platform to be introduced at a major industry conference, just weeks away, was humbling and empowering. Contributing to a project of this scale gave me a deep sense of accomplishment, knowing that my work was directly impacting its success.
Growth and Development
During my time at Safe Security, I have experienced significant professional and personal growth. I continuously sharpen my technical skills by tackling real-world problems and gaining hands-on experience with advanced tools and technologies. Working with multiple programming languages, including Go and TypeScript, has broadened my technical expertise, while contributing to documentation has enhanced my attention to detail.
I am also developing strong engineering habits, such as writing clean, maintainable code and adhering to best practices for code reviews and testing. Furthermore, my communication skills are improving through collaboration with my team, fostering a productive work environment where ideas and feedback are openly shared. Taking ownership of my projects and responsibilities has empowered me to drive initiatives and confidently deliver results.
The fast-paced environment is teaching me to be more adaptive and resilient, while the constant mentorship and feedback from the team are pushing me to continuously improve. Every challenge I face is an opportunity to grow, bringing me closer to becoming a more skilled, confident, and efficient professional.
Looking Ahead
As I continue to grow and learn during my internship at Safe Security, I am excited about the possibility of transitioning into a full-time Software Development Engineer role. The experience I am gaining here aligns perfectly with my career aspirations, and I’m enthusiastic about contributing to the innovative work. I look forward to the opportunity to further my journey with this remarkable team.