Embracing Weakness: Why Knowing Your Flaws Can Be More Valuable Than Your Strengths – InBaltimore Internship Reflection

Written by: Elysa Pullman

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern as a Data Analyst intern for MileMarker. Although the role initially had a data science focus, it evolved into a more tech-centric position, which I found quiteexciting. MileMarker, a medical app company, has developed an app designed to provide feedback to medical residents post-surgery, ensuring they are able receive the support they need during their residency. Here’s a glimpse into my summer at MileMarker.

Learning New Skills

One of the highlights of my internship was the opportunity to learn and apply numerous new programming languages. As my role shifted away from research papers and towards tech, I delved into various coding languages and their applications due to my projects revolving around app updates.

Additionally, I gained insights into the medical field. Despite not being a pre-med student, the medical focus of my internship led me to read numerous research papers and watch videos about the medical space. This experience was not only enriching but also sparked a greater appreciation for and interest in working within the medical technology sector.

Getting Out of My Comfort Zone

At JHU, my coursework revolves around coding and applying those skills. However, MileMarker pushed me to explore a broader array of programming languages, which, while overwhelming at times, provided incredible exposure.

Furthermore, one particularly unique experience I had during my internship was shadowing a few surgeries. Though seemingly unrelated to software development, this experience was important because MileMarkers app is based on surgical performance. Witnessing surgeries firsthand allowed me to understand how the software could be applied in real-time scenarios. This broadened myperspective and underscored the importance of creating reliable and user-friendly software for healthcare applications (although I was thoroughly concerned the whole time).

Mentorship and Guidance

The support and mentorship I received at MileMarker were invaluable. From day one, my manager and colleagues were approachable and eager to share their expertise. Despite the smallsize of the MileMarker team, every member I encountered showed me kindness and support. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from such a talented and welcoming group of professionals.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, my summer internship at MileMarker was an incredibly rewarding experience. I gained hands-on experience in software development, learned from my colleagues about numerous different sectors, and significantly expanded my technical repertoire. I highly recommend looking into this position if you are a tech lover, medical lover, or just looking to help make a difference! If you’re interested in learning more about MileMarker, I encourage you to visit their website (http://milemarker.me/), or feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/elysapulliam) if you have any questions or would like to hear more about my experience.

By Life Design Lab
Life Design Lab