My Journey From Intern To Software Engineer

I joined Rocket Companies® back in the fall of 2019 as a Web Support intern during my sophomore year in college, and what I thought would be a quick 3-month internship has turned into a full-time career.

Many aspects set Rocket Companies apart from other organizations, but the main aspect that stood out to me was the fact that everyone is treated equally. Being a first-generation Muslim-American (my parents are both Iraqi immigrants), I was very nervous to step into the corporate world, fearing that I would not be accepted. At Rocket Companies, everyone has a voice and the opportunity to make a difference – whether you are an intern, immigrant, young, inexperienced or whatever the case may be!

Following my internship, I was a Data Analyst for about a year, and I enjoyed every second of it, but my ultimate career goal was to one day become a Software Engineer. I was able to accomplish that through DevBuild.

DevBuild is an intense 19-week program offered at Rocket Companies. When admitted into the program, your full-time job will be a Software Engineer trainee. While in training, you are compensated, and following completion of the program, you will be placed on a Software Engineering team within Rock Companies that matches your interests. A typical week in the program is spent Monday – Wednesday at Grand Circus, a boot camp for aspiring software engineers, Thursdays are spent as “self-study” days, and Fridays you are assessed on what you have learned at Grand Circus for that week. During self-study days, you have the autonomy to study as you please. While in the program, I typically spent my Thursdays reviewing topics learned that week, completing extended challenges from labs and preparing for the week ahead. On Fridays, you are evaluated on what you have learned throughout the week. You are trained at Grand Circus, but assessed at Rocket Companies.

Prior to joining DevBuild, I was a Data Analyst, focused on optimizing the Rocket Companies’ digital channels. I decided to join DevBuild as I have a deep passion for the art of technology and storytelling through data, as well as innovation. As I neared the end of my computer science degree, I began exploring new opportunities in the tech field within Rocket Companies, but did not feel entirely confident diving head first into a developer role. DevBuild has allowed me to begin my career as a Software Engineer with confidence.

I have learned the essentials of full-stack development as well as the fundamentals of Software Engineering, such as user-friendliness of applications, UI and how to “engineer” rather than how to simply code. The program is split in two different sections – the first section is focused on C# and back-end development while the second section covers the essentials of front-end development such as Angular and styling.

I love all the support and resources you have in the program. When you feel like you are stuck and begin to second guess your capabilities, you have 19 other team members going through the program with you and likely feeling the same. Trainers and program leaders are eager to help those going through DevBuild in any way they can. Your success is their main priority, and you are given all the resources you can possibly need to be successful in and out of the program.

My experience at DevBuild has been far beyond my expectations. In just a short period of time, I have gained so much knowledge and built a support network of program leaders, trainers and team members.

In the tech field, I aspire to leave a lasting impact on the world. Technology is the future and I have a deep passion for innovating and contributing to a conductive work environment. My long-term career goal in technology is to be able to teach others how to be successful software engineers. Being a minority myself, I’d ideally like to offer free courses to other minorities and women in STEM who do not have the means to afford a full-on engineering course, but have the determination to succeed as software developers.