Our own product development projects, or R&D, have played an important role in the development of coders at the beginning of their careers. Our coders who come for internships start at Jidoka R&D, developing our company's own solutions as a team with other trainees. For over ten years, we have been giving trainees real projects and encouraging them to take responsibility for them, in order to maximise skill development and make internships lead more easily to employment. Over the past decade or so, dozens of trainees have worked diligently in Jidoka R&D, most of whom are still employed with us.
Over the years, our budding coders have managed to develop quite diverse ICT solutions. These include, among others, and Jidoka's IoT Platform and Smart Hub and development in Britain, and most recently on the project Sports club results board system Mentoring. We have wanted to give our intern coders a genuine opportunity to develop and hone the skills needed in working life. We care a lot about our interns and always support them in everything they do.
Below are Niko's and Leo's experiences working at Jidoka's R&D. Niko joined Jidoka in 2018 to complete MSc:n compulsory work placement. At TAMK, Niko studied information and communications technology. Subsequently, he did his thesiswith us, graduated and stayed with us in permanent employment.
Niko is developing a results display system for sports clubs.
Leo began his traineeship with us in 2016, at just 15 years old, as a vocational school student. He is now in his third year studying embedded systems at TAMK, with the aim of graduating as a software engineer. Concurrently, Leo works part-time in our R&D department.
Leo is working on code.
What was the work experience like at Jidoka?
Niko: Interesting, as I was immediately given responsible work to do. I learned a tremendous amount on the job, and my own knowledge of code and coding grew visibly.
Leo: Interesting continuous learning and a fair amount of independent work. Help and guidance were always available when needed. Generally pleasant.
What is it like to work in Jidoka’s R&D department?
Niko: Fast-paced and enjoyably challenging. Customer requests are aimed to be met almost immediately as they come in, so the work can change quickly. However, all of this is really rewarding when you receive good feedback from customers.
Leo: Challenging, almost every day you have to learn something new and always get to challenge yourself. On the other hand, it's also rewarding when you get to see the results of your own work. And even though there are plenty of rushes and challenges, the work environment is pleasant and relaxed to balance the stress.
How have you developed as a software developer at Jidoka R&D?
Niko: The experience gained through doing has been immense, as it feels like when I arrived at Jidoka, I was unsure of my coding skills, but after being at Jidoka for a while, my confidence in my own abilities has grown – not to mention my coding skills themselves.
Leo: In R&D, I have been able to develop my skills in a number of different areas and broaden my expertise. Examples include Android development, GO/Python and various web development frameworks such as Angular/React and C#+MVC.
What have you done at Jidoka R&D?
Niko: I have become familiar with C#, JavaScript and HTML whilst developing the Jidoka IoT platform’s web portal, but for the most part I have been working with Android devices using Java. Among other things, I have developed an advertising application for Android used on digital billboards and written code for a digital scoreboard.
Leo: Firstly, I was able to develop a new product, which included flashing device firmwares, building a browser-based user interface, and designing and developing related message queues and databases. Secondly, I was involved in the software development of Jidoka IoT devices and updating the devices' browser-based management system. And lastly, the digital scoreboard system for sports clubs.
Why is Jidoka R&D a great place to grow as a software developer?
Niko: You can notice your own skills growing in a short amount of time, and responsible customer work is rewarding.
Leo: Versatile and educational work, where you learn a lot by doing and get to practice so-called real-world cases.
How has Jidoka R&D supported your studies?
Niko: I received the topic for my thesis and a huge amount of support for its completion from Jidoka. The thesis almost fell by the wayside amidst my work, but Jidoka's management took it upon themselves to grant me time during working hours to write my thesis, and it was subsequently completed.
Leo: I have had several courses accredited based on my experience from R&D, and I've been able to work part-time alongside my studies, according to my own time and energy levels.
Why did you stay to work at Jidoka?
Niko: A good working environment and atmosphere. If anything is puzzling, it doesn't feel like there's any barrier to discussing it with the boss. In addition, fast-paced work is very well suited to me.
Leo: A pleasant working environment and diverse and educational work.
Why would you recommend Jidoka for an internship or a workplace?
Niko: Working is enjoyable and educational, the management and colleagues are very supportive of my work, and we have an amazing coffee machine.
Leo: It’s a workplace that offers valuable learning opportunities and provides excellent support for other studies, particularly in software-related fields.
What should an intern expect from Jidoka R&D and what should they be prepared for?
Niko: For fast-paced work and a fun working atmosphere.
Leo: A lot of work and you never know what you'll get to do during the day.