Working in a Remote Software Team: My Journey as a Software Engineer Intern

Imagine starting your very first job as a software engineering intern and finding yourself not in those bustling tech offices or recreating those ‘day in a life as a software engineer’ videos you see online but in the comfort of your own home. The realm of remote work has become your reality. 

As a working student who transitioned from a traditional office environment to a remote software engineering role, this shift felt like exploring unknown waters, bringing in new knowledge, processes and challenges. In this post, I’ll share my personal journey of adapting to remote work and how practical strategies helped me grow, not just professionally but as an individual.

Expectations vs. Reality of Remote Work: Before starting my remote internship, I had certain expectations about what it would be like, from online videos, articles, and blog posts about remote work. Some of these expectations were met but some took me by surprise.

Flexible schedule: I expected remote work to give me complete control over my schedule. However, there is some flexibility, I still need to follow team schedules, deadlines and meetings.

Challenges in Communication: Expecting that communication is all online, I anticipated potential delays in communication. Although delayed responses are part of the remote experience. I’ve been fortunate to have great support from my mentor, Sav who has always been quick to assist any enquiries, provide clarification and give feedback.

No commute = extra time for work: Initially, I thought the lack of commute would give more time to focus and less stress on commuting. But, it became clear that it can blur the lines between personal and work time, making it harder to switch off at the end of the day.

Less distractions: I expected working from home would mean fewer distractions compared to an office environment. But working from home also comes with its own set of distractions from family members to household chores.

The initial experience of working remotely needed some time adjusting. From setting dedicated break times to managing distractions from home and effectively structuring my day. Despite the initial challenges, I am gradually finding my rhythm and improving my workflow.

Challenges

With expectations adjusted, I soon encountered a few common challenges that come with remote work. Some common challenges I faced as a remote intern include maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It’s easy to let work spill into personal time when your home is also your office thus managing distractions becomes an ongoing effort. 

One of the biggest distractions has been video games. Since my workspace and gaming setup is shared, it gets incredibly tempting to jump into a game during breaks or when I’m feeling less productive. Knowing that video games are just a click away, makes it harder to focus on work.

Some strategies that helped me overcome these challenges include setting clear boundaries, creating a reward system for leisure time and scheduled regular check-ins at 4:30 pm everyday with regards to the work I progressed during the day. I structured my day to block time specifically for focused work and time for leisure after my tasks are completed. This reward system has helped me stay focused during working hours. These routines have assisted me stay on track and balance my productivity with regular breaks. While this strategy is still a work in progress, it’s made a significant difference in overcoming the challenges I faced.

Staying connected and Productive: Strategies & Techniques

Working remotely requires a new level of discipline and focus to stay productive throughout the day, especially without the structure of an office. Some of the strategies I’ve found helpful in maintaining productivity include,

Creating a dedicated workspace away from distractions is a key for staying focused. In a book Deep Work by Cal Newport, he emphasises the importance of minimising distractions and creating an environment for the sole purpose of conducting intense and deep work. Although I use the same setup for work and gaming, I’ve made clear differences to separate the two mentally. For example, I have a different lighting setup for work versus leisure time. This shift in environment has helped me enter or transition into “work” mode much easier.

I use a modified version of time blocking with pomodoro technique to stay productive. I start my day with a 120 minute deep work block where I prioritise complex tasks such as coding and debugging without interruptions. During this time, I eliminate distractions which allows me to fully dedicate my attention to the most challenging aspects of the work. After completing a deep work session, I switch to the modified pomodoro technique of 40 minute intervals followed by short breaks, to help maintain momentum and avoid burnout. If I find myself in a flow state, I’ll extend these work intervals to capitalise on the focus. This combination of deep work and pomodoro ensures that I make the most of my time while maintaining my energy levels.

Given that my workspace doubles as my leisure setup, keeping gaming from becoming a distraction has been one of my bigger challenges. To manage this, I’ve set clear conditions dependent on the completion of tasks. By leveraging a reward system, I’ve been able to reduce the temptation during work hours.

With a combination of all these techniques I have been able to maintain my productivity despite the challenges of working remotely. It’s about creating a structure that works for me, setting conditions and continuously reflecting on what can be improved.

Despite the challenges, remote work offers several benefits that can enhance both personal and professional productivity. A flexible work schedule, you can structure your day in a way that suits your working style. Reduction in commute time, costs and associated stress. With careful management, remote work can offer a healthier balance of work and life schedules. Being able to work in a comfortable environment has been a significant advantage.

Key learnings and Tips for Future Remote Interns

Working remotely as an intern has taught me a lot about managing time, staying organised and not being afraid to seek help when needed.

Be proactive, don’t hesitate to ask questions or request feedback. This is a big factor for my internship. At first I was nervous to ask questions or request feedback, but without the needed clarification or feedback, I would not be able to grow and learn. Fortunately, instead of giving me a list of work and pushing me aside, my mentors were working close with me, making sure I was on the right track and offering guidance whenever needed. 

Remote work has pushed me to develop essential soft skills such as adaptability, problem solving, self motivation and accountability. These skills have been essential in managing my workload. Establishing clear boundaries by setting dedicated working hours has helped me maintain a consistent work-life balance. 

Throughout the internship I’ve received valuable mentorship and support that exponentially helped me grow in my role as a software engineer intern. One of the most significant aspects of this internship has been the personal growth I’ve experienced. Remote work has pushed me to develop and refine a variety of soft skills that are equally important to technical skills.

Working remotely required clear and concise communication, through chat messages or video calls, being able to express thought processes and ask questions has been crucial. The nature of remote work means adapting to new tools, processes and skills quickly. I’ve had to adjust my schedules, learn a new programming language and be open to feedback which contributed to improving my ability to adapt in a professional setting. As a software engineer intern, a core part of the job requires troubleshooting, resolving technical issues. This experience has enhanced my ability to solve problems independently, made me more resourceful and confident in my abilities. Working remotely requires a high level of personal responsibility, taking ownership of the progress with my team, meeting deadlines. This has fostered a better sense of accountability helping me deliver quality results.

By building on these key learnings during my internship, I’ve not only grown as a software engineer but as a professional. These teachings combined with the technical expertise I’ve gained, has definitely shaped me into an improved version of myself. 

Overall, my remote internship experience has been nothing short of transformative. It has challenged me to grow both as a software engineer and as an individual, pushing me to develop critical skills such as independence, adaptability and accountability. Remote work has shown me the importance of clear communication, effective time management and the ability to stay focused, especially when distractions are just a click away.

Through this journey, I’ve learned that remote work isn’t just about flexibility. It’s about discipline, balance and self-awareness. It has reshaped the way I approach problem-solving and the value of being proactive in seeking guidance and feedback. The mentorship and support I received played a crucial role in my growth and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn in such a unique environment. This experience has not only prepared me for future challenges in the industry but also changed my perspective on how and where work can be done.

What has your experience with remote work been like? Share your stories, challenges or advice!