Are you looking for tips on how to succeed in your internship? We spoke with a current intern and his manager at PayPal to get advice on what makes a great intern and how to set yourself up for success.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with some amazing interns over the years,” said Paddy Falkner, Head of the U.K Global Merchant Services Enterprise Integration Engineering team. “At our core, our team supports merchants during the integration of our products into their websites, apps, and e-commerce systems. It's a challenging and complex job, but one that our interns thrive in.”
When asked what makes a great intern, he listed some key characteristics: “A proactive approach to learning, the confidence to ask for help, and an eagerness to actively participate in team discussions and activities.”
Marius Hostinar is an Integration Engineer Intern in Paddy’s team. Marius works closely with PayPal's customers to understand their technical requirements and develop solutions that enable them to integrate PayPal's payment products into their systems.
"Successful integration requires proactive communication and patience, even in the face of unresponsive or passive-aggressive merchants,” said Marius, reflecting on challenges he's faced. “By establishing clear channels and understanding their needs, we can achieve the best outcome for everyone involved."
Marius loves the passion that the team brings to delivering high-quality integration solutions for customers. He values the collaborative nature of Paddy’s team, where everyone makes time to help each other and learn from each other's expertise. Marius also enjoys the global nature of their work.
He was also part of the intern showcase, where interns present what they learned during their placements.
“I was impressed by the breadth and depth of understanding demonstrated by Marius,” said Paddy. “He has truly embraced the role and is always up for a challenge.”
To incoming interns, Marius recommends being proactive and taking the initiative to ask questions, seek out new opportunities, and network with colleagues. By being proactive and networking, interns can gain valuable insights and potentially open doors for future opportunities.
Check out the PayPal Career site for more information on open opportunities for internships and recent graduates.