Kinaxis Inc.

07/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 11:47

Learning by doing: Our interns on real projects, real impact, and real growth

Work Life

Learning by doing: Our interns on real projects, real impact, and real growth

By Elmira Khani 10 Jul 2025

Fetching coffee? Making copies? Not at our internships! We know the best learning happens when you're tackling real challenges with skilled colleagues at your side. In this Q&A, we're catching up with two current Kinaxis interns, Harshpreet Singh and Ryan Lee. They share what it's like to build professional skills in a place where you can try new things, partner with leaders, and do work that matters, and they offer advice for incoming interns and co-ops who want to make the most of their placements.

Harshpreet Singh, Intern Software Developer, Algorithms, Quality

Can you describe your career journey so far?

My career journey has been an exciting learning experience. As a Software Developer Intern at Kinaxis, I've had the opportunity to work on meaningful projects that have strengthened my technical skills, particularly in C++, framework development, and test automation. Before this, I had some experience with software development, but this internship has taken my skills to the next level, exposing me to real-world challenges in a professional environment.

How would you describe the culture at Kinaxis?

The culture at Kinaxis is incredibly welcoming and supportive. From day one, I've felt encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas, and contribute meaningfully to projects. The company values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. The mentorship and guidance from experienced developers has made a significant impact on my professional growth.

What are some of the highlights in your experience at Kinaxis?

One of the biggest highlights has been the opportunity to work on real projects that full-time employees work on. It's been a wonderful experience because, although it is challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding and allows me to learn so much. Additionally, I really enjoy having lunch in the office with new people-the food is great and motivates me to be in the office more often!

What have you learned in your time at Kinaxis?

Throughout my time at Kinaxis, I've gained a deeper and production-level understanding of C++, focusing on writing efficient code and debugging complex issues. I have also developed a solid understanding of the product Maestro, which has helped me contribute more effectively. Moreover, I've learned how to navigate a large codebase, collaborate effectively with a team, and adapt to an agile work environment.

What are some of the projects that you have worked on during your placement?

I have had the chance to work on two different projects. During the initial four months of my internship, I focused on adding numerous capabilities to the Logical Test Framework in C#, which our Algorithm team uses. Currently, I am working on resolving customer issues, which involves learning the product, identifying root causes, and writing efficient and robust C++ code.

What advice would you give to an incoming co-op/intern?

My best advice to incoming co-ops and interns is to be proactive and ask questions. It's okay not to know everything. Your internship is a learning experience, and your team is there to support you. Take initiative in exploring the codebase, seek feedback, and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Also, make sure to document your learnings and contributions; it will help you track your growth and showcase your work effectively.

Ryan Lee, Intern Site Reliability Engineer

Can you describe your career journey so far?

Before joining Kinaxis, I gained diverse experiences in the culinary industry, working as a chef and butcher for over 10 years, which strengthened my problem-solving and teamwork skills. I also served as a sergeant in the Republic of Korea Army for two years, where I developed leadership and a strong sense of responsibility. After transitioning into IT, I studied computer engineering and built a solid foundation in programming, networking, and cloud technologies.

How would you describe the culture at Kinaxis?

Kinaxis has a supportive and growth-oriented culture that reflects its motto, People Matter. The company actively supports employees' job performance and fosters their future growth. The work environment is highly collaborative, with a strong sense of teamwork and shared responsibility. When problems arise, team members are always ready to step in and offer help, creating a positive and cooperative atmosphere.

What are some of the highlights in your experience at Kinaxis?

I once made a mistake in my work due to a communication error. Although it was a stressful moment for me, my experienced teammates helped me resolve the situation and involved me directly in the recovery process, allowing me to correct the issue. This experience taught me valuable lessons and helped me improve my attention to detail and problem-solving skills, allowing me to learn from my mistakes.

What have you learned in your time at Kinaxis?

I've learned how to manage cloud infrastructure and effectively troubleshoot complex system issues. I gained hands-on experience with network technologies, PowerShell automation, Linux server management, decommissioning, and deployment. Additionally, I learned to apply industry-standard tools and techniques to solve real-world problems, broadening my technical expertise.

What are some of the projects that you have worked on during your placement?

I worked with a skilled staff engineer to improve server stability and capacity by decommissioning large-scale Linux servers using Prometheus, Bitbucket, and Grafana. This project was particularly valuable because it allowed me to collaborate with members of my squad and others. Through this experience, I gained insight into how other squads operate and plan to participate in future cross-team projects.

What advice would you give to an incoming co-op/intern?

Don't hesitate to ask questions. The team is always ready to support you. Engaging with your manager or team lead about areas of interest can create opportunities for collaboration and learning beyond your immediate team. Staying curious and proactive will also open the doors to valuable learning experiences and help you make meaningful contributions to the team.

Are you ready to learn while making an impact? Check out our opportunities: https://www.kinaxis.com/en/open-positions.

Check back often, as new roles are added each term!

More from Elmira Khani

Work Life

Day in the life of a machine learning engineer

By Elmira Khani · 17 Jun 2025

Work Life

Transforming supply chains-and sales careers-at Kinaxis

By Elmira Khani · 28 May 2025

Work Life

Kickstart your career in supply chain consulting with Kinaxis

By Elmira Khani · 8 Apr 2025

Work Life

From intern to full-time consultant: Anita's journey at Kinaxis

By Elmira Khani · 18 Feb 2025

Kinaxis Inc. published this content on July 10, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 10, 2025 at 17:47 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at support@pubt.io