From College to the Global Stage: How an Internship at EPAM Mexico Launched a Successful Tech Career

From College to the Global Stage: How an Internship at EPAM Mexico Launched a Successful Tech Career

Jorge Canto, a Junior Software Engineer at EPAM Mexico, has always sought big challenges. However, software was not his first career choice. Though nuclear engineering was his original passion, limited opportunities in that field prompted him to take a different path. Programming appealed directly to his love of math, his endless curiosity and his passion for learning new things. And his journey towards professional success started with EPAM Campus and an internship. 

Jorge is incredibly curious and cannot leave a question unanswered. Technology presented him with plenty of questions to solve and solutions to explore. It gave him the widest possible array of skills to develop and learn. And yet, while he is a fan of accumulating knowledge, he still needed to acquire some experience; surprisingly, choosing where was not easy.

His first project was in the public sector, and for him, the pressure was real. He was still studying at the time and was teamed with a senior engineer to develop a large-scale application in just seven months. Communication with stakeholders was unclear, deadlines were tight, documentation was unavailable and mentoring was not provided. And while he learned to work at an accelerated pace, his first taste of professional work was not the best one.

Finding a second opportunity was a challenge. It seemed many regional companies didn’t have programs in place to support students. Then, when he found EPAM Campus, there was a remote talk he attended to learn more. He decided to apply on a Monday morning, and quite frankly, he wasn’t expecting much, since almost all his previous applications to other companies had been ignored. And yet, with EPAM, he had an interview by the end of the week; he took the technical assessments, and, within three weeks of that initial application, he was ready to start. He still remembers fondly the moment when he excitedly told his parents, “I think I have a job.”

The EPAM Campus Internship Journey

EPAM Campus provides students all over the world with free online courses, mentoring from industry-leading experts and everything they need for a successful start to their professional journey.

Jorge joined the EPAM Campus Internship Java lab. This selective program accepted only two students that year, and prepares students to reach a technical level, enabling them to participate in a project. 

The program consisted of self-paced lessons to help participants manage their college coursework, and close mentoring from some of EPAM’s leading experts who answered questions and guided the students toward tech success. Paired with communications and soft skill lessons, students gained the skills needed for global tech careers. 

At the end of the program, students interview with a qualified member of their team, who personally evaluates their work, and go through a final assessment to confirm they have the required skills to pursue full-time roles. 

“I learned more in my six months as an intern than in my first three years at school,” states Jorge. After the program concluded, he finished his studies and, upon being informed that he had passed his final test, received the call he had been waiting for: an offer to join EPAM as a Junior Engineer. 

The Art of Stepping Up

When he joined EPAM, his first project was an interesting endeavor. Java was his core skill, but for this assignment, the team needed engineers who could combine Java expertise with C++ skills. While others might have been hesitant, Jorge never backs down from a tech challenge. Having learned the C++ language in school, he stepped up and joined the team.

He joined an ongoing project where EPAM engineers were working with a global television and entertainment product manufacturer. There, he had well-structured sprints that gave him the time to bring his ideas to life. More importantly, he was part of a friendly, helpful team that welcomed him and was always available to answer his questions and help him avoid simple mistakes. “They took good care of me. They always made the time to talk to me and teach me best practices — get a higher level of awareness of everything I do — and even help me think in a more modular way,” adds Jorge.

At the beginning of the project, he was asked about his career expectations and where he saw himself in the next couple of years. While he expressed his interest in working on EPAM’s biggest project, he was told that being a part of such a critical team could require more than a couple of years. Yet, after his remarkable performance in that first assignment, he managed to get there faster than anyone anticipated. He even surprised himself and expanded his skill set into the realm of Quality Assurance. 

When asked about being part of the EPAM team, he highlights his favorite things, like how flexible our work model can be and how autonomy has allowed him to be more present at home. He makes time to engage in his passion for music and find the ever-essential balance between work and life. He also enjoys EPAM’s extensive learning resources and documentation, which have been essential for his professional growth and satisfying his innate curiosity. 

Sharing Knowledge

Now, less than three years after starting his internship at EPAM, Jorge is preparing for his assessment to climb to the ranks of Middle Engineer. When asked to give advice for students looking for their first big break, he says, “Prioritize your internship, but also focus on self-care. Find time for your hobbies and always look for balance. Never be afraid to apply for an internship or any other opportunity. Finally, the only bad question is the one you don’t ask! It is essential that you always clear your doubts.”

Besides growing his skills and advancing toward his career goals, Jorge emphasizes reciprocity, as he is now also a mentor for EPAM Campus. He wants to give future generations the chance to learn, just as he did. He enjoys sharing his knowledge with them so they, too, can start their journey on the right foot. 

Do you want to get the mentorship and advice you need to start a successful tech career? Visit EPAM Campus and discover our wide range of open programs.