Who are you, and what is your role at DSI Inc.?
Hi! I’m Jonathan Lee, a recent student hire and Software Engineering Intern at DSI Inc. I’m currently in my last semester as an undergraduate at UT Dallas, studying computer engineering. I’ve also started graduate school at UT Dallas and plan on getting a master’s in computer engineering either at UT Dallas or UT Austin. (Still waiting on a response!) My role at DSI Inc. is to work on various software and other engineering-related projects, working with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces), Python, ChatGPT, Microsoft Excel, and soon CAD tools.
What brought you to DSI?
A strong interest in computer science and engineering led me to this internship at DSI! I’ve had the opportunity to develop my engineering skill set in a professional environment. It’s strengthened my technical expertise, enhanced my resume, and set me apart in a competitive field. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and even more inspired to pursue a full-time career in the defense industry with companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and NASA!
What excites you about working at DSI?
The potential of contributing to something larger than myself is a big one. Even if I may have a relatively small role, I get to contribute to the success of a company providing important security and space services for our nation. Another thing that excites me is the ability to learn something new all the time, especially anything engineering related. I’ve always enjoyed learning new things, and DSI is another great means of doing that!
What new skills or technologies have you been learning?
I have learned many new technical and professional skills: API interaction, Python, data management in Excel, ChatGPT prompting, and professional communication/best practices. APIs act as an important link between different software systems and learning how to extract data from them effectively has allowed me to contribute to DSI’s goals. I wrote Python scripts as a part of my API tasks to manage large amounts of company-related data in Excel. ChatGPT and other large language models have become an amazing part of DSI ’s business operations, and learning how to effectively prompt and communicate with them has enabled me to further succeed in projects. I’ve also gained valuable insights and mentorship from my DSI supervisor, about professional communication in the real world. I feel more confident with my email correspondences, project presentations, and day-to-day interactions and feel even more prepared for future careers.
What makes DSI an awesome company to work for?
The flexibility of my hours, mission, and goals of DSI, and the people! As a student in my last semester of undergraduate studies, time management is super important. Having the flexibility to work whenever I want during the week has given me time to both contribute to DSI’s goals and to be the best possible student I can be. DSI’s mission and goals are very important to me, setting the highest standard in terms of quality services and ethical standards. Finally, my coworkers on the DSI headquarters staff have been very welcoming and friendly, allowing me to feel heard and understood as a new hire. I am proud to work for a company like DSI and to be a part the effort to contribute to America’s leading national security and space programs!
