Introduction
For my internship at eFusion Technology, I had the opportunity to work as a Frontend Web Developer. Throughout the internship, I was exposed to various tasks that allowed me to learn and grow as a developer. This includes designing and implementing web interfaces, developing custom Prestashop modules, and researching new technologies.
As a result, I have gained valuable skills and knowledge that will serve me well in my future career. Through my internship experiences, I have understood the complex and ever-changing world of web development and design. My internship sparked a passion for this exciting and dynamic industry.
Educational Background
As a student at Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Computing, I have learned about programming over the past few semesters. From the fundamentals of coding to creating an advanced document query system, I have gained a wealth of knowledge and experience.
One of my favourite aspects of web application development is creating the user-facing front end. Perhaps the most prominent reason I enjoyed it so much is that I could directly see the results of my efforts. I can control how users interact and view the information by emphasising certain elements and keeping others more subtle.
Despite this, I also enjoy back-end development, as I like working with data and how it flows from the user to the database. While the average user may not see the data manipulation on the back end, it is crucial to the functioning of the application.
With this in mind, I began searching for an internship in web development, focusing on either the front-end, back-end, or both. After a few days of research, I came across eFusion Technology. They’re a website design company in Singapore that offers in-house web design services, and e-commerce website development.
I applied immediately and, after an interview, was offered a six-month internship with the company as a “Frontend Web Developer”. I was excited to begin this opportunity and see where it takes me in my career.
My Role & Responsibilities
As a Frontend Web Developer, my job can be divided into three main categories: Development, Ad-Hoc, and Research. In the Development category, my primary tasks involve implementing visually appealing web interfaces using HTML, CSS, and JS.
Development
I specialise in web development and design and work closely with the design team. This collaboration ensures that their designs are accurately translated into functional web pages. Additionally, I ensure that the web pages I create are mobile-responsive and work seamlessly across various devices and browsers.
Ad-Hoc
The Ad-Hoc category encompasses tasks that previous clients have requested, such as troubleshooting e-commerce functionality issues. These issues can range from elements not displaying correctly on a website to emails confirming orders not being sent to customers. I may also be asked to implement new features such as sliders, carousels, or lightboxes. This aspect of my job takes priority as these tasks are often urgent, and clients expect them to be completed within a few days.
Research
The final category of my job duties is Research. These tasks can be assigned to me as needed and can encompass a wide range of subjects. For example, I may be asked to research modules that clients have requested or software that could streamline business processes. The modules I research can be used to increase sales, improve customer experience, and improve SEO, among other things. Research tasks can take a significant amount of time as it is necessary to compare and contrast multiple options. However, the amount of time dedicated to research can vary depending on the urgency.
Key Projects
For a few weeks during the internship, I had the opportunity to develop an e-commerce website for a client using Prestashop.
I worked closely with the design team to create a visually appealing and user-friendly website that met clients’ requests. This process involved configuring the Prestashop settings and implementing various features and functionalities.
Despite being new, I had previously learned the fundamentals of web development in school and was able to apply them. However, the development process was not without its challenges.
There was a lot of debugging involved, as we worked to iron out any issues and ensure that the website was functioning properly. I learned a great deal from this experience and feel more confident in my abilities as a Frontend Web Developer.
I recently had the opportunity to develop a custom module for Prestashop from scratch. The purpose of this module was to enhance the customer experience. It aims to provide a way for businesses to stay in touch with their customers after a purchase is made.
Challenges
This was a major challenge for me, as I had no prior experience with PHP, the Prestashop file and data structure, or hooks. I was determined to learn by reading documentation, watching videos, and following tutorials to gain the necessary skills.
The process of developing this module was not easy, and there were many times when I encountered roadblocks. However, with persistence and a willingness to learn, I was eventually able to create a module that worked well overall.
This module is now available, and I am confident it will boost customer experience by staying connected with them.
Skills & Knowledge Gained
During my internship experience, I gained a wide range of skills and knowledge in the field of web development. I learned to use HTML, CSS, and JS in front-end development to create visually appealing and user-friendly web interfaces. I also gained a deep understanding of the Prestashop system and how to use it to create and manage e-commerce websites.
In addition to front-end development, I also gained experience in back-end development. I learned how to develop custom Prestashop modules using PHP and hooks. This required me to delve into the Prestashop system and understand how it handles data and processes requests.
In web design, I learned about the design thinking process and how to apply it to create visually appealing web pages. I also gained a better understanding of the factors contributing to a successful web design. This includes the usability, accessibility, and user experience of the design.
Finally, my internship experience allowed me to develop soft skills such as communication and time management. I learned how to communicate effectively with clients and manage my time and tasks effectively to meet deadlines.
I also gained insight into the business operations of a web agency. This includes how they price tasks and websites and how to train clients to manage their e-commerce sites.
Future Goals & Plans
My internship experience has solidified my desire to stay in the web development industry. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a developer. I am eager to continue building upon my skills and knowledge in the field.
In the future, I hope to diversify my skills and knowledge by exploring new and emerging technologies. This allows me to stay up to date and be in the know about the latest industry trends.
My ultimate goal is to become a proficient web developer capable of creating any e-commerce website I desire. This could involve creating an e-commerce website for myself or my family or working with other companies in the same industry. I believe that e-commerce is expected to continue growing in Singapore in the coming years.
Hence, I want to be at the forefront of this growth, helping businesses to succeed and thrive in the digital age.
Conclusion
Looking back on my internship experience, I can confidently say it has been hugely enriching and rewarding. I have learned a lot, from the fundamentals to the complex aspects of web development and module creation. I have also gained valuable insight into the business operations of a web agency and developed my communication and time management skills.
One of the things that have struck me the most about this internship is how different it is from what I learned in school. While my education provided a strong foundation of knowledge, it was through hands-on experience and exposure to real-world scenarios that I was able to understand and apply my skills truly.
Working in the web development industry has been a different experience than I expected. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in this dynamic and constantly evolving field.
All in all, my internship experience has been a fruitful one. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented and dedicated team at eFusion Technology. I have gained valuable skills and knowledge that will serve me well in my future career, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me next.
An eFusion Technology internship could be an ideal opportunity for you if you aspire to acquire valuable industry experience and collaborate with some of the tech industry’s most talented professionals.
