From Student to Developer: A Year of Growth at Komosion

John O'Neill

Jun 18, 2025

Roy Elbert has been on what he describes as a “transformative journey”. This is his account of his one year as a Komosion Intern which came to an end this month.

June 2025: Over the past twelve months, my internship has been a transformative experience that allowed me to grow both technically and professionally. During the first six months, I was introduced to the fundamentals of working in a collaborative development environment. 

One of my primary responsibilities involved working alongside a team of developers and project stakeholders to help build a new website from scratch.

This project gave me the opportunity to understand the lifecycle of a web development project—from initial planning and wire-framing to testing and deployment. Through this collaboration, I learned how to communicate effectively within a team, manage timelines, and resolve issues constructively.

“I learned how to communicate effectively within a team, manage timelines,
and resolve issues constructively …”

At the same time, I focused on sharpening my technical skills by working closely with experienced developers. I was exposed to real-world coding practices, which helped me improve the quality of my work, understand code architecture, and become more efficient in problem-solving.

I was able to work on both the front-end and back-end components, which broadened my knowledge in languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP. I also learned version control using Git, which was essential for managing changes across a multi-developer environment. This phase helped me build confidence in writing scalable code and deepened my understanding of debugging and optimisation techniques.

Another key learning area during my first internship phase was website maintenance. I was responsible for monitoring the performance and functionality of existing websites, applying updates, managing plugins, and ensuring site security.

This experience taught me the importance of long-term maintenance and the various tasks involved in keeping a website reliable and user-friendly. Beyond the technical aspects, I also began to explore the broader IT business landscape, gaining a foundational understanding of how digital platforms support business strategies and customer engagement.

The second six months of my internship offered a more advanced and specialised experience. I had the privilege of working with a professional web designer and a senior developer, which allowed me to gain deeper insight into how design and functionality come together to create user-friendly digital experiences.

I learned how to interpret design briefs, apply UI/UX principles, and implement responsive design strategies that cater to diverse devices and audiences. This experience highlighted the importance of not just making things work, but making them intuitive and visually appealing.

What truly set the second half of my internship apart was the opportunity to work on an AI development project. For the first time, I was able to dive into the world of artificial intelligence—an area I had long been curious about.

I collaborated with a small team to enhance the performance and reliability of an AI chatbot, exploring concepts like natural language processing, API integration, and conversational design.

This project helped me appreciate the complexities behind machine learning systems and gave me practical experience in improving an AI tool through iterative testing, user feedback, and data analysis. It also taught me the importance of ethical considerations and user privacy when working with AI-driven technologies.

Throughout both phases of the internship, collaboration remained a central theme. Whether I was coordinating tasks with a development team, brainstorming features with designers, or troubleshooting issues with AI engineers, I consistently improved my interpersonal and project management skills.

These experiences taught me how to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams, adapt to different work styles, and take initiative in solving problems.

In summary, my internship was a comprehensive learning journey that bridged classroom theory with real-world application.

I not only advanced my technical skills in web development and AI integration but also gained valuable insights into teamwork, communication, and the strategic role of IT in business.

This experience has solidified my interest in pursuing a career in technology and has equipped me with the practical skills, mindset, and curiosity needed to continue growing in the field.

Interested in interning?