In summer 2020/2021, Bachelor of Information Technology (Software Development) student Moucheng Mao, moved from Wellington to New Plymouth to take up a role with technology start-up JobHop.
His role was to add a Customer Analytics Package to JobHop's offering. Moucheng helped research and develop the new reporting software, ensuring the latest intelligent data analytics innovations were incorporated into the product.
The internship was made possible with internship funding through Callaghan Innovation's student experience grant, which is facilitated and managed by Venture Taranaki. The grant covers the student intern's salary over 10-weeks, which equates to 400 hours of full-time work per student.
Moucheng found the experience complimented his skills.
"I am enjoying working for a New Zealand company and putting my schoolwork into real work-life experience. Working in a small company has allowed me to experience the full breadth of tasks, which I wouldn't get in a large company,." says Moucheng.
Gordon Heggie, Managing Director, JobHop, recommends the Callaghan Innovation Internship programme. He says:
"The grant has given us an extra pair of hands to move our business forward. Moucheng's fresh approach and knowledge has been valuable,." says Gordon.
"As a software company we are always doing R&D, so having the extra resource takes pressure off our other staff,." he adds.
The project has been a success for everyone involved, and now Taranaki's gained another talented tech professional. JobHop was so happy with his work that once he had completed his internship, they offered him a permanent role.