“Congratulations SG Team”
My journey with Schneider Electric began when I decided to step out of my comfort zone and participate in the Schneider Go Green Country Finals in Singapore. There, I joined forces with two other driven individuals – Wilfred and Jia Min, whom I met through the competition portal.
During the Schneider Go Green competition, our objective was to create a solution that encourages building occupants to minimize their carbon footprint through technology.
Through constant collaboration, we offered each other mutual support and inspiration throughout the competition, leading to the creation of a compelling mock-up to showcase our concepts. Our dedication yielded success as we secured the top position, winning a cash prize, an internship with Schneider Electric, and the chance to compete against other East Asian countries in the Regional Finals.
As we prepared for the Regional Finals, Mr. Aditya, a prominent leader within Schneider Electric, graciously offered mentorship to refine our ideas and enhance our presentation skills. Much to our delight, our efforts culminated in another victory at the Schneider Go Green Regional Finals, earning us a fully sponsored trip to Paris!
My software development internship
During my internship at Schneider Electric, I worked with microcontrollers and developed debugging tools to enhance the team’s processes. I was given significant autonomy, which allowed me to expand my creativity and direct my tasks according to my vision, with guidance from my supervisors and team that I am extremely grateful for.
One notable project was the development of a network packet replay tool that simulates communication between a microcontroller and a computer using a snapshot of their interaction. This required intensive research into network protocols and new technologies. The autonomy allowed me to shape the project from start to finish, including proposing and implementing a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that I envisioned from the beginning.
I regularly reported my progress during Scrum meetings, updating my supervisor and the team on my status and outlining my next steps. Their essential feedback and assistance in overcoming any blocking points further enriched my learning experience.
A significant lesson that I learned through my internship projects was the importance of recognizing and valuing small, incremental progress.
Initially, I felt driven to achieve the end goal quickly, which sometimes meant that I was impatient, and thus led to discouragement when progress seemed slow. In retrospect, however, I realized that each day, I was making meaningful contributions, and these small, consistent efforts were crucial to reaching the ultimate objective. This taught me to appreciate and celebrate the incremental steps that lead to successful project completion.
Beyond the work-related aspects of my internship, I engaged in extracurricular activities such as participating in the well-being recreation club (sports pillar) and organizing activities for colleagues. I also completed a 2XU half-marathon with partial sponsorship from Schneider Electric. Additionally, I formed friendships with fellow interns, cultivated valuable relationships with colleagues, and frequently socialized over meals.
The long-awaited Paris trip
In April, I was thrilled to travel to Paris! As regional winners of the Schneider Go Green competition, Schneider Electric sponsored our flight tickets, hotel accommodations, meals, and transportation. During our visit, we had the opportunity to explore iconic locations such as Versailles Palace, and we even enjoyed a memorable dinner cruise experience.
Additionally, we received invitations to attend Schneider Electric’s events, such as the Schneider Electric Paris Innovation Summit 2024, a visit to Schneider Electric’s headquarters, and the Paris Marathon 2024.
Paris Innovation Summit
The Innovation Summit was an incredible gathering of industry experts and professionals, offering not only engaging strategy talks but also valuable networking opportunities. The event offered a variety of sessions catering to everyone’s interests, all of which were available for registration.
During the summit, Schneider Go Green winners were introduced to Schneider Electric’s company culture through discussions led by its employees, delving into the company’s IMPACT values: Inclusivity, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork. This was exemplified through the inspiring journey of Schneider Electric employee, Emiliana Martinez. For example, the company fosters Curiosity by providing avenues for employees to propose and assume diverse roles, and Martinez had the opportunity to explore various experiences to discover the role that resonated with her the most.
As an intern, I strongly connect with the value of Purpose, as I have always pursued a career that makes a positive impact on people’s lives. At Schneider Electric, I witness a genuine commitment to transforming the world towards sustainability, aligning with our forward-thinking vision.
Paris Marathon 2024
We were treated to a feast while enjoying the spectacle of one of the world’s largest marathons, sponsored by Schneider Electric, from the VIP lounge. As a passionate runner, witnessing elite athletes complete a 42km distance in just 2 hours was truly inspiring! The marathon also exemplified vital values of philanthropy and inclusiveness, generating an impressive 681,644 euros for charitable endeavors and organizing a French handisport marathon.
Company visit
Touring the headquarters in Paris proved to be an amazing experience, particularly witnessing the products my team is involved with being exhibited in the showroom. It served as a powerful reminder that even the modest impact of my internship, such as crafting debugging tools to improve debugging and maintenance processes, contributed to the advancement of the featured products.
A significant realization I made is that Schneider Electric consistently incorporates circularity into their product and service designs. Simple practices like repurposing old module cases and creating modules for easy reusability can notably diminish a company’s carbon footprint. Furthermore, we were introduced to a variety of products spanning different industries, including data centers, industrial automation equipment, and household appliances.
This highlighted Schneider Electric’s extensive influence across diverse sectors, underscoring the broad spectrum of business opportunities underpinned by sustainability at the heart of its operations.
Being part of the Schneider Electric family, both through Schneider Go Green and my internship still feels surreal.
Reflecting on my journey, I’ve distilled three key takeaways:
- Never Underestimate Incremental Progress: The journey taught me the profound impact of consistent, incremental progress. Each small step contributes significantly to the larger goal.
- Sustainability creates a World of Opportunities: Schneider Electric’s success illustrates the abundance of opportunities within sustainability. Through partnerships and initiatives, the company showcases how sustainability can drive remarkable achievements.
- The Power of Global Collaboration: Global collaboration, through dialogue and action, is pivotal in driving substantial change. Every individual’s contribution, no matter how small, contributes to this transformative process.
In closing, I extend a heartfelt thank you to all the readers and everyone I’ve encountered during my time at Schneider Electric.
Thank you, and until we meet again, Schneider Electric.
Feeling inspired?
Register for the Schneider Go Green student competition today and be a part of the movement towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for all! Or if you are interested in taking the next step in your career journey with us at Schneider Electric, sign up to our talent community to stay updated on new openings and insights.
About the author
Yap Shen Hwei
Yap Shen Hwei, a Year 4 Computer Science student at Nanyang Technological University, is presently a Software Development intern at Schneider Electric Singapore. Her journey began with a victory at the Schneider Schneider Go Green Country and Regional Finals. She is a strong advocate for lifelong learning and finds joy in programming, reading, and cross-country running!
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