Feedback from past participants in Haifa ...
Evaldas Vaičiukynas
PhD candidate,
Kaunas Univ. of Technology Kęstutis Dalinkevičius and Evaldas Vaičiukynas are two Lithuanian students working on healthcare projects as part of their internships at IBM Research – Haifa.
Kęstutis, 22, is studying for his B.Sc. at Vilnius University, while Evaldas, 29, is a PhD candidate at the Kaunas University of Technology. A musician, Evaldas loves singing and playing guitar.
Kęstutis Dalinkevičius
B.Sc., Vilnius University He plays djambe and percussion for his band Longitudes as well. In Israel, Evaldas likes the nearby mountains in Mt. Carmel National Park best.
Kęstutis is having a great time in Israel too, visiting the sights and learning more about the country. "Everywhere you look in Israel, you see history," he says. They both feel very fortunate to have been at IBM this summer. As the company expands its involvement in Lithuania, they feel certain that many more students from their eastern European country will seek out internships at IBM Research in the future.
... and in Zurich
“Увлекательно”
Tetiana Levandovska
tatiana.levandovska @ gmail.com
Major: Computer Science and
Intellectual Property,
National Technical University,
Kharkiv
Polytechnic Institute
Past participants of IBM's Great Minds program have gained practical experience and much more during their internships at IBM Research – Zurich. Here is what they have to say about their internship and about IBM Research – Zurich in general, as well
as their tips for future Great Minds applicants.
“The internship is exactly what I believe is perfect for an innovative and dedicated student, especially for a woman,” says Tetiana Levandovska (21). “Women are creative, and research is a field for free thinking, for creativity. The targets are set by mentors, but you don’t get a specification with requirements, you are free to search for a better way of how things should work.”
“Vynikající”
Tomáš Tůma
tom.tuma @ seznam.cz or
uma @ zurich.ibm.com
Major: Computer Science
with special emphasis on
Software Systems,
Charles University, Prague,
Dept of Mathematics and Physics
Our student interns say they especially enjoyed working
with professional researchers in a friendly atmosphere
that gives them the freedom to work in a truly innovative
manner. “I
am getting an understanding of how research works,” continues
Tetiana. “It’s
an excellent experience to pursue research alongside
professionals, and I’m benefiting by learning
about technologies that will help me when the time
comes to write my Master’s thesis. What’s
more, people at IBM Research – Zurich are very smart and interesting.”
Tomáš Tůma (24) agrees, adding that “I’ve had the opportunity to look behind the scenes of research work and to see the everyday course of events.” Asked what is special about IBM Research – Zurich, Tomáš likes “that you can meet with experienced and successful researchers and discuss your work with them. I appreciate the overall friendly atmosphere in the company. In fact, I had the opportunity to return to the IBM Research – Zurich Lab and am currently pursuing my PhD here.”
“Tudás”
István
"Steve" Szombath
orion @ sch.bme.hu
Major: Computer Science
Budapest University of Technology
and Economics
The open-minded corporate culture at IBM Research – Zurich is also something well liked by István
"Steve" Szombath (24), who discovered that “the
cafeteria is a very important place to discuss
work-related issues, whether it’s over
lunch or during coffee or tea breaks.” Steve
applied for IBM’s Great Minds Initiative
because he wanted to test his skills abroad in
a multi-cultural IT company. “My experience
at IBM Research – Zurich has wholly met my expectations,” he
says, and adds “I am gaining professional,
communication and reasoning skills as well as
theoretical knowledge related to my research
field.”
“Неймовірно”
Artem Nikulchenko
nikulchenko @ mail.ru
Major: Computer Mathematics
and Mathematical
Modeling,
National Technical University,
Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute
For Artem Nikulchenko (21), it was
the opportunity for students to work in a real company
on real IT tasks that made the program so appealing. “In
Ukraine,” he explains, “companies and
universities do not work together or benefit from each
other. As a student you can either study theoretically
at a university or you can work in a company, but you
cannot get support from a company for your theoretical
studies, as I’ve experienced here at IBM. That’s
why this combination is a unique opportunity for me.”
Advice to future applicants
We asked our Great Minds students if they had any tips for future applicants, and here’s what they said: “Think about what could be improved in the IT industry, and show that you are dedicated and clever,” advises Steve. “Write a good CV following the KISSS principle: keep it short, simple and serious,” recommends Tetiana. “Write what you really think in your position paper. There are no wrong answers,” councils Artem. “Gain theoretical and practical experience so that your work can really make an effective contribution,” urges Tomáš. And most importantly, all four agree: “Don’t miss this opportunity! IBM Research – Zurich is a great place to acquire and test a wide range of skills and to gain real life experience.”
If you have any questions, contact one of our former Great Minds students.