Druid’s ongoing partnership with Business College Helsinki

Druid is once again partnering with Business College Helsinki (BCH) for their Fullstack Development Program, something they’ve done before in 2022 and 2019. In fact, that’s how I first heard about the company. I was part of the 2021 cohort of students and knowing Druid’s connection to the program, I reached out and landed a summer internship. Afterward, I was lucky enough to be hired full-time. Since then, I’ve seen Druid continue to welcome interns from each new group and hire several of them as well.

Because I was once in the same position as these interns, it felt natural for me to help them. I remember how valuable it was to have someone show me the ropes when I started. That’s what motivated me to step into a mentorship role. I consider myself an Apprentice Initiator as I guide interns and junior developers at the start of their careers. I help new team members integrate into the company culture, remove blockers, and provide technical advice. I also mentor them to support their professional growth and check in regularly to assess their progress and well-being.

Real Projects and Practical Experience

At Druid, interns and junior developers typically join the Magical Support team. Our projects are in the maintenance phase, and the team is responsible for keeping projects secure and up to date, as well as handling any further development tasks requested by the client. It’s a great starting point for new developers because it provides a controlled environment where they can learn the ropes while contributing to real tasks from day one. This allows them to explore and grow their skills without the pressure of a fast-paced development cycle.

In early October, I returned to BCH to give a workshop on Drupal as part of Druid’s ongoing collaboration with the program. The workshop was scheduled to align with the start of the students’ year-end project, which was kicking off in two weeks—a decoupled application using Drupal and React. I put together the workshop with feedback from my colleagues who had also been interns and students in the same program, focusing on the things we wish we’d known when we were students. I covered practical tips and walked them through how our team collaborates on projects.

Supporting New Careers in Tech

Once the project wraps up, we’ll offer internship opportunities starting in January. This time, we have an experienced mentor who recently shared her knowledge at DrupalCon Barcelona, so the students will have even more resources and support.

Looking back, it’s amazing to think that I was once in the students’ shoes, and now, I’m part of a company that continues to give opportunities to new talent. It’s even more rewarding to know that I can play a role in helping aspiring developers as they start their own journeys.