
Internships play a crucial role in the professional development of students, offering invaluable benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. These hands-on experiences provide students with an opportunity to bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing them to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Additionally, by giving students a chance to work alongside industry professionals and gain insights into industry trends, technologies, and best practices, internships serve as a bridge between academic learning and professional employment. They equip students with the necessary skills, experience, connections, and knowledge to seamlessly transition into the workforce. Historically, HPCC Systems has been an advocate of the value brought by internship opportunities and has supported numerous students around the globe in initiating their professional careers.
But although internships are often hailed as the bridge between academic learning and professional work, what makes them truly transformative? To answer this question, we turn to the experiences of five former interns from our community, who are now thriving full-time employees at RELX and joined us in a panel during the 2024 HPCC Systems Community Summit. Moderated by George Foreman, Business Analyst at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, their panel discussion highlighted the pivotal role of internships in fostering professional growth, innovation, and long-term career success within a supportive corporate environment, providing invaluable insights for students seeking to maximize the value of internships and prepare for successful careers.
Meet the panelists:





Yash Mishra
Class of 2020
Site Reliability Engineer III
Clemson University
Chris Connelly
Class of 2020/2021
Software Engineer III
North Carolina State University
Nathalia Ribas
Class of 2022
Software Engineer I
Federal University of Santa Catarina
Jack Del Vecchio
Class of 2022
Software Engineer II
Miami University of Ohio
Fulvio Favilla Filho
Class of 2023
Software Engineer I
University of São Paulo
Next, this blog covers the key highlights and insights provided by the panelists. You can also watch the full recording of the panel discussion on the HPCC Systems YouTube channel.
Why Internships Matter
For many students, internships represent their first encounter with the professional world. The panelists—Yash Mishra, Nathalia Ribas, Chris Connelly, Jack Del Vecchio, and Fulvio Favilla Filho—shared how their internships shaped their career paths. Each intern brought a unique story, but common themes emerged, highlighting the critical role of internships in skill-building, networking, and professional development.
Jack recalled how a high-performance computing course in college introduced him to the opportunity. “The professor was a previous LexisNexis employee […] he suggested the internship and I started looking through the projects and the application process, it was all really attractive to me and I loved it ever since that.” Similarly, Fulvio was drawn to the program to enhance his experience with big data, noting, “I was impressed by how much the company valued and supported interns.”
Surpassing Expectations
A recurring sentiment among the panelists was how their internships exceeded expectations. Yash described working alongside industry professionals as a “fruitful experience” that opened his eyes to the differences between academia and the corporate world. Chris added, “It was definitely very welcoming and very supportive […] nobody hesitated to provide any value that they could to help me along.”
This supportive atmosphere stood out across the board. Whether through mentorship, collaborative projects, or access to cutting-edge tools, the interns were treated as integral team members in their groups.
From Intern to Full-Time Employee
Transitioning from an intern to a full-time employee is a critical step, and for these panelists, the internship served as a springboard. Nathalia emphasized how the program influenced her decision to join RELX full-time. “I learned a lot about the company and enjoyed the team environment, so it strongly influenced my decision to join RELX full-time.”
Jack echoed this sentiment, crediting his mentor for advocating on his behalf. “My mentor […] was always a great resource for me and he was actually the one who was my biggest advocate for finding a position […] so being able to continue working with him and continue learning from him played a role in my decision to join full-time.”
For Fulvio, the transition was swift. “My internship ended in December, and by January, I was offered a full-time role. The experience made me confident in continuing my journey with RELX.”
Gaining Responsibility
One of the most striking differences between being an intern and a full-time employee, as Yash pointed out, is the scope of responsibility. “As an intern, you are dedicated to working on a project […] whereas as a full-time employee, you are wearing a multitude of hats […] and getting an overall corporate understanding of how the company works.”
Fulvio agreed, noting that the increased decision-making power was both challenging and rewarding. The transition was seamless, thanks to the foundational knowledge gained during the internship.
How Internships Prepare You for Success
The skills acquired during an internship often serve as the building blocks for a successful career. For Jack, developing a MongoDB plugin during his internship was a game-changer. “In school and classes, I just worked on small projects and little bits of code but this was my first chance to be a contributor part of a larger project and see the full development life cycle.”
Chris, who worked on data analytics projects, highlighted the value of hands-on experience with real-world tools. “It helped me build a better skill set […] so I think now that has really helped me be able to […] work on certain projects and make sure that we are covering all the bases.”
Advice for Future Interns
When asked to share advice for students hoping to secure internships or full-time positions, the panelists offered practical and heartfelt guidance:
- Be Curious: Fulvio and Chris emphasized the importance of curiosity and hard work. “Just be curious and show that you want to work hard on solving problems that are involved with your project. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
- Share Your Ideas: Nathalia encouraged students not to hold back their opinions. “Don’t be afraid to share your opinions and ideas for future implementations, all ideas are valid.”
- Build Relationships: Jack advised leveraging mentorship and team connections. “Let them know your interests and what you liked about your project and they may be able to find you positions that correlate to those.”
- Seek Visibility: Yash suggested presenting at tech summits or conferences to connect with industry professionals. “It’s a great way to connect your work with a large audience […] and can help you network on a more professional level.”
Building Professional Relationships
The panelists unanimously agreed on the importance of networking. Yash recommended starting with your mentor and program manager and then expanding outward. “Start with your mentor and program manager and do a self-reflection of […] what skills you want to develop and where you want to be in the next few years and reach out to individuals who are along those lines of the technology or the business.”
Chris highlighted the collaborative culture at RELX, where employees are eager to connect and help. “Everyone was always willing to help and to answer any questions or take some time to chat whenever I needed anything.”
The Right Place for Career Growth
For many, internships are a testing ground to determine whether a company aligns with their values and career aspirations. Nathalia appreciated the emphasis on continuous learning. “I could see […] an encouragement to develop both soft and hard skills at the company […] this is really important to me so it showed me that this was the right place for my career.”
Fulvio pointed to a key moment during his internship: presenting at the HPCC Systems Poster Contest. “It was the most rewarding experience of my internship so that was a key moment.”
For Jack, the realization came when his work became part of the company’s platform. “Being able to produce something that is useful to the people and be able to leave it behind for the community was probably one of the highlights of my project.”
Final Thoughts
Internships are more than just resume boosters—they are transformative experiences that can set the stage for a fulfilling career. As these panelists demonstrated, a successful internship provides not only technical skills but also professional confidence, mentorship, and a clear sense of direction. For students considering internships, the key takeaway is this: immerse yourself fully, build meaningful relationships, and seize every opportunity to learn and contribute. The path from internship to impact is one of growth, discovery, and, ultimately, success.