💼 SSW Internship Experience – From Serendipity to Growth
🛤️ How It All Started
It began with a tram ride in January 2024.
Every day on my way to university, I passed by the SSW Newcastle office. One day, I noticed a sign on their front board:
❗ “Error 404 – Developer Not Found”
It caught my attention. With 8 minutes to spare before my tram, I decided to walk into the office — just to learn more.
Inside, I met Matt (“Wicksy”) and Seth. After a warm welcome, I asked what the company did and how someone like me — with a background in Flutter and mobile development — might fit in.
They explained SSW’s tech stack:
- C# / .NET (backend)
- Angular, React, Next.js (frontend)
- MS SQL Server (database)
While Flutter wasn’t part of their stack, they introduced me to something even more valuable:
FireBootCamp — SSW’s full-stack training program focused on real-world consulting.
They suggested I contact their hiring manager, Penny, and I did — within 10 minutes of leaving the office.
📧 The Power of Persistence
Penny replied that same day — but unfortunately, all internship spots were full.
She explained that junior positions were rare (only 1–2 hires per year), and that I could either wait or consider the paid program.
So I waited. And followed up.
Over the next 12 months, I sent multiple emails — January, mid-year, end-of-year.
Then in January 2025, Penny acknowledged my persistence and encouraged me to try again in March.
This time, I didn’t miss the window.
I emailed again in March — and she said:
“Let’s see what we can do for you.”
I was overjoyed.
🧪 The Entry Challenges
Before officially starting, I had to pass two tests:
- Communication Challenge – to assess clarity, presence, and interaction style
- Coding Challenge – to test programming fundamentals and problem-solving
I completed both successfully and officially joined as an intern in April 2025.
🔥 FireBootCamp at SSW
SSW’s FireBootCamp is a hands-on training program focused on real-world software consulting using:
- 🧱 Angular (Frontend)
- ⚙️ C# / .NET (Backend)
- 🛢️ MS SQL Server & EF Core (Database)
It’s available in two forms:
- 🎓 Paid Program for external learners
- 🧑💻 Internship Program for selected interns (free)
Although I’m not working on live client projects, my work simulates real consulting — including code reviews, demos, Agile ceremonies, and mentorship.
I’m doing the program part-time (3 days/week) while supporting myself through part-time work.
This extends the 12-week program to ~20 weeks, with an expected completion in September 2025.
📅 Daily Life as an Intern
👥 Mentorship & Onboarding
On Day 1, I was welcomed by Toby, my induction buddy.
He sat beside me, answered every question, and reviewed all my emails using SSW’s “Checked By” system — a mentorship-driven feedback loop.
📞 Call in 5
SSW uses a unique “Call in 5” culture — you can message and video call anyone across the company, including:
- 🧠 Chief Architect & Founder Adam
- 👨💼 General Manager & COO Uly
- 🧑💻 Senior developers and managers
- 📊 Accountants, PMs, and support staff
Even as an intern, my voice matters. I’ve reported bugs, suggested ideas, and received thoughtful, encouraging responses.
💖 People & Culture – The Real Magic
What makes SSW special is not just the tech stack — it’s the people.
- Suzanne vouched for me to attend the SlashNew Conference as SSW team member, where SSW was a sponsor. Thanks to her, I attended the SlashNew and got discounted tickets.
- Caleb, Anton & Seth are always helpful and supportive.
- Matt sometimes brings his dog Poppy to the office. I was scared on day one — now we’re best friends! She rolls over for belly rubs every time she sees me.
- Lunchtimes are moments of shared laughter and human connection.
👨💼 Adam - The Supreme Leader
Adam Cogan, the Chief Architect, Founder, and driving force behind SSW, is someone I deeply admire. The company exists because of his vision, and it’s been a privilege to learn from someone so experienced, approachable, and people-focused.
Adam is a true extrovert — always open to sharing insights, offering honest feedback, and lifting people up.
Every meeting I’ve had with him, whether over Teams or in person, has been a learning experience:
- He goes through things step by step, patiently helping improve my communication, technical thinking, and professional presence.
- He encourages observations, welcomes questions, and offers constructive critique with warmth and humor.
- He is very busy but still finds time to connect with interns like me, making us feel valued.
🤩 Uly — COO & Salsa Dancer
Uly, our Chief Operating Officer, is a joy to be around.
He’s fun, friendly, and full of jokes — and also teaches salsa dancing!
Meeting him at SlashNew was the best part of the conference.
👩 Marina — The Heart of the Office
Marina, our Office Manager, is the kindest person I’ve met.
She cares deeply about everyone — I call her my “Australian mother.”
🧠 Learning = Therapy
Working with mentors like Luke and Isaac has been transformational.
Luke, who manages the internship program, also works on client projects and teaches like a pro. Every time he reviews my code or explains a concept, I’ve told him:
“It feels like therapy — the clarity and care you bring into every explanation.”
📝 Key Takeaways (So Far)
- 💻 Learned Angular, .NET, and EF Core from scratch
- 🧑🤝🧑 Experienced real Agile rituals: standups, sprint planning, retros
- 📞 Spoke with engineers, managers, and executives — and was heard
- 🍱 Enjoyed free Friday lunches, fun office moments, and mentorship
- 🧭 Found a sense of belonging and purpose in tech
🧡 Final Reflection
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
It’s all about the people.
SSW has shown me that being a software developer is more than just code — it’s about empathy, communication, and culture.
I’m grateful for every day I’ve spent here.
Here’s to the rest of the journey.