Meet our intern Silke

Since 1 September, Prospact has temporarily welcomed a new Process Translator to the team: Silke Balk. The 20-year-old Electrical Engineering student is completing a 20-week internship with us, giving her the opportunity to experience industrial automation in practice. And rather than simply observing, she will be working on a real client project herself.

In this interview, Silke introduces herself and talks about her studies, internship assignment and first experiences at Prospact.

Specialising in Industrial Automation

Silke lives in Den Bosch, where she is studying for a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering at Avans University of Applied Sciences, specialising in industrial automation. She is currently in the third year of her degree programme, which starts with a 20-week internship. Since 1 September, she has been completing that internship at Prospact.

During her internship, Silke has the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during her studies directly in practice. She will be working on a real Prospact client project, which also serves as her internship assignment for university. This means she will be involved in several stages of the project: from preparation and reviewing the documentation provided to eventually writing the software.

“I've already worked extensively with Siemens during my studies. The system I'm working with at Prospact is new to me, but a lot of it is familiar from what I've learned before.” To gain a deeper understanding of the system, Silke started her internship with a Siemens PCS 7 training course, focusing on a software platform widely used within Prospact. This allows her to build on the technical foundation she has already developed during her studies.

During her internship, Silke is working on a client project. She explains: “I started by reviewing the documentation provided and preparing the project. Later on, I'll also be writing the software.”

Silke has already had the opportunity to see the practical side of the project. Together with Bastiaan, she visited the client to see the environment and the machine she will be working on first-hand. “That was really helpful. I was given a tour and got to see the machine I'll eventually be working on. It immediately gives you a much better understanding of what you're actually creating behind your computer.”

It is precisely this combination of technology and hands-on experience that makes the internship so interesting for Silke. While her degree programme focuses heavily on the technical side, her time at Prospact also gives her insight into everything involved in delivering a project.

“I'm learning how the process with a client works, how a project is discussed and what kind of agreements need to be made. So I'm not only learning how to develop software, but also how working with a client actually works in practice.”

Silke works largely independently on her assignment during her internship, but she certainly does not have to do everything on her own. Louis is her internship supervisor and also works in the same office.

“I can go to Louis with questions about my internship as well as the systems I'm working with. We try to catch up a few times a week to discuss how things are going. And if I have any questions, I can always ask other colleagues as well. Everyone has their own knowledge and experience.”

Silke also works with several Process Translators on the client project. Some colleagues handle communication with the client, while she regularly discusses progress with the project team.

Silke: “I really like the atmosphere at Prospact. It quickly felt familiar, and I feel like I can approach anyone if I have a question. By now, I've got to know pretty much everyone in the office.”

Silke works 40 hours a week during her internship and prefers to work from the office. “Working from home is an option, but I like being in the office. You simply pick up more of what's going on around you.”

By the end of her internship, Silke hopes above all to look back on a successfully completed client project. “Of course, I hope to complete the project successfully and that the client is happy with the result. I also want to have broadened my knowledge. I'd like to develop a deeper understanding of the software platform, but also learn more about the processes surrounding a project and working with a client.”

After her internship, Silke will continue working towards completing her bachelor's degree. Afterwards, she hopes to start her career in the field and further specialise in software development. “I hope to keep developing myself so that, in the future, I can create great solutions at a company that's a good fit for me.”

Outside university and her internship, Silke enjoys spending time with friends. She also likes to cook. “I really enjoy cooking. I don't always have time for it, but when I do, I love taking the time to prepare a proper meal.”

For now, the coming months will mainly revolve around her client project, Siemens PCS 7 and gaining plenty of new hands-on experience.

We wish you every success and, above all, an enjoyable internship with the Process Translators, Silke!

Has Silke's story piqued your interest, and would you like to be an intern at Prospact? Then take a look or contact us. We would love to talk to you.