As an undergraduate student, the idea of stepping out into the real world is both thrilling and terrifying. From my 1st Year at University, I grew fond of the idea of doing an Industrial Placement, to gain real-world experience before graduating. I was therefore beyond excited when PQShield offered me the opportunity to learn and work alongside them.
My name is Charis Charalambous, I am 21, and I am currently pursuing my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at Newcastle University. I am currently half-way through my Placement and I have already surpassed any expectations I had for myself from this internship.
Working in the Software Development Team, which is part of the Engineering Department, has been an invaluable experience so far. I’ve been involved in projects including ‘Producing Cryptographic Benchmarks for Post-Quantum Algorithms on Embedded Devices’. There were of course times where this has been challenging work, but undoubtedly always rewarding.
A typical placement day for me involves various activities. I work from the Oxford Office where I am based, which is also the Headquarters of PQShield. I like to arrive a bit early as there is always a free breakfast at the office I like to take advantage of! After that I kick off my day, which, depending on priorities, can include meetings with my Mentors (which are current Software and Firmware Engineers), my Project Manager, my Team Manager or other engineers who help with the project that I am working on. However, my day mostly revolves around project work, and hands-on problem-solving. I also get an hour break everyday where I take my lunch with colleagues and not to mention that many times my lunch is kindly paid for by PQShield as well! We are certainly well looked after here.
I’ve developed skills in the C programming language, Git, Linux Systems, Embedded Development, CI/CD, and Software Development Cycle Practices. I have definitely improved my communication and time management abilities. One of the highlights so far has been setting up our own PC with a Cortex-M platform and establishing a CI. While there have been challenges, I cannot point out enough the immense support from my mentors who have helped me all throughout the process.
Outside of work, I am a massive fan of outdoor activities. I enjoy mountain biking, hiking, running, and Scuba Diving. With a few months left in my placement, I’m excited to keep learning and growing. I am extremely grateful to all the people in PQShield who support me and truly treat me as part of the team. PQShield’s greatest asset is its people!
To all of my fellow students, if you’re considering doing a placement, I would unquestionably recommend it. It’s a fantastic way to bridge the gap between university and the professional world. Needless to say, working at PQShield is a great experience as a whole and I look forward to furthering my learning experiences during my time here – whilst having fun along the way!