Amia Combs knew little to nothing about the corporate world when she joined as Software Engineer Intern in the summer of 2020. Now a Project Manager Intern in her third summer at Oracle, Amia reflects on her internship experience—and what she gained from coming back.
Product Management Intern
Finding her footing
“I had no idea what I was stepping into when I started at Oracle,” Amia admits. At the start of her internship, she struggled with nervousness and imposter syndrome. But it wasn’t long before she found team members who reassured her as she navigated that first summer. Three years later, Amia maintains that the culture of support is still going strong. “It’s what surprised me most about working at this company. Everyone I’ve spoken to since I started has been a tremendous help.”
An unexpected opportunity
Though it took time for Amia to familiarize herself with her new work environment, there was one thing she was certain of from the beginning: her commitment to becoming a software engineer. It was the only career path she’d ever considered and the reason she’d chosen to intern at Oracle in the first place.
After Amia’s first summer, however, her manager proposed another opportunity. “Because of the skills I presented, my manager suggested the option of becoming a Project Manager,” Amia shares. “The recruiting team helped place me on the team I’m with now, and I can’t thank God enough for giving me the opportunity. I love working within Product Management.”
A bright future
This summer marks Amia’s final summer internship, and she has big plans for the future. Soon, she’ll graduate from Florida A&M University with a degree in computer science and a minor in business administration. After that, she plans to join Oracle as a full-time employee in Product Management or Software Engineering. “I’ve truly partaken in every one of the three summers working with Oracle, and I want nothing more than to return.”
She’s also excited about the future of Oracle, particularly when it comes to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. “It’s exciting to see others who look like me, especially those higher up the chain!”
What should new interns know?
The most important insight that Amia has to offer new interns is simple: believe in yourself. “Coming in with imposter syndrome is normal for any intern, but I had to understand that I was in my position at Oracle for a reason. They chose me, so I need to show them exactly why I was the chosen one.”
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