Gracie Diabo
As a QA intern in the Content Creation department within Entertainment & Media Solutions (EMS), I’m a Foundation team member who works on multiple EMS products, mainly focusing on 3ds Max test automation. Since my internship started, I’ve learned basic MAXScript and Squish, a testing automation software, in addition to learning team dynamics and Agile methods and workflows. I have fixed failing tests, created new tests, and am automating tests that are currently manually tested to help the other QAs’ time management in future testing before product releases!
The best parts about my internship are having the creative liberty to create new tests, having learned new skills (like Squish) and being able to understand what I’m testing, the feeling of success after overcoming blocks in my work, and the overall contribution to the team’s workflow. My role is unique because, as the only QA intern at the Montreal office and within EMS, I’ve had the ability to learn entirely new software and workflows that come with testing/QA, which is a different experience than my peers who are developers.
I’m grateful to have this experience so, moving forward, I can have a more well-rounded understanding of how teams like mine function.
Inspiring the next generation
I was born and raised in Kahnawake Mohawk Territory, just south of Montreal. Being Mohawk is a huge part of my identity, and much of my journey so far has been accredited to the support of my community, as well as the urge to uplift the youth and upcoming generations to show them what is possible. My community has few engineers, and only now is it becoming more common for people to go to college and enter STEM. I try to share my involvement as much as possible to make people in my community aware of the amazing opportunities that are available – like working at Autodesk!
I also share on social media about the events I participate in and opportunities I receive so organizations like our local education center or other community members can share. I was the manager of an entrepreneurial teen summer program in my community for two summers, where I created lessons on teamwork, professionalism, and customer service, among others, for the teens who then went out and got their first work experience at a business in the community before embarking on their own self-run (with my help) business venture as a group: a three-day barbeque and carwash. The experience of working closely with youth was inspiring and impactful. It was a full-circle moment as I was once a participant when I was younger, and this made me want to continue sharing whatever I do so they can see what is possible!
From learning collaboration and teamwork by participating in team sports for many years to creating my own club for Indigenous students in CEGEP (pre-university in Quebec) and being on my student union’s executive team, I think it’s so important to be present in places and share my voice and that of my people where it has traditionally been missing.
Fostering connections through community and culture
I’m very happy to be involved with a lot of the activities at the Autodesk Montreal office and within the organization. For example, earlier this year, Montreal office volunteers spent the afternoon a short walk away at the Lachine Canal picking up trash to keep the shores a bit cleaner! Along with doing a good deed, it was a moment for the interns to bond and appreciate that Autodesk allows volunteer opportunities like this for their employees – even interns.
I’ve been able to make great connections through regular get-togethers with my intern pod, composed of interns across the United States and Canada. I’ve also participated in multiple boxing classes offered for the interns by one of our internship managers in Montreal, which is another great healthy bonding activity. Additionally, I’ve happily participated in events like a “paint and pot” flowerpot painting activity with Autodesk Women’s Network, and I’m currently planning an event with Autodesk Indigenous Network at the Montreal office to learn the basics of beading by learning to bead an orange shirt pin, which commemorates Orange Shirt Day/ National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
An Autodesk internship can shape your future
Autodesk’s internship program sets us up to succeed and integrates us in every way into the company, so we really feel welcomed and that we are making an impact. I’m on a team that is very collaborative and receptive to helping me learn; they take the time to listen to me. My work feels meaningful, and I can see that it will have an impact on the other employees and the product, which is uplifting. I’m incredibly grateful to have a mentor who guides me on my tasks and helps me integrate with the team.
What I appreciate most is the community and culture. I’ve become friends with the other interns and met diverse people in my intern pod. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in activities with various employee resource groups, attend speaker series and explore the office, as well as have the opportunity to showcase my work at the end of my internship! I truly feel welcome to be myself here.
If I could offer any advice to someone interested in an Autodesk internship, it would be to look into the company and learn about the products and how they’ve contributed to real-life things (like popular movies and video games using EMS products, for example). Create connections between your passions and values and those of Autodesk. Reach out to past interns and ask many questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Bring a good mind, be hardworking, and get involved in school life! Extracurricular experience is invaluable and will help you with internships in ways you may not even realize. Be your true self and that will guide you to success at Autodesk.
Learn more about Autodesk internships and early career opportunities here.