This summer, all positions in the Connections internship programs, both in software and in HR, were filled by young people from diverse backgrounds, technical and non-technical alike. They all chose to begin their professional journey in a dynamic environment where learning, collaboration, and personal growth are true values. Recently, we got to know them better and asked a few simple questions about who they are, what they’re passionate about, and what they aim to achieve through this first step in their careers.
So…
Who are the Connections interns?
If you ask each of them, you’ll discover unique perspectives shaped by personal styles, passions, and new stories that are now part of Connections collective history.
For example, Sebastian Ionel is passionate about programming and video games. In high school, he discovered his love for IT, and since then, he has aimed to become a Full Stack Developer. He chose to join the Connections internship for the opportunity to work on projects with real impact and to learn directly from experienced professionals. He describes the team as “friendly, calm, and fun,” and if he were to turn this experience into a movie, it would be an inspirational comedy in which his colleague, Cătălin Pârcioagă, plays the role of the charismatic mentor.
At the same time, Carla Bălan, a graduate of the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and soon-to-be master’s student, joined the internship with the desire to apply what she has learned and strengthen her technical skills. Passionate about sports and detective novels, she is professionally drawn to the field of automation. She sees the Connections team “open, collaborative, and motivating,” and she believes that the lead roles in this experience are played by all her colleagues together, especially when challenges arise and are solved with lots of coffee and good energy.
Andreea Teodora Diaconu, a student at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers, was fascinated by programming ever since childhood, inspired by movies about technology. For her first internship, she sought a friendly environment and found exactly that: “a welcoming, hardworking, and at the same time relaxed team,” as she describes it. She aims to explore various directions in IT, seeing this stage as a valuable opportunity to discover what truly excites her before clearly defining her professional path.
Adrian Diaconița, also a student at the Faculty of Automatic Control and Computers, recalls precisely the moment when his passion for programming began: creating a game in Pascal with his cousin. Today, he wants to contribute to products that reach the market and to grow in Software Development. The internship has given him exactly what he was looking for: a practical project, a young team, and colleagues willing to guide him along the way.
With studies in Computer Science and Automation, Mihai-Cristian Strejaru is passionate about AI and technologies that can bring concrete improvements to people’s lives. In his free time, he reads philosophy, plays sports, and appreciates authentic interactions with the team. He sees the internship as an intense experience, in a friendly, sometimes “busy” but constructive environment.
From another corner of the office comes the energy of Ada Cornea, an intern in the HR department. With a diverse background and a growing interest in Recruitment and People & Culture, Ada joined Connections to take her first real steps in Human Resources. Her passion for HR developed over time, shaped by recommendations and interviews that helped her understand a recruiter’s role. Her varied experience showed her how much she enjoys interacting with people, finding solutions, and helping others. She wants to gain a deeper understanding of recruitment processes and organizational culture, in an environment where she can ask questions and learn by doing. She describes the team as “friendly, relaxed, and very open to feedback.”
After learning the stories of those just starting out at Connections and discovering their motivations, aspirations, and perspectives, we wanted to offer them some extra support through advice from the colleagues who guide them every day; valuable recommendations for any junior in the midst of professional exploration.
From the software team, Cătălin Pârcioagă, Technical Delivery Manager at Connections, encourages newcomers to keep alive the passion and curiosity that brought them here:
“Keep alive the passion and curiosity that led you to this point. Value the bond with your fellow interns as they are the ones who understand you best and support you in every challenge. And most importantly, always seek opportunities that allow you to grow both personally and professionally.”
From the HR team, Mădălina Andreea Ana, Recruitment Team Leader at Connections, advises those at the start of their journey to embrace their growth with confidence and curiosity:
“Turn every opportunity into a learning process, ask questions, and stay curious. Small efforts, repeated consistently, will lead to great results. Test your potential in environments where you feel valued, with open communication and support. And most importantly, don’t forget: ‘The expert in anything was once a beginner.’ (Helen Hayes)”
Internships represent an essential stage in young people’s professional development, giving them the chance to explore the industry and discover their true potential. With a well-structured program and constant support from the team, they can learn, adapt, and grow—taking an important step toward the career they aspire to.
What have we learned together?
Internship programs are not just a way to integrate young people into the industry, they also reflect the organization itself. They give us a clear perspective on our ability to communicate effectively, to actively listen to the needs and questions of those at the start of their journey, and to provide continuous support throughout the learning process. Moreover, these programs challenge us to be flexible and to adapt our methods and attitudes to create a truly inclusive and stimulating environment. In such an environment, each intern can discover their potential and grow in harmony with the organization’s values and objectives.
For the Connections team, this generation of interns is proof that motivation, when supported by a healthy environment, can truly accelerate the learning process. Our colleagues in the internship programs have quickly demonstrated their ability to adapt, collaborate, and take on responsibility, essential skills in a constantly changing field.
Looking ahead, for many of them, the internship was just the beginning. For us, each of these young people represents a valuable investment in the future of the industry. We will continue to create opportunities for applied learning, develop relevant programs, and strengthen the connection between academic field and professional reality.
In an industry where technical skills are fundamental, but not sufficient, we are convinced that a people-centered approach, openness, and the continuous desire to learn remain the most solid foundations for a successful and sustainable professional journey.