19 July 2023
At Fizyr, our mission is to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of machine learning and automation, and we believe in nurturing and empowering young talent to achieve their full potential. Today, we’re thrilled to share the inspiring story of one of our former interns, Nils van der Velden, who has successfully transitioned into a full-time role at our company. Join us as we delve into his experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations during his internship at Fizyr.
The journey began when Nils found Fizyr while exploring internship opportunities at companies that combined his passions for software engineering and machine learning. Drawn to the work we do in his precise fields of interest, Nils was eager to further explore opportunities with Fiyr — and the rest is history.
During his internship, Nils worked on a groundbreaking project involving object detection software. He took the initiative to create a method of synthetically generating annotated images for algorithm training purposes. By constructing virtual scenes and placing objects within them, Nils devised a pipeline that could produce realistic and reliable synthetic data. This achievement not only showcased his technical prowess but also represented a significant milestone for Fizyr’s research and development efforts.
At Fizyr, collaboration is key, and Nils had the opportunity to experience this first hand when he worked closely with various team members and departments. A colleague from the Computer Vision team provided guidance on code optimization and creating more shareable pieces of code. Our Fizyr Innovation Manager helped Nils with project structuring and organization, while another Computer Vision colleague imparted invaluable knowledge on training machine learning algorithms. This collaborative environment fostered an atmosphere of growth and learning, enabling Nils to broaden his skill set and develop a deeper understanding of his field.
Coming into the internship, Nils’ primary goal was to unlock the secrets of synthetic data generation — a novel and challenging concept. As his internship progressed, he embraced the fluidity of his role, which blended elements of research and development. This allowed Nils to approach his work with a prototyping mindset, which in turn led to breakthroughs and multiple successful prototypes. His evolving goals aligned harmoniously with Fizyr’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.
Throughout his internship, Nils experienced notable moments that fueled his determination and ambition in the field of machine learning. The completion of each prototype served as a stepping stone toward the final product, bringing him closer to achieving his vision. These milestones highlighted Nils’ perseverance and ability to navigate uncharted territories, solidifying his sense of pride and accomplishment.
When asked about advice for future interns joining Fizyr, Nils emphasized the importance of proactivity and problem solving. He encourages interns to think independently and contribute their ideas, even when they’re just starting out. While the journey may be challenging, Fizyr provides a supportive environment where questions are welcomed and everyone is eager to help, as we aim to foster an environment of support and innovation. Nils’ advice serves as a testament to the collaborative and nurturing culture within our company, enabling interns to thrive and reach their full potential.
As the interview came to a close, Nils was pleased to share that his next career step is that of a full-time role as a Database Engineer at Fizyr. His internship experience provided him with invaluable insights into machine learning and solidified his passion for the field. Armed with newfound skills and knowledge, Nils is ready to contribute to Fizy’s groundbreaking projects and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of robotics.
Nils’ journey from intern to full-time employee at Fizyr showcases the transformative power of an immersive and supportive internship experience. Through his innovative project, collaboration with talented colleagues, and a commitment to self-driven growth, Nils exemplifies firsthand the qualities that Fizyr values in its interns. As Fizyr continues to redefine the boundaries of machine learning and automation within the supply chain industry, we look forward to witnessing the remarkable contributions that emerging talent like Nils will make in shaping the future of this line of work.
Want to get in contact with Nils? Reach out to him via LinkedIn.
