Starting my CGI journey

When I joined CGI as an intern in the Melbourne office, I was keen to apply my university learning to a real project. As a fourth-year student studying Advanced Computing and Mathematical Sciences, I had built strong technical skills. I wanted to see how they translate into practical solutions for organisations.

Working on a real-world AI solution

During my internship, I worked with a team across our Melbourne and Sydney offices on a proof of concept exploring practical uses of AI and automation. I contributed to testing, evaluation, and solution design, which gave me valuable experience applying my technical skills in a professional setting. It was rewarding to be part of work that combined innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.

Applying and expanding my technical skills

I applied a range of skills from my degree, including programming, relational databases, and web development. I also deepened my understanding of applied AI. This included hands-on experience with prompt design techniques such as chain-of-thought and few-shot prompting, as well as methods to evaluate AI systems.

Exploring applied AI in practice

Applied AI was one of the most engaging parts of the internship. I explored techniques such as tree-of-thought prompting and approaches like using large language models as a judge. These were not areas I had studied in depth at university so it was a valuable opportunity to apply them in a real project.

Understanding consulting in practice

The internship also gave me insight into how consulting projects operate. I saw how client needs shape delivery, how teams manage uncertainty, and how constraints influence outcomes. These are difficult to learn in a classroom, and they gave me a clearer view of professional software delivery.

Learning from a supportive team

One of the highlights of my time at CGI was the support from the team. I worked closely with Jason Nam and Tim Risvanov in Melbourne, who provided guidance throughout the project. I also benefited from mentoring from Simeon Lobo, whose insights into consulting and applied AI were invaluable. The team created an environment where I felt comfortable asking questions and learning quickly.

Experiencing CGI’s culture of ownership

This experience also reflected CGI’s culture of ownership. From day one, I was trusted to contribute to meaningful work and take responsibility for my learning and outcomes.