My First Internship Journey: at Thinkvyne Digital

#reactnative #beginners #career #react

When I joined Thinkvyne Digital as a Software Developer Intern, I didn’t really know what I was walking into. It’s a startup building an Academic Management System using a mix of React, React Native, and PHP Laravel — and from day one, I was responsible for the entire UI structure of both the main user app and admin panel.

Learning to Build from Zero

The tech stack was modern:

React 19, Vite, TailwindCSS, Shadcn/UI, Radix UI, Lucide Icons, React Query, Zustand for client states, Tanstack Query for server states, React Router DOM, Sonner for toast notifications — and of course, React Native for the mobile app with vector icons.

When I started, I had zero experience in React Native. AI tools like Copilot (and sometimes ChatGPT) became my silent teammates. They didn’t just write code — they taught me how to think through it. I learned to prompt well, debug faster, and understand why something worked (or didn’t).

Working Like a Pro in a Startup

Even though it’s a startup, the workflow here feels like a mini-MNC.
We use Jira for task management, GitHub for version control, and follow agile-scrum methods with daily meetings. Two of our leads come from MNC backgrounds, and their professionalism really shaped how we approach even the smallest tasks.

Most of our work happens online — it’s a mix of casual conversations and serious productivity. The team’s energy is somewhere between a chill group chat and a professional dev squad. Some interns are super cooperative, some a bit rigid — but that’s how real teams are.

The Bug That Taught Me Patience

One moment I’ll never forget was spending hours chasing a stubborn bug that AI couldn’t solve. After staring at my code long enough, I finally spotted the tiniest mistake — one small fix, and everything worked perfectly. That moment hit hard: this was my code, my structure, my creation.

More Than Just Coding

Beyond code, I learned how to communicate, collaborate, and manage workflow like a developer — not just a student. I got comfortable writing emails, managing PRs, and keeping track of progress.

Looking Ahead

I’m still in my third year of B.Tech, and this internship is ongoing — it’s an 8-month program, and I’m about five months in. They’ve mentioned the possibility of a job offer afterward, but I’m keeping my mind open. I want more exposure — more chances to explore different fields and see where I really fit.

The Real Internship Vibe

This internship gave me something my classmates still don’t have — real experience. While many think internships are something you pay for just to get a certificate, I realized that real internships pay you — not just in money, but in skills, confidence, and clarity about your future.