Big Data Engineer, Shlok, Reflects on his past PetSmart Internship

You don't have to be a pet parent to work at PetSmart but know you'll probably end up being a Pet Aunty or Uncle! That's what happened to our former intern, now Big Data Engineer, Shlok! 🐾 He has become an amazing pet uncle to several pets, but two that are special to his heart are Piper – the Labradoodle, and Rio – the Bernedoodle.

Before Shlok graduated with his Bachelor's Degree, he interned at PetSmart as an IT Customer Data Analyst between his junior and senior years. After graduation, he returned to PetSmart full-time and is now a Big Data Engineer. When we asked Shlok what was one of the most impactful aspects of his internship, he stated that he "got to apply skills such as data modeling and database management, which I [he] learned in the classroom but never got to apply to a real-life situation."

Besides his love of pets, he continues to choose PetSmart because of our commitment to continually learn more about and keep up with the latest technology. He stated that this "allows me [him] to be more innovative in my work and collaborate more effectively with other members of my [his] team." Opportunities like this allow us to provide better value to PetSmart while advancing our careers and staying motivated in our work.

When asked what advice he has for someone interested in an internship at PetSmart, he mentioned the following.

"As an upcoming intern, it is important to keep an open mind and prioritize learning. To achieve this, it is important to be curious and seek to understand. Take initiative and volunteer for new projects or tasks that will challenge you and help you develop new skills. Embrace feedback and use it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Network with colleagues and attend company events to learn about different areas of the organization. Stay organized and keep track of important information. Remember that your internship is a learning experience, so don't be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. By keeping an open mind, being proactive, and embracing opportunities to learn and grow, you will gain valuable experience and set yourself up for success in your future career."

Want to learn more about #LifeAtPetSmart as an intern? Check out our internship page or @PetSmartOnCampus!