Today, various companies are actively recognising the workforce’s need to skill and upskill, to harness the full potential of technology and drive further brand and career growth to keep up with the current industry standards. It is also very important for the youth to get exposure to the practical world and truly know where they belong. Deliveroo, the global food delivery company, started its first internship programme for graduating college students in India earlier this year. This six-month paid internship programme offers interns to work at the innovative food-tech company’s India Development Centre (IDC) located in Hyderabad. The interns work closely with the core engineering teams focused on Restaurant Tech, Consumer Tech, Delivery, Care & Trust, and Finance.
Deliveroo’s India Development Centre is the largest technology hub outside of the United Kingdom – where Deliveroo is headquartered and supports its primary engineering operations in its home country. IDC serves as a core part of Deliveroo’s central technology organisation having employees specialising in the field of analytics, platforms, and machine learning. Ashritha Lokasani was among the first cohort of interns from the Vasavi Engineering College, Hyderabad who interned at Deliveroo’s IDC. Coming from the small town of Nalgonda, Telangana, before moving to Hyderabad for her education, Ashritha completed her schooling at Dilsukhnagar Public School and pursued her graduate degree majoring in Computer Science and Technology at the Vasavi College of Engineering. She recently spoke with us and delved deeper into her internship experience with Deliveroo, and her inspiring journey as a woman in a predominantly male industry.
Ashritha’s internship program began with an intensive eight-week training session, during which all interns were assigned mentors and exposed to a range of technologies and tools, such as Ruby on Rails, Go React, Scala, Data Dog, and Kafka. Unlike traditional training programs, Deliveroo’s approach was hands-on, allowing interns to practically apply their knowledge through various tasks. Ashritha also cherishes the friendships she formed during her time at Deliveroo and draws inspiration from the experienced professionals she met.
Deliveroo not only offered Ashritha invaluable technological experiences but also opened her eyes to the multitude of growth opportunities within the company. With a complex ecosystem comprising consumers, partners (restaurants and grocery stores), and riders, the challenges and avenues for advancement at Deliveroo are vast. Ashritha’s internship focuses on financial systems, but she acknowledges that her fellow interns are working on projects related to riders, promotions, and other teams. From DevOps to machine learning, Deliveroo offers a diverse range of roles and opportunities for those eager to learn and grow.
Speaking about her motivation to become a software engineer, Ashritha says, “I vividly recall the joy and fascination I felt while exploring the capabilities of a computer—performing calculations, storing photos, playing music and movies, and even playing video games. Combined with my innate problem-solving skills, this early exposure ignited my passion for computer science and propelled me towards a career in engineering.”
Reflecting on the lack of women in STEM fields, Ashritha expresses her concern and highlights societal expectations as a significant factor. She notes that girls often face limitations due to traditional gender roles, emphasising the importance of providing equal educational resources to both genders. While progress has been made, Ashritha believes that the media can play a crucial role in showcasing successful female role models, inspiring young women to dream big and pursue careers in STEM.
Throughout her journey, Ashritha found inspiration from her interests rather than specific industry figures. Her intrinsic curiosity and dedication to the field kept her engaged and motivated to pursue engineering. When asked about any initial inhibitions she may have had as a woman entering a male-dominated field, Ashritha confidently expresses that she never let gender bias negatively impact her experience and was lucky enough to have support from her family. She also credits the encouraging and collaborative environment at her college, where she worked closely with male friends, who helped each other prepare for exams and complete coursework.
As advice for young professionals who want to enter a career in the engineering industry, Ashritha says, “Future interns should not shy away from opportunities that come their way and actively participate in events like hackathons and be part of employee resource groups. Also, remain curious and ask questions.”
She applauds the supportive nature of the people at Deliveroo, highlighting the willingness of senior members like VPs to take the time out to answer her doubts and queries. She conveys her belief that aspiring engineers and interns at Deliveroo are well cared for. She encourages them to seize the resources available and forge a bright future for themselves. With her inspiring journey, Ashritha Lokasani serves as a testament to the immense potential and success that can be achieved by women in the field of engineering. Post her internship Ashritha secured a full time role at Deliveroo’s IDC in Hyderabad.
To be a part of the exciting opportunities at Deliveroo, aspiring individuals are invited to explore the opportunities available through this link: https://careers.deliveroo.co.uk/locations/india/
Also Read: NITIE and NSE sign an MoU for academic and research collaboration
Posted in Corporate, News
