Michael Hosmar, Toronto Quality Assurance Test Engineering

During my summer internship at Mircom I was officially titled a Quality Assurance Test Engineer. This involved testing firmware fixes implemented by the software engineers before the firmware was released. I was also involved with doing exhaustive tests of new and current hardware and firmware to identify any possible bugs so they could be remedied as quickly as possible. As a part of testing, I helped design and create any test apparatus that was needed which challenged my technical skills and creativity. My work involved exposure to both hardware and software which fit in perfectly with my studies in Mechatronics Engineering.
While working at Mircom I gained valuable experience, in both engineering aspects and general workplace practices. Before coming to work at Mircom I had had no engineering workplace experience. In my time spent at Mircom I was able to talk to the employees, ask them questions and learn everything I could from them. I found them to be friendly and helpful. They were a real help to me with my questions about school, working in a professional environment, and insight into the decisions I would eventually have to make to get to my dream career as a mechatronics engineer.

Working at a company like Mircom had another benefit as well. Mircom has a very fast moving R&D department which means I was able to be a part of the cutting edge of fire alarm control panel, communications, and security systems development. I was also able to witness what it was like to be an engineer in that environment. The feeling I got from the engineers was that it was very rewarding.

A major part of creating a new product is going through the UL certification process. During my time at Mircom I was also able to play a role in the process of UL certification of their new FleX-Net™ Fire Control Panels. That experience was very intense and very rewarding . The experience I gained during those days will most likely be very useful to me in the future. All in all I enjoyed my internship at Mircom tremendously, and gained valuable experience. I would recommend Mircom highly to any student seeking an internship.

Michael Hosmar
B. Eng. Candidate
Mechanical Engineering (Mechatronics)
University Of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT)

Sean Nijjar, Toronto Engineering & Technology Department

During my summer work term at Mircom as a software engineering intern, I was responsible for designing, implementing, and testing a BACnet software stack that acted as a proof of concept. This proof of concept software would later be integrated into a Mircom software package. I had a very good experience both from an educational/career and personal development perspective. I was essentially given full control of my project, which was very empowering.  It was surprising just how many aspects of software I was exposed to.

Interning at Mircom enabled me to flex and build my creative and technical muscle. I was given the opportunity to take control of my own project from the first stage to the last. This proved to make my experience very enjoyable. I was able to apply my own problem solving methodologies to a real-world issue of implementing the BACnet protocol. While solving these problems, I had to become proficient in essentially every common area of software: socket/network programming, data-structure programming, modular design, API design, multi-threading, expandability, and flexibility. It is very difficult to find a placement that will expose you to so much in such a short time.

From my internship experience, I found that Mircom puts actual responsibility on their interns. I’d recommend considering a software engineering internship with Mircom because, along with the responsibility you get to experience, the fact that you get to work on proof of concept and new software means that you can truly leave your mark on the company and in the world of software. If you are serious about your software development, testing, and documentation skills, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to be an intern at.

Sean Nijjar
B.A.Sc. Candidate
Computer Engineering
University of Toronto