My Internship Experience: Marc

Posted on: 18 August 2025 by Shannon Cheung in Student experiences

Marc Beepath is in the final stages of his Master’s in Advanced Computer Science at the University of Liverpool. Alongside his studies, he’s been working part-time as a Control Systems Software Engineer at Ultamation in the Liverpool Science Park. We caught up with him to chat about the role and his experience so far.

What was your internship and what does it involve?

I had the opportunity to work part-time as a Control Systems Software Engineer at Ultamation in the Liverpool Science Park whilst doing my Master’s. I started by writing drivers for a smart home control system using the .NET Framework (C#), and eventually contributed to some research and development around an exciting and emerging smart home protocol.

Why did you apply for this role?

Initially, the position was offered for full-time graduates. Smart home technology wasn’t something I had much experience with, which made it an exciting area to learn about and explore. When I received the offer to complete my Master’s, they were kind and accommodating enough to allow me to continue with them part-time.

When and how did you find the internship?

I applied around March of 2024 through good ol’Handshake. As a local and growing company in Liverpool, they responded quickly to applications (a green flag when it comes to employers regardless of the outcome).

What did the recruitment process involve?

It was very straightforward. I submitted a CV and cover letter, and was later invited to do a take-home assessment. Having passed that, I was asked to come in for an interview where we chatted a bit more about my background, technical experience and I got to learn some more about the company. Afterwards, they invited me in for a couple days to work on a real task and see how I’d fit in with the team (this was paid).

Tip: They read through each CV & cover letter individually, so whatever you do, don’t rely on AI to write yours.

Bonus Tip: Have a read through Clean Code by Robert C. Martin for some brownie points.

What’s been your favourite experience on your internship?

I really enjoyed challenging myself every day, especially when I didn’t immediately know the answer to a problem. It’s nice to be able to collaborate with smart people.

My colleagues were fantastic and we shared many laughs. The socials were good fun as well (I got to do some Go-Karting).

Did you face any challenges during your internship?

Balancing a Master’s degree while working part-time was a key challenge. It required proper time management and clear communication with my supervisors whenever I had big deadlines coming up. Luckily, they were always really accommodating (within reason of course) which made me extra appreciative and motivated to put in the extra effort when I was in.

What have you gained from your internship?

Aside from the technical skills I developed throughout the year, I gained a broader understanding of software engineering and a deeper appreciation for attention to detail. It can be said that writing code isn’t about just “getting something to work”but rather there is a real pride and craftsmanship that comes along with producing clean and concise code. End users will never have to see it, but other developers certainly will.

Would you recommend an internship to other students?

No. Not if you’re doing it to tick a box or stat-pad your CV. But if you believe you can push yourself, and that you have the skills necessary to provide some value, then absolutely. An internship is just as much about discovering what excites you as it is about ruling things out. For me, my time at Ultamation has confirmed that software engineering is the path I want to pursue. I’ve learned a lot, and in my opinion, I’ve delivered a lot.

Remember: You don’t learn to swim by reading about it, you have to jump in the water.

Looking for opportunities?

If you’re looking an internship, part-time role, or YINI placement then check out Handshake for the latest opportunities – all of these roles have been added by employers who are looking to recruit University of Liverpool students.

Our Career Studio is open Monday-Friday during term-time if you need help finding and applying for opportunities. 

Can't make it to campus? Take a look at the online support and resources that we offer here.