My Placement Journey at Fat Fish Digital
Sep 6, 2024
When I first applied for a placement at Fat Fish Digital through SEPnet, I had no idea what to expect. As a student of Theoretical Physics, I was looking for a placement that would give me hands-on experience, and the SEPnet brochure sent by my university had a lot of exciting options. But it was Fat Fish Digital that caught my eye. I was eager to work in web development and data science, but little did I know I would end up diving deep into the world of AI.
A Surprise Start in AI
When I joined Fat Fish Digital, I was surprised by the amount of AI work I was involved in right from the start. One major project I worked on involved developing an AI solution to convert complex medical documents into streamlined, structured formats. My task was to create and present the proof of concept, and I’m proud to say my work helped secure the project.
Currently, I’m writing the AI code that will be integrated into the system. It’s been challenging, especially since there weren’t any existing Python packages that could do what we needed. So, I had to write large algorithms from scratch, which pushed me to grow and find new solutions. I used Chat-GPT 4o for the proof of concept and now work with Python and the Open AI API to build out the AI model. The project is still ongoing, but it’s exciting to see the real-world impact of my contributions.
Automating the Future
Another project I worked on was automating content generation for Upmost. I developed Python scripts that now automate the entire process, which used to take hours manually. Now, with the click of a button, content is automatically generated and can even be translated into different languages. This experience taught me how to creatively link AI to Python to make processes more efficient.
Learning and Adaptation
The jump from studying theoretical physics to working in cloud computing and software development was a big one. It was very different from anything I had done in academia, but my problem-solving skills from physics helped me adapt. For example, while working on the recent medical documents project, the simplest solution was to use the OpenAI API, but it came with costs. So, instead of taking the easy route, I wrote more complex code that achieved the same outcome at no extra expense.
I also learned a lot about prompt engineering, a skill I didn’t expect to develop but one that I now find invaluable. Throughout the placement, I kept improving my AI skills, which I know will serve me well in the future.
The Fat Fish Culture
From day one, I felt like part of the Fat Fish team. The team members are incredibly empathetic, always checking in on each other’s wellbeing and workload. Whenever I had a question or needed clarification, my colleagues were there to help. The support I received, especially when I was still learning the ropes of cloud computing and all the technical acronyms, made a huge difference.
One of the highlights of my time here was the team day in August; it was great to connect with everyone outside of work. The Fat Fish team is very diverse; and it's been fun to draw from everyone's different experiences and learn about the different parts of the world we all come from. Spending time together as a team really helped solidify a sense of togetherness and made the work environment even more enjoyable.
Looking into the Future
As I wrap up my placement, I can honestly say that the most rewarding part has been the professional experience I’ve gained. Presenting my ideas to clients, working on real-world projects, and learning the day-to-day operations of a successful business have all been invaluable. The transition from full-time study to full-time work was smoother than I expected. The structure and support at Fat Fish Digital made it easy to know what I needed to do, and if I ever had any doubts, someone was always there to guide me.
Looking forward, I’m excited about the doors this experience has opened for me, especially in the AI space. I’m lucky enough to be staying on with Fat Fish while I continue my studies, and I’ll be focusing on AI solutions and furthering my skills in this exciting field. In five years, I see myself established in the world of AI business, and the skills I’ve developed here will definitely play a big part in that journey.
I would absolutely recommend a placement at Fat Fish Digital to other students. From day one, you’re treated as a full member of the team, not just an intern. The experience has been incredibly rewarding, and the support and mentorship I’ve received have been second to none.
Fat Fish Digital has given me a platform to grow, learn, and contribute, and I’m excited to see what the future holds.