Picture of What skills or habits help co-op students make the biggest impact at Nokia from day one?

What skills or habits help co-op students make the biggest impact at Nokia from day one?

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I am a co-op student at Wilfrid Laurier University in the BBA and Computer Science double degree program, and I have applied to several co-op and intern roles at Nokia. I am excited to learn, contribute, and gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced, technology-driven environment.

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Aaron M. asked a question to Rahul K.

Category: Career Advice

Date asked: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Last reviewed: Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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Rahul K.

I am sure there are a lot of well-written answers on the internet, but from my personal experience, what helped me grow from a fresher into an experienced engineer comes down to a few core skills and habits:

  1. Clear, concise written communication
    The ability to write well-structured emails and articulate ideas crisply goes a long way. Clear communication saves time, avoids confusion, and helps you be taken seriously early on.
  2. Strong verbal articulation in meetings and standups
    Being able to clearly explain what you’re working on, where you’re blocked, and what you need—especially in team meetings—helps build trust and visibility within the team.
  3. Curiosity and proactive questioning
    As a fresher, no one expects you to have immediate feature-level ownership. What does matter is the effort you put into understanding requirements, asking thoughtful questions, and speaking up when you’re blocked. There are no “wrong” questions—only unasked ones that slow progress.
  4. Understanding the product and domain
    Regardless of the team you join, investing time early to study the product through available documentation, design specs, and internal resources helps you connect your day-to-day work to the bigger picture.
  5. Appreciation of the learning environment
    At the end of the day, Nokia is a fantastic place to work. You’ll collaborate with engineers who have built and evolved complex systems over decades, and being open to learning from that experience is invaluable.
  6. Ownership mindset—even in small tasks
    Treat every assignment, no matter how small, as something you fully own. Following through, validating your work, and closing the loop leaves a strong impression.
  7. Collaboration and humility
    Being easy to work with, respectful of different perspectives, and willing to help others creates long-term impact beyond just technical output.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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