What happens when you get to do your favourite thing in an environment that is solid, supportive, and filled with brilliant people? You thrive, and you discover possibilities you didn’t even know existed.
When I got into the Mono Summer Internship programme, I had no idea how much I could change in just three months. But those three months became a defining chapter in my journey as a frontend engineer.
My experience as a frontend engineering Intern at Mono is a story of learning and unlearning, tiny wins and big breakthroughs; the kind of growth that sneaks up on you.
Starting My Journey at Mono
My journey began with one of the smoothest onboarding experiences I’ve ever had. From day one, I was introduced to the Mono products, the culture, and the different teams at Mono. Every part of the onboarding process was structured to help me settle in nicely without feeling overwhelmed.
I was also given an internship roadmap and planner that clearly highlighted my key outcomes and deliverables. That structure helped me find my footing quickly and was the first signal that Mono cares deeply about providing clarity and supporting my growth as an intern.
Learning, Building and Growing
A big turning point in my journey was joining the frontend engineering team and being assigned my mentor, Victor. Victor turned out to be one of the most impactful parts of my internship. He walked me through the Mono products, helped me set up my environment, and made sure I had everything I needed to begin contributing meaningfully.
At first, I was given low-risk tasks to help me understand the codebase; tiny fixes here and there, gradually moving toward implementing new features. And like any intern trying to find their balance, I had moments when I wondered whether I was doing enough or performing at the expected level. It helped that Victor always guided me with empathy. He explained things with patience, encouraged curiosity, and made feedback feel like collaboration rather than criticism.
One feedback from him that stuck with me was when he said, “You deserve a lot of credit for your performance in such a short time here. You listen to feedback and act on it in good time. Well done.” Those words gave me so much confidence and became a reminder that I was growing more than I realized.
Eventually, I moved from simply completing assigned tasks to spotting opportunities for improvement and picking up tasks myself. That shift was significant because it showed that I had not only learned the system but had become comfortable enough to think like an owner. And that mindset changed the way I approached my work.
My team lead, Olamide Sholanke, also played a big role in my development. Every meeting with him left me with new insights about frontend engineering, best practices, and how to think more strategically about building solutions.
Experience, Challenges and Wins
My three months at Mono were packed with learning moments, both technical and non-technical ones. I strengthened my React and TypeScript skills by working on real features used by actual customers. I had the opportunity to refactor existing components, build reusable hooks, and contribute to UI improvements that enhanced the overall performance and usability. I also learned to be intentional about communication, to ask questions early, and to always seek context before jumping into solutions.
Mono’s values also became part of my daily mindset. Pursue growth, choose empathy, insist on excellence, act like an owner, and communicate effectively were not just words I read on the walls of the Mono office; they were values I watched my teammates and everyone at Mono embody every day. Eventually, those values became a part of me, too.
Beyond engineering, Mono made sure each intern had a wholesome experience. I had bi-weekly check-ins with Adetoro, a Senior Engineer, and Alfawwaz, our Engineering Manager, where I could share how I was doing, ask for help, or talk through any issues I had. Mono also provided access to a soft skill course on Udemy, and I got to learn more about problem-solving and critical thinking.
How Mono Shaped My Career
My internship at Mono wasn’t just about adding “Frontend Engineering Intern” to my CV. It genuinely reshaped how I see myself as an engineer. I became more confident, more inquisitive, and more open to collaboration. I learned the importance of acting like an owner, paying attention to details, and writing code that solves real problems for real users.
The exposure I gained strengthened my understanding of React and frontend architecture. I learned to navigate and contribute to a production-grade codebase. I also sharpened my communication and teamwork skills, two things that matter just as much as writing good code.
More than anything, Mono taught me to trust myself. To take initiative. To show up with curiosity. And to know that the right environment can amplify the best parts of you.
Advice for Future Interns
If you ever get the chance to intern at Mono or if you’re about to start any tech internship, here’s what I learned: ask questions even when they feel small, take initiative as much as you can, document your work, embrace feedback well, and build genuine relationships with the people around you. You’re not just there to work; you’re there to grow.
The Mono Summer Internship programme was a launchpad to becoming the kind of engineer I want to become. Mono didn’t just teach me frontend engineering; it taught me ownership, communication, problem-solving and empathy. If three months could have this much impact, I can only imagine what the future holds.
