Real-World Impact: My Journey as a Developer and Researcher at CANA
By Breanne Spencer, CANA Data Science Analyst
Every college senior dreams of landing that one amazing internship the kind where you aren't just getting coffee or doing busy work tasks, but working alongside industry experts. My experience at CANA has been exactly that. It has been one of the most transformative chapters of my education, allowing me to tackle real-world problems, implement actionable changes, and grow immensely as both a developer and a researcher.
While it might sound easy when writing this blog post, this journey was defined by its hurdles. I faced problems I had never encountered in a classroom, and through those challenges, I discovered what I’m truly capable of. Looking back, I wouldn't change a single thing.
My first challenge was acclimating to the work-stream infrastructure. Although I was familiar with tools like GitHub, Jira, and VS Code, using them in a high-stakes, production-style environment was a different beast entirely. I quickly learned that version control in the real world isn't just about saving your work; it's about maintaining the integrity of a complex codebase that the whole team relies on. I navigated this steep learning curve by leaning on my mentors. Instead of struggling in silence, I began asking targeted questions about our specific CI/CD workflows and best practices. Their guidance turned these daunting tools into an extension of my daily rhythm, teaching me that technical proficiency isn't just about knowing the tool it's about mastering the professional ecosystem around it.
Once I was onboarded, I almost immediately was given meaningful projects, but soon I was hit with a wall that no textbook can prepare you for: imposter syndrome. Working with so many brilliant industry experts, it was difficult to feel truly confident in the value of my own contributions. I found my breakthrough in our weekly Data Lab meetings. Every Thursday night, the interns would connect to discuss our projects and practice presenting on our topics. This became my testing ground to share my raw ideas, gain peer insights, and refine my delivery. This collaborative environment was the turning point for my confidence; it taught me that my perspective as a junior developer was not only welcomed but necessary for innovation.
Towards the end of my internship, I hit a different kind of plateau. I was deep in the research and planning for different projects I was assign to, and while I was using tools like VS code Copilot and Gemini, I felt like I wasn't using them to their fullest potential. I was stuck in an information loop were I had mountains of data but struggled to synthesize it into a concrete roadmap. After discussing this with my mentors, I had a lightbulb moment. They showed me how to move beyond simple prompts and use AI agents as strategic partners. I learned how to use them to draft complex planning documents and customize them to fit my specific needs. This didn't just speed up my work; it elevated the quality of my strategic planning.
None of this growth would have been possible without the incredible team behind me. Tommy, Ivana, Kiko, Jason, and Scott were amazing throughout this process. They didn't just teach me about data science and logistics; they modeled what it means to be a lifelong learner and a supportive teammate. I am leaving this internship not just with a good story to tell, but with a clearer vision of the developer I want to be. I am truly grateful for every day I got to work with this team.
About CANA
CANA is a veteran women-owned small business (VWOSB) that empowers federal and commercial organizations to thrive in a global digital world through precise and adaptable technology solutions. We fuse our rigorous analytics and top-tier talent with deep expertise in complex logistics to design customer-centric, powerful solutions. We strive to create an environment that allows our Team and Clients more time to focus on the things that matter most.
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