This past summer looked quite different for college students across the U.S. and around the world as companies had to cancel or curtail their summer internship programs due to the impact of COVID-19. At the Nokia Naperville location where 5G R&D and testing is conducted, Nokia put safety measures in place that allowed us to bring 44 students from 26 different universities across the U.S. to spend the summer working at Nokia.
Our interns were able to gain real-world experience in our Mobile Networks business group working on 5G, and in other divisions including Nokia Bell Labs, IP/Optical, Nokia Software and Global Services. Within Nokia Bell Labs, interns worked on various future technologies including advanced 5G and 6G. In our Nokia Software division, interns worked on a Nokia Venture studio project which intersected Human Centered Design, Behavioral Economics and Human Factors Engineering to deliver a game-changing Human-Machine-Systems that excels at equipping users to succeed in complex operational environments.
The 5G opportunity - interns instrumental for 5G testing
Many interns at Nokia sought to participate in our Mobile Networks business group due to our leadership in advancing 5G within the U.S. One of the key jobs that interns took on was conducting Over-the-Air mmWave tests to measure 5G performance.
Nokia Summer Intern Shivam Dayama tests 5G capacity and coverage at the Naperville campus
On a daily basis, Nokia interns took out the 5G Over-the-Air Testing Van to perform a variety of tests, including beam sweeps, spot tests, and drive-by tests, for both Nokia research and for Nokia clients. One of the testing goals was to verify that the functionality of Nokia’s 5G products met mobile operator customers’ requirements. One of the key accomplishments was mapping the cell edge at the Naperville site and being able to double the cell edge from 250M to 500M.
This testing program - known as the FIVe implementation - was developed in Naperville to align with testing conducted at Nokia’s headquarters in Espoo, Finland. Interns ran tests on real-world 5G scenarios with the goal to optimize the performance and coverage range, rather than just testing in controlled lab environments. One of the key advantages for interns in Nokia’s program is they get a hands-on experience with 5G, while also contributing to the creation of real products that will be deployed worldwide.
Nokia Naperville’s 5G Over-the-Air Test Van
Safety first: pandemic impacts on the program
With COVID-19 being our new reality over the summer, we made changes to our program that followed guidance from national health organizations and government to ensure that all intern participants had a safe place to work.
Our interns involved in 5G testing worked on campus, while a number of other interns worked completely from home. For those onsite, we provided a large R&D space for interns and employees to minimize risks and ensure social distancing of at least 6 feet. We also mandated masks and all interns received turn-key laptops to minimize interaction. Interns were able to interact virtually with their mentors and each other and to work either remotely or in-person on critical projects, continuing Nokia’s culture of teamwork, continued learning, collaboration and innovation.
Nokia’s mandatory COVID safety guidelines and extensive cultural training through the Nokia University turned this into a seamless transition for program participants. And those COVID-19 guidelines from the summer program will continue for interns who continue with our co-op program during the school year. In-person and virtual participation will be based upon the intern’s comfort-level, particular projects needing support, as well as the intern’s school schedule. Those located nearby will have the opportunity to work at our Naperville campus while others will telecommute.
Continued commitment to diversity
Nokia has a rich history of diversity, with the Naperville location recognized as best-in-class and boasting employees from a multitude of backgrounds. Nokia also has eight executive development programs, which focus on different aspects of diversity, such as StrongHER, AbleVeterans, and additional hiring initiatives for minorities, LGBTQ, and disabled individuals to support the development of their technology careers. Our internship program reflects this diversity with students from a variety of backgrounds participating during the 10 week program.
Nokia’s summer intern program has existed for 25+ years, and many of our new hires have been returning interns. With Nokia’s continued dedication to the expansion of 5G infrastructure across the U.S., we are committed to continuing to grow our internship program and to inspiring the next generation of telecom professionals.
