Lakshit Gaur completed a successful co-op at IBM working as a software engineer. His supervisor notes that Lakshit was able to identify challenges when migrating application servers and developed an effective approach. While the large, mature code base was initially difficult, Lakshit improved over time. The supervisor saw potential in Lakshit and believes he will continue to develop important skills like communication with experience. Overall, Lakshit's performance was satisfactory and the supervisor would consider hiring him again.
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Employer Assessment ‐ Final
Student: Lakshit Gaur Term: SPS1SP15
Company: IBM Completed On: 8/21/2015
Evaluator: Richard Watts
1 The student demonstrated adequate prior knowledge and skills to be able to identify
challenges.
Agree
2 The student demonstrated adequate prior knowledge and skills to solve problems.
Agree
3 When faced with new challenges, the student demonstrated adequate critical thinking skills.
Strongly Agree
4 Please describe at least one example of how this student identified and solved challenges in
the work place.
Lakshit worked extensively on our application server upgrade/migration feature. We
were switching application servers (Apache Tomcat to WebSphere Liberty) this presented
challenges because configuration files had to be not only copied but also mapped since
the two application servers used different commands for the same/similar function. He
was able to identify several patterns and configuration items that needed to be migrated
and developed the code and approach for handling this.
5 During this co‐op, what did you see as particularly challenging for this student, and how did
he/she address it/them, if at all?
Working on a mature code base (10 years old, 8 releases) means there are lots of
standards, coding conventions, rules, behaviors that must be followed, and these were a
struggle. It is very much like drinking from a fire hose. The advantage of a mature code
base is that there are usually plenty of examples of how to do something. The
disadvantage is you have to plow through a lot of code to find them. I think the size,
complexity and the fact that we are the foundation (the underlying base code that
applications consume) was initially difficult for Lakshit. He has gotten better over time.
6 During this co‐op, the student behaved in a professional manner (e.g., punctual, dressed
appropriately).
Strongly Agree
Comment:
Lakshit was always very professional, punctual and dressed appropriately. It was a
pleasure to work with him.
7 The student refrained from using their cell phone and/or social media for personal use (e.g.,
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texting, personal phone calls, Facebook, Twitter).
Strongly Agree
Comment:
Absolutely no problems with his level of attentiveness.
8 The student reacted to constructive criticism from their supervisor(s) and/or colleague(s) in a
professional manner (e.g., listened to the criticism, reflected on it, and changed their work/behavior
if necessary).
Strongly Agree
Comment:
He sought out and took feedback well, and genuinely tried to improve.
9 The student followed the ethical standards set by the profession.
Strongly Agree
Comment:
Lakshit has prior experience at IBM and this was never a problem.
10 The student took advantage of learning opportunities.
Agree
11 The student built upon his/her existing skills and knowledge that helped them engage in new
activities and/or projects.
Not Applicable
12 The student demonstrated development of new knowledge and skills as a result of engaging in
new activities and/or projects.
Agree
13 The student took initiative to learn new skills and/or gain new knowledge.
Agree
14 The student took initiative on work‐related tasks.
Agree
15 The student worked efficiently independently.
Strongly Agree
16 The student worked effectively in teams.
Strongly Agree
17 The student adapted the way he/she communicated in writing so that it was appropriate for
the person or group of people being addressed.
Agree
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18 The student adapted the way he/she spoke so that it was appropriate for the person or group
of people being addressed.
Agree
19 The student had the opportunity to develop effective listening skills.
Strongly Agree
20 This co‐op emphasized the importance of being accountable for commitments that the student
made.
Strongly Agree
21 The student reached out to others for feedback on how to improve his/her work.
Strongly Agree
22 The student showed effort to improve his/her work.
Strongly Agree
23 The student worked well with others.
Strongly Agree
Comment:
Lakshit was part of a small locally based team in Massachusetts. He worked directly with
a senior (25+ years experience) developer and helped building a new feature and fixing
bugs for that feature. They worked closely as a team for the period of time he was here.
Please select five primary roles and responsibilities of the student on this co‐op. Then, please
identify how much time the student spent performing the work‐related activities you listed.
(Please note that these are approximations and do not have to total 100% of the student’s time
at work.)
24 Training/professional development (e.g., learning new software, skills)
Some of their time (approximately 20‐40%)
25 Working in teams/groups (e.g., participating in design projects, preparing client presentations)
Some of their time (approximately 20‐40%)
26 Technology ‐ Software Development, Computer Applications and Support, Mastery of New
Software Applications
Majority of their time (approximately 60‐80%)
27 Not Applicable
No Response
28 Not Applicable
No Response
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29 Have the student’s primary roles and responsibilities changed since the start of their co‐op?
Yes
Comment:
Lakshit joined as an entry level software engineer. We onboarded him and got him setup
to fix bugs on what we call the Run Team. His understanding of algorithms and the speed
of his comprehension, we moved him to work with another developer on a new feature.
30 Does the job description that the student applied for adequately represent the work that the
student actually did?
Yes
Comment:
Lakshit applied for a software engineering position and that was what he did. We do not
hire coops to simply test code or do scut work. All Software engineers work on features,
write code, test code, work on test automation, manage our builds and write
documentation. Lakshit did these things as well.
31 On average, did the student work the number of hours expected?
Yes
Comment:
Lakshit was very consistent with his hours and work.
32 As the student’s direct supervisor, the student and I discussed his/her learning
outcomes/goals.
Yes
33 As the student’s direct supervisor, the student and I discussed his/her roles and responsibilities
for this job.
Yes
34 If you, as the direct supervisor, and the student discussed the learning outcomes/goals, when
during the co‐op did this conversation FIRST take place?
The third of fourth week of co‐op
Please identify how well the students achieved their learning outcomes/goals for this co‐op.
35 Learning Outcome 1: To be able to grasp the requirements quickly and fix an issue
independently.
Largely achieved
36 Learning Outcome 2: Try to understand my domain by the end of the co‐op.
Largely achieved
37 Learning Outcome 3: To learn new technologies in both front end and back end.
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Largely achieved
38 Learning Outcome 4: Deepen and improve a particular skill through application...
Fully achieved
39 Learning Outcome 5: Continue to build communication skills...
Largely achieved
40 The student demonstrated potential in this industry/field/discipline.
Strongly Agree
41 If I could do it all over again, I would hire this student for this co‐op.
Agree
42 I would hire this student for a different co‐op.
Agree
43 Please explain your responses regarding the student’s potential, professional future, and
recommendations.
Lakshit came to us with IBM (India) experience. He is very bright and able to grasp very
complex topics quickly. His mastery of algorithms is also very good. He struggled a little
with his execution, and this is in part due to the complexity of our environment and size
of our code base. The task we gave him was complex, and had several moving parts.
I believe he has tremendous potential. He has a strong work ethic, works well
independently and in groups. Takes direction well, but sometimes can be unsure about
how to approach others when he has questions or concerns. This is an area where he will
improve over time as he gets more comfortable with his role and the work.
I am pleased to have met and worked with Lakshit. I would recommend him for a full time
position at IBM.
44 Overall, how satisfied were you with this co‐op student?
Completely satisfied
45 How many times did you discuss the student’s overall job performance with the student?
1 ‐ 2
46 Did you, as the direct supervisor, discuss with this student your evaluation of their overall
performance?
No, but I plan to
47 Is there anything else you would like to tell us about this co‐op student?
Lakshit is soft spoken and quiet. He seems to struggle with discussions that could
potentially be confrontational. Given that he had worked at IBM before, this surprised
me. I understand that this is cultural. I see this a lot in my employees from India. To be a
