Participating in a three-month mechanical engineering traineeship in Soverato, Italy, has been an invaluable opportunity to apply my technological background in a new domain and gain hands-on engineering experience. The traineeship took place at PL Studio, an engineering studio based in Soverato and led by Antonello Pisano. The studio provided a structured and professional setting where I was able to actively contribute to design projects and work with industry-standard tools and processes. Hosted in a professional and technically focused environment, my internship allowed me to deepen my understanding of the design and development processes central to modern mechanical engineering practice.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Informatics, specializing in Software Engineering, my academic foundation is rooted in technology and problem-solving. Professionally, I’ve been working as a QA Automation Engineer, where I focus on ensuring software quality through testing and automation processes. Now at 23 years old, I’m currently expanding my horizons by pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration, aiming to integrate technical expertise with strategic thinking and leadership. This diverse background has allowed me to approach the mechanical engineering traineeship from a unique perspective—combining analytical skills, digital fluency, and a business-oriented mindset to fully engage with the challenges and learning opportunities it presented.
The core of my technical work revolved around mastering Autodesk Inventor, a widely used 3D CAD software in the engineering field. Under the supervision of a local engineer, I contributed to ongoing design projects by developing initial technical sketches, building precise 3D models, and generating full-scale engineering drawings. This process-oriented workflow—starting from conceptualization through to documentation—gave me a complete view of the engineering product lifecycle. It sharpened both my attention to detail and my ability to think in three dimensions. What made this experience especially dynamic was the autonomy I was given in handling tasks. From understanding dimensional tolerances to organizing parts within assemblies, I was able to apply theoretical principles in a professional setting, ensuring designs met both functional and manufacturing criteria. The use of Inventor in daily operations not only improved my software proficiency but also helped me understand industry expectations for design standards and documentation.
Communication posed an initial challenge, as the team predominantly spoke Italian. Rather than an obstacle, this became a growth opportunity. Immersion in the language and culture accelerated my Italian comprehension and introduced me to the technical vocabulary used in Italian engineering contexts. By the end of the internship, I could comfortably follow discussions and engage with tasks explained in Italian. Outside of the workshop, the experience extended into the social and cultural dimensions. Soverato, though modest in size, is vibrant and full of life. The region’s hospitality, Mediterranean atmosphere, and culinary richness made adaptation seamless. Daily life was supported by excellent coordination from JUMP – Gioventù in riSalto, the organization behind our placement. Their team facilitated everything from accommodation and transport to language support, making our transition smooth and enjoyable.
Outside the technical scope of our internship, we were also invited to take part in a local initiative celebrating the anniversary of the European Union. Spanning five days,
the event involved multiple activities across Soverato and neighboring towns. We joined the preparations by helping set up installations at various locations, delivering materials, and managing tasks across different sites. Our role also included interacting with local youth (ages 10 to 19), running informal educational games, and promoting the event in nearby schools and community spaces. It was a unique opportunity to step into a different kind of team dynamic—one that emphasized public engagement, adaptability, and grassroots collaboration. It added a human and cultural dimension to an otherwise technical experience, and showed how engineering mindsets can contribute to broader community efforts.
JUMP’s professionalism and long-standing experience in international mobility programs were evident in every aspect of the project. Their approach is holistic: while the technical internship refined our engineering competence, the cultural and social elements fostered adaptability, empathy, and broader perspective—all of which are essential traits in the global engineering landscape.
In conclusion, this traineeship was not only a technical advancement but a comprehensive developmental experience. It reinforced my passion for engineering design, improved my adaptability in multilingual environments, and deepened my appreciation for collaborative and culturally diverse work settings. The skills I acquired—both technical and interpersonal—will remain fundamental to my professional path moving forward.
Author: Pavel Bozhinoski, JUMP Trainee from North Macedonia
