In this Intern Insider, join us as we hear directly from one of RELI Group’s exceptional interns, Poorajith Sasikumar Thenmozhi, a soon-to-be graduate student finishing his Master’s at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Poorajith reflects on how his internship helped shape not only his skillset but clarified his professional goals. Discover below how internships can serve as a launchpad for your passions, purpose and future career.
As I near the finish line of my graduate studies and step into the next phase of my career, I’ve found myself reflecting on how far I’ve come, especially during my internship at RELI Group. What started as an opportunity to support project management initiatives turned out to be one of the most defining experiences of my professional life. It was more than just a line on my resume—it became a launchpad for my passion, purpose and plans ahead
Building More Than Projects—Building Purpose
At RELI, I worked as a Project Management Intern within the Security Operations team. My focus ranged from scrum facilitation, onboarding processes and stakeholder collaboration to cybersecurity project planning and automation initiatives. I wasn’t just part of meetings or handling checklists—I was invited to contribute to real outcomes that impacted how the team operated
A major lesson that stuck with me was the importance of understanding and communicating the “why” behind every process. Creating a workflow is one thing, but ensuring that everyone understands its purpose, buys into it and sees the value? That’s true leadership. I was inspired by Richard Pultz, one of our senior leaders, who consistently emphasized this mindset. His approach helped me rethink how processes aren’t just tasks—they’re tools for alignment, clarity and culture
Learning by Doing: The Value of Real-World Exposure
One of the most fulfilling aspects of this internship was being able to connect the dots between classroom theory and real-world practice. While my coursework and certifications laid the groundwork, it was RELI that gave me the chance to roll up my sleeves and apply what I’d learned
Working with the Security Team introduced me to various domains—audit preparation, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and onboarding enhancements. I played a key role in shaping project plans and even worked on process automation. Without this internship, my understanding of project management would have remained largely theoretical. RELI allowed me to explore, test and implement strategies in a dynamic environment—and I’m incredibly thankful to the team for the trust and autonomy they gave me
On top of that, I’m currently preparing to complete my Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) certification and have set my sights on completing the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification by May 2025. These certifications, in tandem with my internship, are helping me build a robust foundation for managing both agile and traditional projects effectively
Academic Growth and Capstone Challenges
Academically, I’m completing my Master’s in Information Technology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where I’ve focused on digital transformation and user experience. I was recently inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, an honor society recognizing academic excellence in business disciplines
My capstone experiences have been as immersive as they’ve been intense. I’m currently working with Coding Ninjas, where we’re building a system design solution to streamline gamified learning and reduce manual processes for instructors
Another capstone under the Teaming and Organizing track involves developing a unified internal communication system for WPI. After interviewing department heads, students and IT leaders, we discovered critical disconnects in how key messages are shared across campus. Our proposal aims to resolve those gaps with a centralized solution that supports smoother, smarter communication
These projects aren’t just academic, they’ve pushed me to think critically about user experience, change management and how technology can truly serve people
Leading with Community: Founding Colibre
One of the most meaningful things I’ve built during my time at WPI is Colibre—a student club rooted in the values of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), collaboration and community-driven innovation. Inspired by my long-time involvement with the Free Software Foundation Tamil Nadu (FSFTN), I co-founded Colibre to create a space for students to explore skill-sharing, open-source culture and entrepreneurial thinking
As I prepare to graduate, I’m also working on transitioning the club to a new leadership team, revamping the org structure and ensuring the club’s mission stays strong. Watching Colibre grow from an idea into an officially recognized organization has been a proud milestone, and I’m excited for the legacy it will continue to build
Looking Ahead
With graduation around the corner, I’m focused on finding opportunities where I can combine my skills in project management, digital transformation and team empowerment. I’m especially drawn to roles that intersect process innovation, agile practices and stakeholder collaboration—areas where I can make a meaningful impact
The journey from RELI to graduation has been one of growth, learning and leadership. I’m grateful for the mentors, classmates and team members who believed in me, and I’m excited to carry these lessons forward as I step into what’s next
Build Your Path to Success with RELI Group!
Poorajith’s story is a powerful reminder of how internships can be more than just a stepping stone—they can shape your skills, provide real-world experience and set the stage for your future career. At RELI, we are proud to offer opportunities that empower interns to grow both professionally and personally, just as Poorajith has
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career journey, we invite you to join our team of exceptional interns. Apply now and start building your path to success with RELI Group!
