Sometimes, a seemingly simple decision can open doors to opportunities. This is the case for Nicolas Legros, one of Coveo’s newest recruits in our Research and Development team. His journey with us began many years ago during the Coveo Blitz, a yearly hackathon that has been attracting curious and passionate minds for over 15 years.
How did a simple programming competition turn into a career opportunity for Nicolas? Intrigued, I sat down with him to learn about his journey, from his multiple Coveo Blitz participations to his current full-time role.
Technology: A Lifelong Passion
Nicolas’ love for technology started from a young age; computers captivated his mind, sparking a lifelong passion for technology.
“I completed Harvard’s CS50 course, an introduction to computer science, before even starting university. That’s when I truly fell in love with computer science,” he said. This passion led him to pursue a bachelor’s degree in software engineering at Université Laval and later to begin a master degree in the same field at Polytechnique Montréal..
It’s during a networking event in his first year of university that Nicolas was introduced to Coveo. That’s also when he discovered the Coveo Blitz.
“The pandemic had hit, and I had a lot of free time. I was looking for a new challenge, and participating in a programming competition hosted by a Quebec-based company was the perfect opportunity to test my skills,” he shared.
After his first participation at the Coveo Blitz, Nicolas was hooked, Despite being a virtual event due to the pandemic
“Everything was perfect—the organization, the atmosphere, the energy,” he recalled enthusiastically.
From that moment, Nicolas made a promise to himself: he would continue participating in hackathons throughout his studies, a promise that he kept. He competed in three editions of the Coveo Blitz, even winning first place with his team in his last and final participation..
“I was honestly surprised. We had developed our solution in such small iterations that our robot seemed almost too simple. That’s when I truly realized the key lesson repeated throughout my software development journey: building in small iterations leads to success!” he said with a smile.
After such positive experiences with the Coveo Blitz, Nicolas knew one thing for sure—he was going to apply for an internship at Coveo, an internship he was able to secure for summer of 2024.
A Transformative Internship
From the moment he joined Coveo, Nicolas discovered an environment where learning and growth are central to the internship experience.
“The support and availability of the team is incredible,” he shared. “My colleagues offered me unique learning opportunities and were generous in sharing their knowledge throughout the internship.”
When asked what contributed most to his successful internship, Nicolas didn’t hesitate:
“Access to cutting-edge technologies, the chance to experiment with new solutions, and, most importantly, the people who mentored me. Their expertise, patience, and willingness to help me grow made all the difference.”
But does the Coveo Blitz provide a true glimpse into Coveo’s culture?
“The spirit of collaboration and engagement felt during the competition is even stronger here,” he quickly added. And just like his final Coveo Blitz experience, Nicolas’ internship ended on a high note—with a full-time job offer.
Advice for Future participants
For those considering participating in the Blitz, Nicolas has one straightforward advice:
“Do it! It’s one of the best moments of winter each year.”
As for those thinking about an internship at Coveo? He is also very straightforward on this point;
“It’s the best gift you can give yourself at the start of your career. It’s a chance to grow, tackle innovative challenges, and be part of a close-knit team that values collaboration.”
After speaking with Nicolas, one thing became clear: the Coveo Blitz is a condensed version of Coveo’s work culture. The spirit of innovation, mutual support, and professional growth opportunities are at the heart of both the competition and the intern experience.
If like Nicolas, want to take on challenges that match your ambitions, we hire interns three times a year across all departments!
Start your career with us, join the Coveolife!