Through an applied automation program, implemented as a professional practice in collaboration with Duoc UC, final year students of Computer Engineering have been able to experience a real work environment, developing applied technological solutions, with tangible impact.
This experience, developed during the second semester of 2024 and the first semester of 2025, at the San Andrés headquarters in Concepción, Chile, has been a concrete platform for students to strengthen their practical outlook, apply technical knowledge in a professional context and project themselves as agents of change in the digital transformation of organizations.
The program is designed to be flexible: it can be implemented as an elective course or as an internship. It includes access to automation tools such as MasterBase® Wizard, on-demand training and expert coaching, allowing students to build complete functional flows, with autonomy and responsibility.
Below, we share the experience of one of the participants in the program, Luis Arias, a 7th semester student of Computer Engineering, DUOC UC, San Andrés, Concepción, who clearly summarizes the value of this opportunity for his professional training.
What motivated you to participate in the functional automation program with MasterBase® and how has it impacted your professional training?
R: Since I heard about the program, I was very interested in the possibility of participating in a real technological automation environment.
I have always been very curious to understand how to optimize processes within a company and I felt that this was a concrete opportunity to take what I learned in class to a more applied level.
What motivated me the most was that it was not just a traditional practice, but an experience where I could create solutions that had a real impact.
The impact on my education has been enormous. It allowed me to strengthen my vision of processes, to understand the logic behind well-designed systems and, above all, to gain confidence that my ideas could be transformed into useful solutions.
What were the main learning and skills you developed during your participation in the program?
A: One of the key learnings was to understand how to design a process from its origin, not only from the code or the tool, but from the business logic and the user experience. I learned how to build flows step by step with Wizard, taking care of each stage, to ensure a clear, fluid and well-guided interaction.
I also worked a lot with dynamic forms, where each user decision could modify the behavior of the form, showing or hiding fields, and that taught me a lot about applied conditional logic.
In addition, I learned to document well what I was doing, to work with order and to see each flow as part of something bigger. More than tools, I developed a way of thinking focused on solving real problems, with efficiency and clarity.
How would you describe the experience of working with a technology company like MasterBase® during your training?
R: It was a very enriching experience. From the beginning I felt part of something important. I was not just "a student in practice", but someone who could contribute, propose and build.
What I highlight the most is the human and professional approach of the company: there was always willingness to guide me, but also to listen to me. In addition, working with tools and methodologies that are actually used in the working world gave me a much clearer vision of how the industry works and what is expected of a professional who wants to provide solutions. It was challenging, yes, but, precisely because of that, it was so formative.
What advice would you give to other students who are thinking of applying to this type of collaborative programs between educational institutions and companies?
R: My advice is simple: do it. Don't think twice. This type of program changes your perspective on what it means to be a student. It makes you feel professional from the very first moment, confronts you with real challenges and allows you to learn by doing, which, at the end of the day, is the best way to grow.
I would also tell them to dare to ask questions, to propose and to step out of their comfort zone. The practice is not just to comply, but to make the most of every tool and every conversation with those who know better. It's a unique opportunity to train yourself and make a real difference.
Why do you think more companies should join this type of alliance with educational institutions?
R: Because it's a win-win relationship. Companies receive motivated students, with fresh ideas, who are willing to learn and contribute. And students have the opportunity to get closer to the reality of professional work, with concrete challenges and real processes.
In addition, these alliances help to close the gap between academic training and what the market really needs. They train professionals who are better prepared, more aware of how an organization works and more capable of adapting to different environments. Hopefully more companies will join in, because the impact they can have on the training of future professionals is enormous.
How would you describe this internship experience and its value in your training process?
R: It was an experience that marked a before and after in my formative process. For the first time I felt that I was not just learning; I was producing something real, that could be used by others. It was not just about doing hours of practice, but about getting involved in complete functional flows, from design to final operation.
What would you highlight about the program and its impact on your development as a future professional?
R: I found the program very well thought out, because it combines autonomy with guidance, and that makes you really learn. You are not just replicating steps: you are proposing solutions, iterating on ideas, solving real problems.
Another aspect that stands out is that the program does not treat you as a student who merely helps, but as someone who can generate value. That completely changes the attitude with which one faces the job. I felt that my opinion was heard, that the processes I designed could be improved and that there was room to learn from mistakes, without fear. That confidence shapes you not only as a technician, but also as a professional who can adapt, propose and continue learning.
