From Interns to Engineers: Graham & Zoey’s Journey at Workhuman
At Workhuman, we love seeing our interns grow, thrive, and make an impact long after their placement ends. Today, we’re celebrating two amazing engineers who have done just that!
Graham Henderson, Software Engineer III and Zoey (Gongyu) Yang, Software Engineer III both began their Workhuman journeys as interns whilst still in college. After returning to complete their final year, they each chose to come back and have since built exciting careers on our engineering team.
Recently promoted in recognition of their continued growth and contributions, Graham and Zoey share what drew them to Workhuman, the moments that shaped their development and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Starting the Journey
Every career journey has a beginning, and for Graham and Zoey, it started with a curiosity about Workhuman’s culture and a desire to gain hands-on experience in tech. Internships offer the chance to explore, learn, and see if a company is the right fit.
Graham:
“For me, the real highlight was the people at Workhuman. I immediately noticed how friendly, intelligent, and like-minded everyone was. There was always someone willing to help, talk through technical challenges, and discuss the best approach, not just the ‘get it done’ mindset I was used to from college. It was refreshing to be surrounded by such a supportive and professional environment right from the start.”
Graham with his team
Zoey:
“When I applied for the internship, I was particularly drawn to Workhuman’s culture and the opportunity to grow as an engineer. My first impression on day one was excitement with a touch of nervousness. The team gave me a very warm welcome. Everyone was approachable and willing to share what they were working on, which helped me settle in quickly.”
Coming Back After College
After completing their final year of college, both Graham and Zoey knew they wanted to return to a place that had supported their growth as interns. They were drawn not just to the work, but to the people, culture, and opportunities for development that they had experienced firsthand.
Graham:
“What really drew me back was the way employees spoke about the company, always with genuine positivity. Seeing firsthand examples of other interns grow into full-time roles made me confident that Workhuman was the right place to start my career.”
Zoey:
“There was a moment when I realised this was where I wanted to begin my career. I started taking on more responsibility, and everyone trusted me with meaningful work. I felt supported, encouraged, and part of something bigger. Coming back felt like the natural next step.”
Zoey in our Workhuman Dublin Reception
Growing with Support
Transitioning from intern to full-time engineer can be challenging, especially when stepping into a completely new field. Graham, for example, had a career in retail before pursuing tech, while Zoey was eager to continue building her skills and confidence. Their managers and teams provided mentorship, guidance, and encouragement, helping them grow in technical ability, confidence, and independence.
Graham:
“Before joining Workhuman, I worked in retail for nine years. Stepping into a tech role was daunting. What really surprised me was how much my opinion was valued from day one. Having a voice and being truly listened to made me feel recognised, supported, and confident in my ability to grow.”
Zoey:
“The biggest change in my journey has been how much more confident and independent I’ve become. At the beginning, everything felt new and a bit overwhelming. Over time, I learned to solve problems proactively and communicate more effectively. One of the most surprising things is realizing how fast you can grow when you have meaningful opportunity and the right support.”
Graham and Zoey together
Highlights & Achievements
Early career milestones can define the trajectory of growth, and both Graham and Zoey have had standout projects that helped them develop their skills and confidence. Working on complex, high-impact projects gave them the chance to take ownership, learn from experienced mentors, and make tangible contributions to the company.
Graham:
“When I first joined Workhuman, I worked on a major project implementing Workhuman Reporting. We built everything from the ground up, and working closely with my mentor taught me so much, from technical skills to collaboration. I’ve now grown to a Level 3 Software Engineer, and the journey has been incredibly rewarding.”
Zoey:
“One of the biggest highlights for me has been taking full ownership of the Team View project. I handled the entire lifecycle, from breaking down requirements to implementing the backend code and coordinating the release. It taught me strong technical judgment and confidence in leading work independently.”
Zoey with her team at our Winter Celebration
Making an Impact
Both Graham and Zoey now play key roles in ensuring Workhuman delivers high-quality software that supports our clients. Their work goes beyond coding, it’s about supporting teams, improving processes, and ensuring the end product is reliable, scalable, and user-friendly.
Graham:
“I help drive the development process, mentor junior developers, and support technical decisions. Knowing that my input helps the team move faster and deliver high-quality features makes me feel like I’m making a real impact.”
Zoey:
“I write reliable and scalable code, improve performance, and collaborate closely with other teams. Strong backend services are essential for a seamless customer experience, so knowing my work contributes to both user satisfaction and business success is incredibly motivating.”
Fun Facts
Even as they’ve grown into their roles, Graham and Zoey haven’t lost their personal flair. From quirky habits to unique hobbies, they each have something special that makes them who they are.
Graham:
“I’m a huge Liverpool fan and enjoy gaming. I’ve also picked up painting Warhammer miniatures with friends, which is a fun creative outlet. Travel is a big hobby, I’ve explored Finland, Spain, Scotland, Germany, and most recently, spent a week travelling the southwest of Ireland in a camper van.”
Graham on his Campervan trip of Ireland
Zoey:
“I have a quirky habit from my internship: whenever I get stuck on a backend problem, I take a short break. Somehow, the solution often comes to me right after that pause.”
Advice for Future Interns
Graham and Zoey both emphasise the importance of curiosity, initiative, and building a strong foundation. Their advice reflects the mindset that helped them transition from interns to full-time engineers successfully.
Graham:
“My advice would be to focus on building projects alongside your studies. You can be the most passionate developer in the world, but without cool projects to showcase your skills and tell a compelling story during interviews, that passion and intelligence can easily be overlooked. Hands-on experience and a strong portfolio really help demonstrate what you’re capable of and make a strong impression on potential employers.”
Zoey:
“I would tell them to stay curious and be willing to learn. Asking questions and taking initiative can really help you grow in the role. It also helps to be reliable and communicate clearly with your team. Show that you can follow through on responsibilities and collaborate well with others.”
Looking Ahead
With their recent promotions, Graham and Zoey are excited about what the future holds. Both are motivated by continuous learning, growth, and the chance to make meaningful contributions to Workhuman and its clients.
Graham:
“What excites me most is that Workhuman is always growing, which opens huge opportunities for personal and professional development. As I gain more experience, the company consistently provides training, support, and guidance to help me grow alongside it. Being part of that journey and knowing there’s room to continuously learn and take on new challenges is incredibly motivating.”
Zoey:
“What excites me most is continuing to grow as an engineer and take on more meaningful work. I’m eager to deepen my technical skills. At the same time, I’m excited about being part of a company that values innovation, collaboration, and positive impacts in the workplace. It’s motivating to know that my contributions support a greater purpose and help move the organisation forward. I’m looking forward to building on this foundation.”
Thank you, Graham and Zoey, for sharing your journeys with us and congratulations again on your well-deserved promotions!
It’s inspiring to see how you’ve both grown from interns to full-time engineers, building your skills, confidence and careers along the way!
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