Bridging tech and language: Chen Sisi shares her internship experience at ONLYOFFICE

We continue our series of interviews with the amazing interns who help us make ONLYOFFICE better and better every single day. Today, Chen Sisi from China shares her story and offers a glimpse into what her internship with ONLYOFFICE is like. Read on to learn more.

Personal background

Please briefly introduce yourself.

Hi everyone! I’m Chen Sisi. During my undergraduate years, I majored in Computer Science and Technology, and I’m currently working as a technical writing and translation intern at ONLYOFFICE. My daily tasks include localizing Help Center articles, technical blog posts, as well as the official website and the ONLYOFFICE suite interface into Chinese.

As the “wordsmith” among programmers, I specialize in transforming complex technical concepts into clear and accessible text. This ability has helped me carve out a unique role within the team.

What was your inspiration behind pursuing this particular career path or field of study?

In my sophomore year, I happened to join a campus open-source project, where I was responsible for translating technical documentation into Chinese. The experience sparked my interest in technical communication. I came to realize that it’s not just about transferring knowledge, but also about bridging the gap between innovation and users.

My background in computer science equips me with the skills to understand complex technologies, and through translation I can present them in a way that’s accessible to users from different language and cultural backgrounds. Knowing that the API documents I translated help developers quickly get up to speed gives me a deep sense of accomplishment. It is just as rewarding as writing the core code itself.

The one person (a mentor, teacher or public figure) who has influenced your professional journey so far?

My computer algorithms professor has a profound impact on how I view my career. He often said, “Top-tier engineers don’t just write code that machines can understand. More importantly, they write out ideas that humans can grasp,” and he encouraged us to discover and solve problems through hands-on practice. This made me realize that no matter which career we’re in, we should always strive to make technology truly serve people. It is the very philosophy that always makes me feel motivated in technical translation and localization.

What’s a fun or quirky fact about you that your team might not know?

I’m actually a huge fan of detective fiction, especially Agatha Christie’s works. Whenever I feel stressed, I like to pick up one of her novels and imagine myself solving a murder case over a lovely afternoon tea with Miss Marple—graceful yet sharp, giving my brain a logical deep-clean.

ONLYOFFICE experience

What’s the one surprising thing you discovered about ONLYOFFICE after joining?

I initially thought a remote internship might feel isolating, but to my surprise, the team turned out to be incredibly warm and welcoming, with open and efficient communication. What impressed me even more was that, even as an intern, I was encouraged to share ideas on product features and marketing initiatives — and some of my localization suggestions were even adopted directly. The sense of being valued went far beyond what I expected from a traditional internship.

Have you had any memorable moments with your team or fellow interns?

Although most of the work is remote, there have still been many memorable moments. On International Women’s Day, the company thoughtfully sent shopping cards to the female interns. Right before the Spring Festival, we also received small New Year gifts — branded ONLYOFFICE sweatshirts. The moment I opened the package, I truly felt like part of the team. That sense of belonging and being valued is especially precious in a global, tech-driven environment.

Is there a particular value or practice at ONLYOFFICE that resonates with you?

ONLYOFFICE’s philosophy of “collaboration without borders” really struck a chord with me. As a remote intern, I was initially worried about being sidelined. But on my very first day, I was invited to DocSpace to collaborate with the team, where I could easily access detailed project records and stay in sync. Every piece I submitted — no matter how small — received thoughtful comments from my mentors. Even minor punctuation tweaks came with clear explanations.

I still remember one time when I mistranslated a technical term. Instead of simply pointing out the mistake, Alina, my mentor, sent me a snippet of product code and patiently explained the logic behind it. This “teach-a-person-to-fish” approach to collaboration made remote work not only efficient but also warm and supportive.

If you could describe your internship experience in three words, what would they be and why?

Growth, connection, reflection.

• Growth because when I first started, I didn’t even know where to begin with technical documentation, but now I can handle translations independently and my professional skills have improved significantly.
• Connection because remote collaboration helped me build a strong rapport with the team and gain valuable insights into how people work across different cultures.
• Reflection because the lessons and insights I’ve gathered from translation work and collaboration have deepened my understanding of how technology and language intersect, leaving me with growth that feels far more meaningful than anything I could list on my resume.

How has this internship influenced your career goals?

My internship at ONLYOFFICE made me realize that technical communication is the long-term path I want to pursue.

I had initially planned to work in backend development, but now I’m more drawn to becoming a “translator” between products and users. Just as ONLYOFFICE connects different office platforms, I want to bridge the gap between complex technologies and everyday users.

Skill development and motivation

Can you share a project you worked on during your internship that you’re particularly proud of?

I’m currently working on localizing the ONLYOFFICE Help Center guides. Although the project is still in progress, I know it will provide Chinese users with clearer and more accessible instructions.

What makes this project especially meaningful to me is how directly it impacts the user experience — it’s not just about translation, but about helping people truly understand and use the product. Every time I think about a future user getting started with ONLYOFFICE more smoothly because of our localized content — and maybe even choosing it as their go-to office suite — I feel a deep sense of pride.

For me, it isn’t just a translation task; it’s about building a genuine and meaningful connection between myself, the product, and its users.

What tools or skills have you picked up that you think will be useful in your future career?

One of the most practical takeaways from my internship has been learning how to use collaboration tools effectively. For example, the real-time co-editing feature in the ONLYOFFICE editors made it easy to track each contributor’s changes and significantly reduced version conflicts. The user permission management in DocSpace also helped streamline our teamwork and keep projects running smoothly.

This experience taught me that document translation isn’t just about language proficiency — it also requires strong collaboration and workflow management skills. It’s a valuable lesson that I know will benefit my long-term professional growth.

How do you stay motivated and productive during remote work?

I use the Pomodoro Technique to break my tasks into manageable chunks. Each day, I prioritize my tasks and schedule Pomodoro sessions to keep my focus and productivity high. After every four Pomodoros, I reward myself with a short reading break — usually a detective story. This balance between work and personal interests helps me stay motivated and engaged throughout my internship.

Future plans

What’s your dream job or company (besides ONLYOFFICE, of course)?

Apart from ONLYOFFICE, I’ve always been drawn to working in open-source communities. In the open-source world, technical documentation and multilingual translation play a vital role in connecting developers across the globe — which is exactly what I’m passionate about. I also love the collaborative culture of open-source communities, built on transparency and sharing, as it’s very similar to what I experienced at ONLYOFFICE and deeply aligns with my values.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Over the next five years, I’d like to stay open and growth-oriented rather than sticking to a fixed path. I hope each decision I make will build on what I’ve learned so far and be guided by curiosity and a desire to explore new fields.

Maybe I’ll continue to deepen my expertise in technical translation and grow into an independent professional writer. Or perhaps I’ll take a more creative turn and start writing my own detective novels. Wherever the future leads, I want to hold on to my love for words, my attention to detail, and my passion for continuous learning.

Join our team

Want to join our team as an intern? Send your resume and cover letter to marketing@onlyoffice.com and indicate “job title + your name” in the email subject. We would love to hear from you!

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