From software development to technical writing: Raisha’s internship story at ONLYOFFICE

Our Back to school series is back with another story from the ONLYOFFICE Internship Program. For students, internship is a good way to see what a particular field is really like, try out new things, and figure out where they want to go next.

In today’s interview, Raisha from Nepal shares her experience as a technical writing intern in the ONLYOFFICE team, the things she learned along the way, and what she would like to pursue next.

Personal background

Please briefly introduce yourself.

I’m Raisha, a software developer turned technical writer from Bhaktapur, Nepal. I recently completed my Bachelor of Computer Applications, and I’ve been working as a technical writing intern at ONLYOFFICE. I mainly work with GitHub Readme and the ONLYOFFICE Help Center, keeping the documentation up-to-date, accurate, and easy to read.

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

It grew out of my studies, but also out of trying very different things and noticing what actually lit me up. I’ve worn a few hats: I did a communications internship at Women LEAD Nepal, and I also worked as a software developer intern, building a handful of projects along the way. The tech side came naturally from my background, but during my degree, I often felt a little boxed in. There wasn’t much room for creativity. And I’m a deeply creative person, so I kept looking for a way to express that. Somewhere in there, I started connecting the dots. I’d always loved journaling and writing; I had the technical foundation, and I’d tasted the world of communications too. Technical writing sat right where all of those met, and it just fit.

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

If I had to name one person, it would be Hima Bista, the Executive Director of Women LEAD Nepal, where I did my communications internship. She’s a fierce, unapologetic advocate for women’s rights, bold and full of conviction, and watching her work up close showed me what it looks like to lead with both strength and heart. She taught me that your voice is worth using, and that has stayed with me in everything I write.

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

Two things my team might not know. First, I’m a trained classical dancer. It’s been part of my life since childhood, and some of my earliest memories are of me dancing.

And second, I work remotely with a very loyal colleague by my side: my cocker spaniel, Kuki. He supervises most of my workday. He’s no help at all with documentation, but he’s excellent company.

ONLYOFFICE experience

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

What surprised me most was how well a globally distributed team can work together. People are working from different countries, time zones, and backgrounds, but everyone still manages to collaborate and get things done.

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

Working remotely, most of my connection with the team came through small chats here and there, and those little moments of encouragement and shared excitement meant a lot. My most memorable ONLYOFFICE moment, though, actually came before I even joined. The first time I ever heard of ONLYOFFICE was at UbuCon Asia 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal’s first Ubuntu conference, where ONLYOFFICE was one of the sponsors and one of their technical writers and evangelists spoke. I had no idea then that I’d soon be part of the same company. Looking back, that full-circle moment still feels a little magical.

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

The idea of being goal-oriented rather than time-controlled really suits me. There’s no strict clock-in culture, so you’re trusted to manage your own work and meet your goals.

Of course, that also means you need to be disciplined and responsible with your time. But I like that balance of freedom and responsibility, especially when you’re working with people from different parts of the world.

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

If I had to describe my internship at ONLYOFFICE in three words, they would be:

• Freedom: The flexibility in how and what I worked on let me take initiative and spark creativity.
• Growth: When I started, I didn’t even know where to begin with technical documentation. Now I run audits independently, and my skills have come a long way.
• Clarity: It’s the thing I chase in every document, and it’s what this internship gave me about the kind of work I want to do next.

How has this internship influenced your career goals?

This internship made me more confident about choosing technical writing as a career. I came in with a software development background, but I wasn’t completely sure where I wanted to take it.

Working on real documentation showed me that I enjoy being at the intersection of technology and writing. It also made me interested in exploring AI and open-source communities, which is where I’d like to take my career next.

Skill development and motivation

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

I’m proud of the documentation audit work I’ve done, going through Help Center articles, catching bugs, errors, and inconsistencies, and making the content genuinely clearer. It’s been so much fun, honestly. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching messy, complex text turn into something anyone can follow. That work taught me how much words can impact people and how clarity is a kind of care.

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

I’ve become really comfortable with a range of documentation tools and workflows, and I’ve learned to use AI thoughtfully as part of my process to draft and refine faster while keeping judgment and accuracy by my own. But the biggest lesson wasn’t a tool. It was learning that simple, clear words beat fancy ones every time. Complex vocabulary doesn’t make you sound smart; it just builds a barrier. Writing something a child or a teenager could understand is far harder and far more valuable. That mindset will stay with me for my whole career.

How do you stay motivated and productive during remote work?

To stay motivated and productive during remote work, I set a structured daily routine with clear goals and deadlines. I also create a dedicated workspace free from distractions and take short breaks to stay focused.

Future plans

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

My dream is to work as an AI technical author and to be part of an open-source community; that’s something I’ve always wanted. Whether it’s an AI technical author role, a developer relations engineer role, or even an AI/ML engineer role, I want to work somewhere that blends writing, technology, and community and where documentation is treated as something that truly matters.

Join ONLYOFFICE Intern Program

Interested in getting practical experience or starting your career? The ONLYOFFICE Internship Program gives students and young professionals the opportunity to work on real projects alongside an international team.

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