4 answers
Jayden
Student
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1
Question
Asked
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How do I get a tech internship as a Junior in college?
I’ve been trying to figure out which internships I have a high chance of getting. I don’t have that much time as internships have already opened. The languages I know are HTML5, JavaScript and Python. Where should I go to find better opportunities.
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4 answers
Adit Sheth
Senior Software Engineer
134
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Adit’s Answer
To secure a tech internship while you're in your third year of college, you can use your existing know-how in HTML5, JavaScript, and Python to your advantage. Here's how to boost your chances in a friendly way:
Spruce Up Your Resume & LinkedIn: Customize your resume to spotlight your programming talents, academic projects, and any personal initiatives. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is current, as it's a popular hunting ground for recruiters.
Tap into Job Boards & Networks: Check out platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, and AngelList for tech internships. Consider joining coding communities on GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Reddit for networking.
Visit Company Websites & Career Fairs: Submit your application directly on company websites for internships and participate in virtual or physical career fairs to interact with recruiters.
Polish Your Portfolio: Flaunt your skills with a portfolio featuring personal projects, contributions to open-source, or freelance gigs to show your experience beyond your studies.
Use University Resources: Reach out to your school’s career center for internship listings and advice. Some universities also collaborate with companies offering internship chances to students.
Remember, persistence and networking can be game-changers, so keep on applying and building relationships with professionals in the industry!
Spruce Up Your Resume & LinkedIn: Customize your resume to spotlight your programming talents, academic projects, and any personal initiatives. Ensure your LinkedIn profile is current, as it's a popular hunting ground for recruiters.
Tap into Job Boards & Networks: Check out platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, Indeed, and AngelList for tech internships. Consider joining coding communities on GitHub, Stack Overflow, or Reddit for networking.
Visit Company Websites & Career Fairs: Submit your application directly on company websites for internships and participate in virtual or physical career fairs to interact with recruiters.
Polish Your Portfolio: Flaunt your skills with a portfolio featuring personal projects, contributions to open-source, or freelance gigs to show your experience beyond your studies.
Use University Resources: Reach out to your school’s career center for internship listings and advice. Some universities also collaborate with companies offering internship chances to students.
Remember, persistence and networking can be game-changers, so keep on applying and building relationships with professionals in the industry!
Niall Hayes
1
Answer
Updated
Niall’s Answer
I concur with the previous responses. It's all about showcasing yourself effectively and positively. Emphasize how you've incorporated company resources in your school projects. Develop a project that aligns well with the internship you're pursuing. There's a plethora of self-help tools provided by tech companies that you can use for free - demonstrating your interest in a company by utilizing their tools to construct an app or tool can be quite impressive. I recall my time at ElectronicArts years ago when a successful candidate built a website titled WhyIWantToWorkAtEA.com, a unique approach indeed. You might also consider exploring opportunities within your school, such as assisting a tutor or working at the student union or one of the computer science labs.
Keep your spirits high during your search and best of luck!
Keep your spirits high during your search and best of luck!
Jonathan Willard
Software Engineer
5
Answers
Hopatcong, New Jersey
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
I agree with Adit’s answer, in that you should polish up your Linked in and work on presenting yourself for networking. The skill of resume building is very valuable when it comes time to apply for a full-time job as well.
As is the case when applying for full-time jobs, the more applications you submit the better chances you have. I would try to apply to as many internships as you can find. This will definitely increase your odds of success. Finding an internship that you are guaranteed to get isn't as important as finding the one you would truly enjoy so that you could learn as much as possible. For the ones you identify that you would really like, if you would really excited to work at the company, I would spend a little more time when applying to express your deep interest in working there in any cover letters you write.
Get your LinkedIn up to date and accurate
Search LinkedIn for all possible opportunities
Apply for your first internship, creating a template for a cover letter
Repeat and apply for any company you would be interested in working with
As is the case when applying for full-time jobs, the more applications you submit the better chances you have. I would try to apply to as many internships as you can find. This will definitely increase your odds of success. Finding an internship that you are guaranteed to get isn't as important as finding the one you would truly enjoy so that you could learn as much as possible. For the ones you identify that you would really like, if you would really excited to work at the company, I would spend a little more time when applying to express your deep interest in working there in any cover letters you write.
Jonathan recommends the following next steps:
Benjamin Steinig
Software Engineer
1
Answer
San Francisco, California
Updated
Benjamin’s Answer
I wouldn't worry too much about internships applications already being open, many tech companies open their applications on a rolling basis, meaning there are still more internships opening up in the winter and spring! That being said, I highly recommend getting out there and starting to apply as soon as possible, more often than not software internships are a numbers game, and the more places you apply to the more likely you are to find a good fit for you.
To speak more on your point of finding an internship that suits your interests in software engineering, I would refer to the previous response from Niall, working on personal projects can not only help your resume stand out, but also gives you insight into what kind of software engineering you enjoy the most. Lastly, internships are all about learning! My first internship was all about low level automotive controller programming. And, while I did learn a lot on the job, I also learned that I didn't want to pursue low-level programming. You can use any internship opportunities you get to help you narrow down what your ideal software engineering career looks like!
To speak more on your point of finding an internship that suits your interests in software engineering, I would refer to the previous response from Niall, working on personal projects can not only help your resume stand out, but also gives you insight into what kind of software engineering you enjoy the most. Lastly, internships are all about learning! My first internship was all about low level automotive controller programming. And, while I did learn a lot on the job, I also learned that I didn't want to pursue low-level programming. You can use any internship opportunities you get to help you narrow down what your ideal software engineering career looks like!