If I Wanted a Software Engineering Internship in 2025, I’d Do This

Summary

This video offers an 8-week guide for landing a big tech software engineering internship in the summer of 2025. The host, a Georgia Tech computer science graduate, outlines steps including working on personal projects, crafting a strong resume, networking effectively on LinkedIn, and preparing for behavioral and technical interviews. The guide emphasizes project-based experience, the importance of referrals, and targeted interview preparation. Additionally, the host advises against salary negotiation without competing offers and recommends pre-internship preparation by connecting with your future manager.

Takeaways

• 😀 Start with simple projects like a calculator in Java or a to-do list in Python to build foundational coding skills.
• 💡 Move on to more advanced projects such as a full-stack web application or a machine learning project using datasets from Kaggle.
• 📄 Focus on resume formatting and tailor your resume by removing the start date of your education and highlighting technical experiences.
• 🔗 Networking is crucial; use LinkedIn to connect with professionals at your target companies and seek referrals.
• 💼 Apply for internships using resources like Notify, Levels.fyi, LinkedIn, and direct company searches for open positions.
• 🗣 Prepare for behavioral interviews by having stories ready for each experience listed on your resume and understanding leadership principles.
• 💻 Technical interview preparation involves mastering data structures, algorithms, and practicing coding problems on platforms like LeetCode.
• 📚 Use GeeksforGeeks for optimal solutions to coding problems and to learn from various coding languages and visual diagrams.
• 💼 Do not negotiate salary for internships unless you have a significant competing offer; focus on gaining experience.
• 🎉 After receiving an offer, celebrate your achievement and then proactively reach out to your manager to prepare for your upcoming internship.

Q & A

What is the recommended first step for a college student seeking a software engineering internship?

The first step is to work on projects, as they serve as experiences before getting formal work experience. For beginners, simple projects like a calculator in Java or a to-do list in Python are suggested.

What are the two advanced projects recommended for students with some coding experience?

The two advanced projects recommended are a full-stack web application, such as a Pomodoro timer for project management, and a machine learning project using a dataset from kaggle.com, like predicting COVID-19 deaths.

Why is it important to have good formatting on a resume when applying for internships?

Good formatting is crucial because it makes the resume visually appealing and easy to read, which can significantly impact the first impression on recruiters.

What is one tip for improving the chances of getting hired as a freshman or sophomore?

Removing the start date of education and only including the expected graduation date from the resume can help, as companies tend to avoid hiring freshmen and sophomores.

Why should high school experiences be excluded from a resume when applying for tech internships?

High school experiences should be excluded unless they are highly technical, as they do not add significant technical value to the application, which is what tech companies are primarily interested in.

How can including numbers on a resume help when applying for internships?

Including numbers can make a resume more impactful as it quantifies achievements and experiences, drawing the attention of recruiters.

What is the significance of networking in the process of landing an internship, and how should it be approached?

Networking is significant because it can lead to referrals, which are crucial in a competitive job market. It should be approached by making genuine connections and asking for informational interviews, which can potentially lead to referrals.

Why is it recommended not to apply for a job without a referral?

Applying without a referral can be disadvantageous as referrals can significantly increase the chances of getting noticed and selected in a competitive internship application process.

What are some resources mentioned for finding open internship positions?

Some resources mentioned include Notiv, Level.fy/internships, LinkedIn, and Google searches for specific company and role combinations.

How should one prepare for behavioral interviews when applying for internships?

One should prepare by having a good personality, knowing everything on their resume, and being familiar with leadership principles that align with the company's values, such as Amazon's 14 leadership principles.

What is the recommended approach for technical interview preparation?

The recommended approach is to first learn every data structure and algorithm, practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, and use resources like GeeksforGeeks for optimized solutions when stuck.

What advice is given regarding salary negotiations for internship offers?

It's advised not to negotiate salary unless there is a significant competing offer, as the risk of losing the internship offer may outweigh the potential salary increase.

What should a student do after receiving an internship offer but before starting the internship?

After receiving an offer, a student should relax and celebrate, and then reach out to their recruiter to connect with their future manager, allowing them to mentally prepare and possibly start learning about the technology they will be working with.