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I wish someone had given me this useful advice back when I was a sophomore.. oh wait, thanks! It's really good advice, IMHO. With regards to the first point...

I wish someone had given me this useful advice back when I was a sophomore.. oh wait, thanks! It's really good advice, IMHO. With regards to the first point... Most companies here (Pakistan) are in the web/mobile app development business or developing CRUD apps for clients. While I don't necessarily think that's bad, I'd prefer doing something more innovative or interesting, possibly AI, data mining, or just something that's good on the social/humanitarian front. What I'm wondering is, how can someone like me have a chance of getting an internship at a place doing something really useful or innovative? Getting a visa would be difficult for just an internship.

paulbaumgart 16y ago
Yeah, the US visa system sucks. Maybe there are some countries in Europe that are more sane about it? Otherwise, Google Summer of Code is probably a good bet for doing something worthwhile without one.
- mhlakhani 16y ago
  I think a company wouldn't want to go through the bother of issuing a visa just for an intern. The problem with GSoC is that it doesn't count as an internship for companies that need one. Or meeting my university's requirement for an internship, although that requirement could be fought against.
  - paulbaumgart 16y ago
    Try to avoid companies that would value a run-of-the-mill internship over a highly productive GSoC. :) On the subject of visas: I know that in the US, if you come on a student visa, there are certain allowances for summer internships in technical fields. Your local consulate should know the details.
    - mhlakhani 16y ago
      I don't have a student visa unfortunately. Time to build an open source portfolio and get in line for GSoC... Any suggestions? I have a few small useful scripts that I've written over the years but they're not of good quality to release. Should I work on those or find some project to work on?
      - paulbaumgart 16y ago
        Here's a list of last summer's mentoring organizations: http://socghop.appspot.com/gsoc/program/accepted_orgs/google/gsoc2010 http://socghop.appspot.com/gsoc/program/accepted_orgs/google... I haven't done it myself, so I don't know if my advice is any good, but I'd suggest picking one that interests you and getting started fixing bugs as soon as possible. And when you have a chance, double-check that they intend to take part this summer, too. A friend of mine did GSoC a few summers ago. If you like, send me an email and I'll put you in touch.
        mhlakhani 16y ago
        Browsing through that list now... I'm not sure but I think someone from my uni did GSoC last year, I'll try finding out about that first. Thanks anyway!
jamii 16y ago
The US has a class of visas (J1) specifically for trainees and interns. I don't think they are capped like the H1B so they should be easier to get.

paulbaumgart 16y ago

Yeah, the US visa system sucks. Maybe there are some countries in Europe that are more sane about it? Otherwise, Google Summer of Code is probably a good bet for doing something worthwhile without one.

mhlakhani 16y ago
I think a company wouldn't want to go through the bother of issuing a visa just for an intern. The problem with GSoC is that it doesn't count as an internship for companies that need one. Or meeting my university's requirement for an internship, although that requirement could be fought against.
- paulbaumgart 16y ago
  Try to avoid companies that would value a run-of-the-mill internship over a highly productive GSoC. :) On the subject of visas: I know that in the US, if you come on a student visa, there are certain allowances for summer internships in technical fields. Your local consulate should know the details.
  - mhlakhani 16y ago
    I don't have a student visa unfortunately. Time to build an open source portfolio and get in line for GSoC... Any suggestions? I have a few small useful scripts that I've written over the years but they're not of good quality to release. Should I work on those or find some project to work on?
    - paulbaumgart 16y ago
      Here's a list of last summer's mentoring organizations: http://socghop.appspot.com/gsoc/program/accepted_orgs/google/gsoc2010 http://socghop.appspot.com/gsoc/program/accepted_orgs/google... I haven't done it myself, so I don't know if my advice is any good, but I'd suggest picking one that interests you and getting started fixing bugs as soon as possible. And when you have a chance, double-check that they intend to take part this summer, too. A friend of mine did GSoC a few summers ago. If you like, send me an email and I'll put you in touch.
      - mhlakhani 16y ago
        Browsing through that list now... I'm not sure but I think someone from my uni did GSoC last year, I'll try finding out about that first. Thanks anyway!

jamii 16y ago

The US has a class of visas (J1) specifically for trainees and interns. I don't think they are capped like the H1B so they should be easier to get.