4 ms·

When I graduated (5-10 years ago) internships were the best way to grain experience and stand out a bit above the rest in the full time hiring portion. 1. The

When I graduated (5-10 years ago) internships were the best way to grain experience and stand out a bit above the rest in the full time hiring portion. 1. The company that hired the interns received a fantastic deal on labor. I think the company that hired me did it because they had an extra fully equipped desk that was going to waste without someone coding on it. 2. Not every student earned an internship, so gaining one was real feather in the hat. 3. Not every intern would have accomplished the same amount. Just like school and life, the more you put into an internship the more you get out. 4. It jump started my professional network of people actually in industry.

Kye 5y ago
The hard part is finding one that's paid, or pays enough. Most people can't afford to do un(der)paid labor for the prospect of maybe, possibly, but maybe not getting a job. Being able to do unpaid labor selects for people with other things working in their favor.
- sgerenser 5y ago
  Almost all tech internships are paid (for people with CS or engineering majors). Only really shady companies would try to get away with not paying a technical intern. In most cases these folks are doing real work, not just fetching coffee.
- Kadin 5y ago
  Most tech internships are paid. Someone in a CS program at a recognizable school with a strong program should definitely not be signing up for unpaid internships (at least not at for-profit corps). I just finished supervising the summer interns embedded with my team at work, and we definitely paid everyone, allowed remote work, and brought everyone into the HQ for a week towards the end (flights, hotel, transpo, meals all comped) to give presentations, network in person with the team, do field trips / team building stuff, etc. I like to think we do a better-than-average job, but it's pretty close to what you need to be doing if you want to attract good talent to your internship program.
cpach 5y ago
Internships is a good thing, if the terms are reasonable. But IMHO there should also be other ways to get a foot in the door.

Kye 5y ago

The hard part is finding one that's paid, or pays enough. Most people can't afford to do un(der)paid labor for the prospect of maybe, possibly, but maybe not getting a job. Being able to do unpaid labor selects for people with other things working in their favor.

sgerenser 5y ago
Almost all tech internships are paid (for people with CS or engineering majors). Only really shady companies would try to get away with not paying a technical intern. In most cases these folks are doing real work, not just fetching coffee.
Kadin 5y ago
Most tech internships are paid. Someone in a CS program at a recognizable school with a strong program should definitely not be signing up for unpaid internships (at least not at for-profit corps). I just finished supervising the summer interns embedded with my team at work, and we definitely paid everyone, allowed remote work, and brought everyone into the HQ for a week towards the end (flights, hotel, transpo, meals all comped) to give presentations, network in person with the team, do field trips / team building stuff, etc. I like to think we do a better-than-average job, but it's pretty close to what you need to be doing if you want to attract good talent to your internship program.

cpach 5y ago

Internships is a good thing, if the terms are reasonable. But IMHO there should also be other ways to get a foot in the door.