Does your freshman CS major have an internship lined up?

[Anonymous]

Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

My DC graduated few years ago with CS/Econ and it would depend on the school.

If we are talking about the top 15 or so you should be concerned although not fatal.

If GMU or UVA etc. CS freshmen, no problem.

[Anonymous]

Yes mine does and will be getting paid very well for it too. I suggest your child try to do something to add to the CS resume this summer- whether it’s their own project, or volunteering their time to a company/org in need. Even just doing research for a professor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes mine does and will be getting paid very well for it too. I suggest your child try to do something to add to the CS resume this summer- whether it’s their own project, or volunteering their time to a company/org in need. Even just doing research for a professor.

OP here. Yes, they have an unpaid research project with a professor on campus, and yes, I told DC to work on something on their own over the summer.

What college is your kid at?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

My DC graduated few years ago with CS/Econ and it would depend on the school.

If we are talking about the top 15 or so you should be concerned although not fatal.

If GMU or UVA etc. CS freshmen, no problem.

It's UMD. Should we be worried?

[Anonymous]

Don't worry in the Freshmen year

[Anonymous]

Tech hiring has changed alot in recent years. It is not as easy as before. My DD continued her HS internship freshman summer. I would not worry at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

My DC graduated few years ago with CS/Econ and it would depend on the school.

If we are talking about the top 15 or so you should be concerned although not fatal.

If GMU or UVA etc. CS freshmen, no problem.

Curious on the logic here. Why is it concerning if you are in a top program, but not at a lower-ranked program.

Would think the lower-ranked program kids need to be more concerned with a real internship to distinguish themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

I hate to write this bluntly...but does your kid actually know how to do anything?

Tech startups where perhaps they can pay not that much are usually pretty welcoming if your kid can actually jump in and do something.

[Anonymous]

From what I understand most CS majors will not have something after freshman year. They just don’t have the skills to contribute yet.

My kids are not Cs but they both did have internships after freshman year though they were low paying and PT.

[Anonymous]

My engineering major was a boy scout camp counselor throughout college. That was a passion and he wanted to enjoy it while he could. If it came up in interviews that is what he said. He is a well paid engineer now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

The majority of our interns are coming off their sophomore or junior years. It’s hard to stand out as a freshman. I’d recommend getting involved with open source or other projects during the summer to build skills. It’s definitely harder right now to get internships now compared to the last few years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

My DC graduated few years ago with CS/Econ and it would depend on the school.

If we are talking about the top 15 or so you should be concerned although not fatal.

If GMU or UVA etc. CS freshmen, no problem.

Curious on the logic here. Why is it concerning if you are in a top program, but not at a lower-ranked program.

Would think the lower-ranked program kids need to be more concerned with a real internship to distinguish themselves.

I think the logic is at top ranked programs it’s much easier to get internships, so not having one might indicate that they’re near the bottom of their cohort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mine does not and is really upset. Thinks their career trajectory is now tanked. I told DC that most internships don't take freshmen, but DC said they know a few freshmen CS majors who have internships, and that things are different now... that if you don't have an internship by now, it will be harder to get one sophomore year.

DC has a summer job in retail lined up, so it's not like they will have nothing to do over the summer.

Tell me DC is wrong, and I'm right... please. I hope.

My DC graduated few years ago with CS/Econ and it would depend on the school.

If we are talking about the top 15 or so you should be concerned although not fatal.

If GMU or UVA etc. CS freshmen, no problem.

It's UMD. Should we be worried?

My UMD CS freshman doesn't have anything lined up either. Doesn't sound for lack of trying.

[Anonymous]

Very rare for freshmen of any major to land internships on their own. Some do have good internships but it is usually through connections. Tell your kid to relax. They will be just fine. Enjoy the summer and make some money working as a camp counselor or retail or restaurant, etc