Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to tell DC that credits mean nothing for internships. The vast majority of their credits is in GE classes (thanks to a ton of APs and the like). They are taking 200 level CS courses, but still doesn't mean much for internships.

I think OP is wrong and DC is more correct. Look into government sector STEM internships (see above) and also other STEM internship options at places like Aerospace Corp or MITRE or JHU/APL. If DC works at it, and puts together a focused resume (see above) then there still is a decent chance.

Should say “CS and ECE” instead of “C” just above. Typo

Anonymous wrote:Mine is a freshman with over 60 credits and 4.0. Nothing lined up but still looking. It’s rough out there. Might be looking at continuing to work on a research project and lifeguarding.

OP here. DC also has over 60 credits. I think this is part of why DC is anxious? They feel they are more like a sophomore than a freshman, maybe.

I'm trying to tell DC that credits mean nothing for internships. The vast majority of their credits is in GE classes (thanks to a ton of APs and the like). They are taking 200 level CS courses, but still doesn't mean much for internships.

How to convince DC, though.

Federal Government will hire a bunch of C undergrads snd high school students this summer. Those opportunities are usually posted in October at “USAjobs.gov”. Different government components will have different timelines, some might have passed by now.

Locally, ARL in Adelphi and NIST in G’birg will hire a bunch. For Navy sites in the area, which also will hire many, first look here: “ https://navalstem.us/”. Most Federal internships in this area will *require* US Citizenship by law, but exceptions exist.

If your DC does not have a STEM internship, and if application deadlines have passed, then DC should (1) put together a resume (resume should focus on specific STEM skills, such as: knows how to use Linux, Windows, MacOS; can program in Python, R, Perl, C, Java, or whatever; and list specific CS or ECE courses completed with a GPA; and explicitly say at the bottom of the resume either “US Citizen” or “US Permanent Resident; XYZ citizen” whichever is correct - and then (2) contact the various HR departments for the Federal STEm organizations within practical commute radius and submit a resume. One never knows, something might open up.

Also, in some cases a government entity will bring on an interesting student as a contractor (e.g., if one missed the deadlines or their hiring process is too messy). Even in those cases, they usually get the resumes of candidates from their government HR office internally.

Startups will frequently take kids for internships even last minute - look there.

Imo even top CS schools do a bad job preparing students to get internships.

In my opinion, for big tech internships, Leetcode >>> everything else. Also networking for referrals is very very important.

For small to mid sized companies AWS certifications and related professional certs make people stand out.

Unfortunately a CS degree alone doesn’t mean much anymore.

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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.

Is it really “much easier” to get an internship from UMD vs UVA for CS?

Definitely much easier from CM

Meaning Carnegie Mellon? What does that have to do with PP comparing UMD to UVA.

Northeastern mom here. Our DC is technically a sophomore due to number of credits he got, but this is his first year, but he has one for the first semester of next year. He found about it when the professor brought in 8 companies representatives to his co-op class, and applied to all 8. Pay isn't that great but that's okay with him.

Don't worry, but also don't give up on something substantive for the summer. They should try to get a resume line so they have something to talk about at interviews, even if it's part time research with a professor.

Anonymous wrote: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.

Very, very cool.

Anonymous wrote:Don't worry in the Freshmen year

+ 1 million. Treat your anxiety and your kid’s. That will be more career limiting than lack of a freshman internship. Sheesh!

Mine is a freshman with over 60 credits and 4.0. Nothing lined up but still looking. It’s rough out there. Might be looking at continuing to work on a research project and lifeguarding.

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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.

OP here. DC went to all of the internship fairs, but said they don't seem to be all that interested.

DC said someone at the internship fair said most of their internships are filled by November. If that's the case, why do they have one in the spring?

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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.

Yes, I told DC the same.

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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.

Is it really “much easier” to get an internship from UMD vs UVA for CS?

Definitely much easier from CM

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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.

Is it really “much easier” to get an internship from UMD vs UVA for CS?