Hi, welcome to a thrilling article on CS internship.
Reading this guide to the end will give your first-hand knowledge about the types of CS internships, what you can do to get one, the benefits of internships, and how much CS interns make.
Specifically, we’ll expound on the following:
- What is a computer science internship?
- Types of internships for computer science majors
- Finding a computer science internship
- CS intern work environment and salary
- Benefits of computer science internship
Let’s get started.
What Is a Computer Science Internship?
A computer science internship is a full-time or part-time job where CS students gain training and mentorship on what they learned on campus from a real-world organization.
An internship is an opportunity for students to merge coursework with practical work and earn academic credit while at it.
During the internship, students are paired with an experienced Engineer to guide them on the technical aspects of computer science projects.
The supervisor acts as a mentor, helping interns execute and manage the projects.
An internship allows computer science students to learn the responsibilities that come with the profession.
They discover their working style and team dynamics that best fit their style.
Through an internship, a CS student can discover whether computer science is a good fit for them.
Additionally, it’s an opportunity to learn about the technology industry and explore the career paths available in the computer science field.
Types of Internship for Computer Science Majors
Computer science students can work in different roles during their internship period.
Here is an overview of the types of internships a CS student can expect to get.
Information Security Intern
Protecting confidential information is a crucial aspect of every organization.
And so, information security interns examine the security challenges an organization faces and the possible strategies to avert the security risks.
These interns learn how information technology is crucial in protecting the company’s data.
Information security internship is mostly available in the finance and healthcare industries, where there’s a need to use information science to protect sensitive financial information and patient records.
Product Management Intern
Product management is yet another internship opportunity for CS students that is increasingly becoming popular.
Computer science interns work with a team of engineers from the ideation stage to product development and commercialization.
They help develop the roadmap and strategies to ensure a specific product comes to life.
Product management interns help with the QA for testing the product.
They may be tasked with researching the market and finding the best strategies to market the product.
In essence, they bridge the gap between engineers and the marketing team.
Full-Stack Software Engineering Intern
A full-stack software engineering internship provides an opportunity for CS students to gain experience in front-end and back-end technologies.
While working in the back-end, interns learn how data flows through the application or website and how it’s transferred and displayed.
They learn how the back end powers the application to allow the customer to interact with the app.
As they progress through the internship, they learn how technology is involved in the back-end and front-end.
They are better equipped to optimize the systems to boost performance.
Full-stack software engineering internship opportunities are excellent options for graduate students seeking to gain hands-on experience in building an end-to-end future.
Data Scientist Intern
Data scientist internship opportunities equip interns with the knowledge to perform statistical analysis and modeling to discover new insights into customer needs, which helps optimize the business.
Interns use data science to profile customers and better understand them.
They conduct segmentation and quantitive analysis to provide insights and predictions that the business uses to scale.
Data Engineering Intern
Data engineering interns work hand in hand with data scientists interns.
Their job description involves the application of data science and data engineering to develop systems that enable the effective processing of large amounts of data.
They collect, store and process data so that others, especially data scientists, can analyze and interpret the data.
Data engineers’ main job is to convert data into information that a company can use to improve its operation.
Back-End Engineering Intern
Back-end engineering internship programs are designed for interns interested in learning how the server-side of a website or application works.
These interns use programming languages such as Java, Python, and Ruby to design, build and maintain a website or application.
To build an effective software application or a website, interns write the code that suits the project and tests it to confirm whether it’s robust.
Further, they review the code to find any errors that may cause it to crush and fix them.
Back-end engineering interns are trained to understand the nuances of software development to build a robust structure for a software application.
Front-End Engineering Intern
While back-end interns work on the server-side of an application/website, front-end interns work on the portion of the website or application which users interact with.
These interns gain practical experience writing code in JavaScript, CSS, and HTML.
Their goal is to ensure a positive user experience.
The internship provides an opportunity for computer interns to learn how to test and debug codes for an immersive user experience.
At the end of it all, they’ll have developed a solid experience by working on challenging application and web development projects.
Mobile Engineering Intern
Mobile engineering interns work with mobile technology that is iOS or Android.
An intern can work with one or more mobile technologies, in which case they have to learn multiple types of codes since the different mobile technologies use different codes.
Depending on an intern’s work, they may gain both front-end and back-end experience.
Android Engineering Intern
Android engineering interns work on developing Android applications.
They define, design, and build applications for android mobile technology.
To develop the applications, interns work with engineers from different departments.
Hence, communication skills are paramount.
Further, interns gain practical experience from the definition stage of the product development to the implementation and commercialization.
iOS Engineering Intern
iOS engineering internship opportunities provide experience in developing applications for Apple.
Interns develop applications using Swift, XCode, and even React Native, which gives them experience in both front-end and back-end development of an application.
iOS engineering interns must cultivate patience as developing and publishing an app to the app store takes several steps.
The different internship opportunities provide interns with real-world experience, depending on their chosen path.
These opportunities seal in the theoretical knowledge gained during the degree program and set up computer science interns on a career advancement path.
By the end of the summer internship program, they have real work experience that will come in handy when looking for entry-level employment after graduation.
Finding a Computer Science Internship
Finding a computer engineering internship can be hectic if you don’t know where to start.
Nevertheless, there are several ways you can land a computer science internship.
Here is an overview of the strategies you need to employ.
Revamp Your Resume
The first step toward securing a CS internship is to review your resume and tailor it to meet the job requirement for the position you are applying for.
That means you have to twist your resume with each application.
The same goes for the cover letter.
Highlight your skill sets, academic performance, and experience.
Further, explain how your background matches the position you are applying for in the cover letter.
Meet with a Career Counselor
Visit the Department of Computer Science in your school and inquire about the internship opportunities available.
Usually, departments collaborate with different companies where they send students for internships.
Your career counselor may also have a personal relationship with computer engineering companies recruiting interns.
Further, they may guide you on the application process and the best companies that suit your interest.
Utilize Online Resources
Leverage online platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, Jumpstart, or intern supply.
These platforms have loads of CS internship opportunities that you can apply for.
The platforms have different filters that you can use to your advantage to find internships in your preferred location, salary range, or industry.
So, review the job description thoroughly and tailor your application to fit what the companies are looking for.
Further, you can upload your resume on a platform like LinkedIn or Handshake and share a link to the documents with the recruiters you meet online.
In the same breath, you can create a digital portfolio to showcase your completed projects.
A strong portfolio should include links to the software you’ve developed, code samples, a description of the projects, and the skills you gained when working on each project.
Explore Local Tech Companies
Another strategy is to research local tech companies in your area.
In your search, identify the companies recruiting for interns and apply.
Most of these companies will have a step-by-step process for applying for internships on their website.
You can apply online via their website or visit in person.
As you search for the local tech companies, don’t concentrate only on the big firms but also the small ones.
Big firms get a lot of applications.
Hence, your chances of getting an internship are slim compared to local firms.
Make an effort to apply for as many opportunities as possible to increase your chances of securing a position.
Attend Career Fairs
Visit your university’s career center for all the information and resources you need concerning career development.
Career centers have information on employment opportunities, career fairs, workshops, etc.
Once you have the dates of the upcoming career fairs, attend as many as possible.
Interact with employers, recruiters, executives, and other company employees working for the companies you are interested in.
Stand out by asking insightful questions and giving thoughtful contributions.
This way, you’ll make an impression and make it easier to ask if the companies have internship opportunities.
You can even request business cards and reach out to potential employers soon after the career fair.
Your mission in these fairs is to connect and network with employers.
Even more important, ask questions and find out which companies are recruiting and the requirements.
Most internships accept students with a 3.0 GPA.
Further, internship opportunities vary depending on the level of education.
While most are for undergraduate students, there are CS internships for high school graduates and graduate students.
CS Intern Work Environment
Computer science students can seek an internship in a wide range of environments.
In fact, since almost all industries require computer science professionals, they can work in any industry, from healthcare to manufacturing to tech companies.
No matter where a CS student gets an internship, there are a few requirements that the company must meet.
First, interns must be supervised by an experienced IT professional.
Secondly, interns should be assigned technical roles that expand their know-how, like database design, network analysis, and software development, and not clerical duties.
Next, apart from the on-the-job training, the internship should have a formal training session.
Lastly, the internship program should run for eight weeks on a full-time basis, that is, 40 hours per week or an equivalent of 320 hours.
How Much Do CS Interns Make
According to ZipRecruiter, computer science interns earn an average of $46,762 per year.
The majority of these interns earn between $24,500 and $54,500.
The top 90th percentile who work in high-profile tech companies earns around $100k.
On the other hand, Zippia projects an annual average salary of $33k and an hourly rate of $16.28.
Interns in the 10th percentile earn $21k, while those in the 90th percentile take home around $54k.
Benefits of a Computer Science Internship
Computer internships are an excellent way for CS students to expand their skills and gain practical knowledge in the industry.
The internship experience goes a long way in building their career.
The specific benefits of a CS internship include the following.
Gain Work Experience
On top of our list is the industry experience that interns gain.
An internship mimics the real-world roles and responsibilities of a Computer Engineer.
And so students are exposed to what the profession involves preparing them for future employment.
Interns apply concepts learned in the classroom when designing and implementing projects, which is great because employers prefer people with experience, even at an entry-level position.
Hence, the experience gained during the internship will come in handy when searching for a job.
Further, experience makes it easier to get subsequent internship opportunities throughout college life.
Since they’ve been in a work environment before, they can easily adapt to demanding jobs or even a new work environment.
Generally, experience strengthens employment prospects.
Build Connection
Internships allow students to interact with professionals at different stages of their careers.
Since interns work with these professionals, they can easily create a connection and hopefully a worthwhile relationship that they can leverage later on when searching for a job.
These professionals can be referees and even provide recommendation letters to aid their job applications.
Moreover, they can refer an intern to the job opportunities within their circle.
Monetary Benefits
Paid internships are a great way for interns to get some stability during the internship period.
ZipRecruiter projects that CS interns earn an average of $46,762.
Interns working for big firms have the potential to earn more than that.
The monetary compensation helps students focus on what matters, gaining experience rather than focusing on where the next meal is coming from.
It helps interns transition back to university smoothly.
Gain a Sense of Direction
There are different types of computer science internships.
Interns can opt for computer engineering, mobile networking, database administration, and software development, among others.
These different paths expose interns to the possibilities in the industry.
Interns can determine which path they want to take and focus their energy on that area early on.
Conclusion
And there you have it—everything you need to know about a CS internship.
There are different types of internships for computer science majors.
The one you settle for depends on the career path that interests you.
But no matter the internship, you’ll have an excellent opportunity to practice the lessons learned in class.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore and better understand the industry.
In a nutshell, you’ll have real-world experience of what computer science is all about.
FAQs
How many hours do CS interns work?
Computer science interns work 40 hours per week if the internship opportunity is full-time. The internship should last not less than eight weeks or the equivalent, which is 320 hours. Paid CS internships require interns to work the same as the staff employed by the company.
How many internships should I apply to in Computer Science?
According to Indeed, you should apply for 10-20 internships every two to three weeks. Once you start getting interviews, you can tone it down. However, you should continue applying for internships until you get hired. An ideal position may come up along the way.
How much do CS internships pay?
According to ZipRecruiter, CS interns earn an average of $46,762 per year. The hourly rate is $22. Further, ZipRecruiter gives a range of $24,500 and $54,500. On the other hand, Zippia projects an annual income of $33k. The platform estimates that interns earn between $21k and $54k.
How do you apply for a CS internship?
When applying for an internship, the first thing to look into is your resume. Ensure your resume is up-to-date and well-written. From there, apply for internship opportunities online, either via email or through the application portal. Next, prepare for the interview. There are loads of interview questions online you can leverage.
Is a CS internship necessary?
An internship is not a mandatory requirement, but it boosts your ability to get a job once you graduate. Internships expose you to the industry and the roles and responsibilities of computer science professionals. You’ll get the opportunity to earn and also network with experienced professionals.
What do CS interns do?
Computer science interns provide cybersecurity services, technical support, and administrative duties. They test and debug software. Further, they learn computer languages, write lines of code, and develop software designs. They also attend training in machine learning.CS interns gain practical experience in a realistic work environment.
What year do students get internships?
Computer science students often go for internships at the end of their third year in college. During this period, they already have an area of interest and can choose a company that best fits their interests. However, some students go for internships from the second year.
What are the requirements to intern in CS?
The internship requirements vary depending on the organization. But generally, you must be in a computer science or related program in a college. You must also meet the specified grade point. Next, you should have knowledge of computer programming languages such as C++, Java, HTML, Python, and SQL.
What are the types of CS internships?
There are several types, here’s an overview:
-Full-stack software engineering intern
-Product management intern
-Data scientist intern
-Mobile engineering intern
-Back-end engineering intern
-Front-end engineering intern
-Information security intern
-Data engineering intern
-Android engineering intern
-iOS engineering intern
Your interest will determine the type of internship you’ll settle for.
How can I find CS internships?
There are several options. The first step is to revamp your resume to ensure it stands out. Next, you need to visit the career center or talk to your career counselor about the available opportunities. Try to explore the local tech companies that are recruiting interns. Lastly, attend career fairs.
What is the duration of a CS internship?
On average, a CS internship takes eight weeks. But the duration can vary from 8 to 14 weeks. By the end of the internship period, you’ll have earned college credits and gained hands-on experience. Additionally, the duration is ideal for building connections that may come in handy in the future.
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