5 answers
Jeremy
Student
Temple City, California
1
Question
Asked
3886 views
How to land network and land internships in a state outside of California?
Im going to USC for ECE, but want to explore internships in places like NY, Chicago, Bay area. With no previous connections, how to land connections and interns?
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5 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
480
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
You are asking an excellent question and have received a lot of good advice.
May I assume that USC stands for the "University of Southern California"? If so, it likely has an excellent career center and invites companies from all of the country to recruit there. Register so you will be informed of campus visits by companies that interest you.
It is also likely that the USC has programs with alumni to provide advice, shadowing, and potential internships to students. You could find out about those either from the career center or the alumni affairs staff.
Good luck!
May I assume that USC stands for the "University of Southern California"? If so, it likely has an excellent career center and invites companies from all of the country to recruit there. Register so you will be informed of campus visits by companies that interest you.
It is also likely that the USC has programs with alumni to provide advice, shadowing, and potential internships to students. You could find out about those either from the career center or the alumni affairs staff.
Good luck!
Meredith Wood Bahuriak
Social Media Director
1
Answer
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Meredith’s Answer
Start with setting some easy networking goals that you're comfortable with. This could be as simple as meeting someone new and saying "hello" at an event or in a chat.
The best way to network is by building trust. You can do this in many ways. Being consistent is important in a work setting. When people see that you're dependable, they'll include you in more activities.
Make it a point to regularly attend any networking events during your internship too. Conferences, workshops, etc. Ask insightful questions and listen actively. Like if someone’s telling me about how something works, I’d make eye contact and nod my head, and then ask any follow up questions you may have
You should do your research and make sure you’re fully prepared for any work that you might have to do and are responsible for. If people find you reliable and knowledgeable, that’s a great way to connect and plus you’re more confident to strike up some conversations
Online platforms like LinkedIn and other communities/forums
See if anyone has any similar interests, hobbies, or views as you! It can help break the ice a lot better and you’ll have something other than work to talk about
You can offer assistance or support to your coworkers who seem like they’re struggling or could use a bit of help. They solve the problem, you gain a bit more knowledge, more friendship points for both, it’s a win-win
The best way to network is by building trust. You can do this in many ways. Being consistent is important in a work setting. When people see that you're dependable, they'll include you in more activities.
Meredith recommends the following next steps:
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Jeremy,
It is great to hear that you are looking to net work outside of your estate. It is important to get yourself out there even if you can’t physically get there. there are numerous ways you can go about networking online.
Firstly, go to your school and see if there are any previous alumni that are now located in the state you want to go to. See if they have any connections for you I can put you in touch with anyone. When you’re reaching out, don’t ask for anything just show your interest and make conversation like possibly asking about a new project that they are working on. You can also ask about their journey from college until how they got to where they are right now. Look up companies that you are inspired by and see if they have a steph website page. You should also use websites like LinkedIn to help find who works where. Reach out to as many people as you can, and ask all the questions that you can. Some might have internships opportunities right away, and some you may have to build a connection with, and an opportunity may come in the future. Either way stay persistent!
Best of luck on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are looking to net work outside of your estate. It is important to get yourself out there even if you can’t physically get there. there are numerous ways you can go about networking online.
Firstly, go to your school and see if there are any previous alumni that are now located in the state you want to go to. See if they have any connections for you I can put you in touch with anyone. When you’re reaching out, don’t ask for anything just show your interest and make conversation like possibly asking about a new project that they are working on. You can also ask about their journey from college until how they got to where they are right now. Look up companies that you are inspired by and see if they have a steph website page. You should also use websites like LinkedIn to help find who works where. Reach out to as many people as you can, and ask all the questions that you can. Some might have internships opportunities right away, and some you may have to build a connection with, and an opportunity may come in the future. Either way stay persistent!
Best of luck on your journey!
Wyatt .
Retired Corporate Executive
54
Answers
United States
Updated
Wyatt’s Answer
Hello Jeremy,
Landing internships even without existing connections is absolutely possible with a strategic approach that blends online outreach, school resources, and personal initiative. Have you considered tapping into the Trojan alumni network? Platforms like the Trojan Network and LinkedIn make it easy to filter alumni by industry and location, search for engineers or recruiters in your target cities and reach out with a short, respectful message expressing interest in their field and asking for advice. Most people are open to sharing insights, especially with students from their alma mater. Simultaneously, attend as many virtual career fairs and tech meetups as possible, even those hosted by other schools or national organizations like IEEE, NSBE, or SHPE. These events often attract recruiters from companies based in your target cities. Be proactive in these spaces, and follow up with people you meet on LinkedIn. Many roles are filled through soft introductions, and a brief conversation can sometimes lead to a referral.
Alongside networking, strengthen your application materials to stand out regardless of location. Build a strong GitHub portfolio and resume that showcase your technical skills, projects in embedded systems, machine learning, robotics, or design will carry weight with companies in the Bay Area and trading firms in Chicago and New York. Research 30–50 companies in each city and apply early, as many top tech and finance firms begin recruiting for summer interns as early as September. After applying, reach out to engineers or recruiters at those companies with a personalized message referencing your application and interest in the city, as this adds a personal touch that algorithms can’t match. Join relevant tech Discords and Slack communities to stay connected with peers and potential opportunities. Lastly, consider remote roles or internships at smaller startups to build experience if relocation isn’t immediately feasible. Once you have even one solid internship under your belt, future roles in any city become far more accessible.
All the best to you,
Wyatt
Landing internships even without existing connections is absolutely possible with a strategic approach that blends online outreach, school resources, and personal initiative. Have you considered tapping into the Trojan alumni network? Platforms like the Trojan Network and LinkedIn make it easy to filter alumni by industry and location, search for engineers or recruiters in your target cities and reach out with a short, respectful message expressing interest in their field and asking for advice. Most people are open to sharing insights, especially with students from their alma mater. Simultaneously, attend as many virtual career fairs and tech meetups as possible, even those hosted by other schools or national organizations like IEEE, NSBE, or SHPE. These events often attract recruiters from companies based in your target cities. Be proactive in these spaces, and follow up with people you meet on LinkedIn. Many roles are filled through soft introductions, and a brief conversation can sometimes lead to a referral.
Alongside networking, strengthen your application materials to stand out regardless of location. Build a strong GitHub portfolio and resume that showcase your technical skills, projects in embedded systems, machine learning, robotics, or design will carry weight with companies in the Bay Area and trading firms in Chicago and New York. Research 30–50 companies in each city and apply early, as many top tech and finance firms begin recruiting for summer interns as early as September. After applying, reach out to engineers or recruiters at those companies with a personalized message referencing your application and interest in the city, as this adds a personal touch that algorithms can’t match. Join relevant tech Discords and Slack communities to stay connected with peers and potential opportunities. Lastly, consider remote roles or internships at smaller startups to build experience if relocation isn’t immediately feasible. Once you have even one solid internship under your belt, future roles in any city become far more accessible.
All the best to you,
Wyatt
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Jeremy!
The time has come for an entrepreneurial remote internship utilizing the Internet. What do you do for clients? Seek information! Find solutions. With the geographical reach of the world-wide-web you can do research with search engines for people on the other side of the globe. Most of the time you would be seeking scientific research papers or legal documents.
The secret is to perform such a decent search that the client is left in awe! You already know what is going to happen - the client shall return! Some of the advertising and networking shall be done for you - by satisfied clients. The other thing is a business consultancy rescuing failing companies, making successful ventures even more successful!
Networking methods include: - ‣ Indeed ‣ Joining a networking group
‣ Utilizing social media ‣ Growing a database of professional contacts
‣ Joining industry groups ‣ Attending conventions and conferences
‣ Sending emails ‣ Setting up informational interviews ‣ Offering assistance
‣ Attending group networking events ‣ Attending industry-related conferences
‣ Joining online communities ‣ Participating in online forums ‣ Meeting new contacts for coffee ‣ Reaching out to potential contacts via email or social networking sites ‣ Asking friends to introduce you to their contacts
‣ Staying in touch with former coworkers.
The time has come for an entrepreneurial remote internship utilizing the Internet. What do you do for clients? Seek information! Find solutions. With the geographical reach of the world-wide-web you can do research with search engines for people on the other side of the globe. Most of the time you would be seeking scientific research papers or legal documents.
The secret is to perform such a decent search that the client is left in awe! You already know what is going to happen - the client shall return! Some of the advertising and networking shall be done for you - by satisfied clients. The other thing is a business consultancy rescuing failing companies, making successful ventures even more successful!
Networking methods include: - ‣ Indeed ‣ Joining a networking group
‣ Utilizing social media ‣ Growing a database of professional contacts
‣ Joining industry groups ‣ Attending conventions and conferences
‣ Sending emails ‣ Setting up informational interviews ‣ Offering assistance
‣ Attending group networking events ‣ Attending industry-related conferences
‣ Joining online communities ‣ Participating in online forums ‣ Meeting new contacts for coffee ‣ Reaching out to potential contacts via email or social networking sites ‣ Asking friends to introduce you to their contacts
‣ Staying in touch with former coworkers.