2 answers
Samuel
Student
Tomahawk, Wisconsin
1
Question
Updated
253 views
How do you choose what internships are best for you and where are the top places to search for internship opportunities, specifically for a computer science major?
I go to college at umn twin cities for computer science. I am currently just a freshman but I wanted to still get ahead and look at some internships. I was wondering whay resources are best to start my search. I also wanted to know once you have found some scholarships, how do you best decide which one is the best fit for you.
Login to comment
2 answers
Pam Dunbar
Recruiting
2
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Pam’s Answer
Begin by reaching out to your career services office. Take part in career fairs and networking events at your school. Connect with alumni on LinkedIn and ask your professors to introduce you to them. Attend alumni events to start building relationships. Practice your elevator pitch to clearly express that you are seeking an internship and the type you are interested in.
Kirthi KN
Computers
35
Answers
Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Updated
Kirthi’s Answer
Hi Samuel,
It is impressive that you are looking into this as a freshman. Most CS students wait until junior year, so simply starting now puts you in the top 10%.
Since you are at UMN Twin Cities, you have a geographic advantage that many students don't. Here is the most effective way to start your search and how to decide what’s right for you.
1. Where to Search (The Freshman Strategy)
As a freshman, you are competing against juniors with more experience. To win, you need to look where others aren't looking.
GoldPASS (Handshake): This is your biggest asset. Employers post here specifically because they want UMN students. You are far less likely to get "ghosted" here than on LinkedIn. Filter for "internship" and look for local companies.
You live in a hub of Fortune 500 companies. Target, Best Buy, 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and General Mills all recruit heavily from UMN. Go to their career pages directly. They often have robust programs that value potential over experience.
Freshman-Specific Programs: Big Tech companies have specific internships just for freshmen/sophomores (so you aren't competing with seniors).
Look for:
Google STEP
Microsoft Explore
Meta University
Uber STAR (Note: These recruit very early, often in the Fall. If you missed the window for this summer, mark your calendar for next August).
2. How to Choose the "Best Fit"
You mentioned finding scholarships (assuming you might have meant internships, but I’ll cover the logic for both).
For Internships: Prioritize Mentorship If you have options, do not choose based on salary or brand name. As a freshman, your goal is to learn.
Ask: "Will I have a dedicated mentor?"
Ask: "Will I be writing code that goes into production, or just doing busy work?"
The Rule: The best internship is the one that lets you touch the most code with the most support.
For Scholarships: Prioritize ROI If you are looking for funding:
Look Local: Departmental scholarships at UMN (CSE specific) have much higher acceptance rates than national ones.
Check Strings Attached: Some scholarships require you to work for a specific agency after graduation. Only take those if you are 100% sure about that career path.
Final Suggestion
Since you are a freshman, don't stress about the "perfect" fit yet. Any experience is good experience right now. Even a small, unpaid project with a professor or a startup will look amazing on your resume when you apply for the big roles next year.
Good luck!
It is impressive that you are looking into this as a freshman. Most CS students wait until junior year, so simply starting now puts you in the top 10%.
Since you are at UMN Twin Cities, you have a geographic advantage that many students don't. Here is the most effective way to start your search and how to decide what’s right for you.
1. Where to Search (The Freshman Strategy)
As a freshman, you are competing against juniors with more experience. To win, you need to look where others aren't looking.
GoldPASS (Handshake): This is your biggest asset. Employers post here specifically because they want UMN students. You are far less likely to get "ghosted" here than on LinkedIn. Filter for "internship" and look for local companies.
You live in a hub of Fortune 500 companies. Target, Best Buy, 3M, UnitedHealth Group, and General Mills all recruit heavily from UMN. Go to their career pages directly. They often have robust programs that value potential over experience.
Freshman-Specific Programs: Big Tech companies have specific internships just for freshmen/sophomores (so you aren't competing with seniors).
Look for:
Google STEP
Microsoft Explore
Meta University
Uber STAR (Note: These recruit very early, often in the Fall. If you missed the window for this summer, mark your calendar for next August).
2. How to Choose the "Best Fit"
You mentioned finding scholarships (assuming you might have meant internships, but I’ll cover the logic for both).
For Internships: Prioritize Mentorship If you have options, do not choose based on salary or brand name. As a freshman, your goal is to learn.
Ask: "Will I have a dedicated mentor?"
Ask: "Will I be writing code that goes into production, or just doing busy work?"
The Rule: The best internship is the one that lets you touch the most code with the most support.
For Scholarships: Prioritize ROI If you are looking for funding:
Look Local: Departmental scholarships at UMN (CSE specific) have much higher acceptance rates than national ones.
Check Strings Attached: Some scholarships require you to work for a specific agency after graduation. Only take those if you are 100% sure about that career path.
Final Suggestion
Since you are a freshman, don't stress about the "perfect" fit yet. Any experience is good experience right now. Even a small, unpaid project with a professor or a startup will look amazing on your resume when you apply for the big roles next year.
Good luck!