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Abigail
Student
Mount Morris, New York
1
Question
Asked
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I am a college freshman. When is the best time to apply for internships What companies offer internships for programming?
I am a college freshman. When is the best time to apply for internships? What companies offer internships for programming?
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5 answers
David Allen
Consultant
84
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
David’s Answer
That's a very smart question to ask as a freshman! The best time to apply for programming internships, particularly for competitive summer programs, is surprisingly early: August through November of the preceding year. Many large technology and finance companies use a rolling application process, meaning they review and hire candidates as applications come in, so applying early ensures your resume is seen before most positions are filled. If you are specifically targeting a summer internship, the window typically runs from the fall until closing in late January or February, with the most aggressive recruitment occurring right before and during the start of the fall semester, so make sure your resume and projects are ready to go by August.
The most reliable opportunities for freshmen are through specialized "Early Insight" or "Discovery" programs designed for first and second-year students. Companies that frequently offer these specific programming or technical roles include: Google (with its STEP Internship), Microsoft (with the Explore Internship), Meta (with Meta University), and financial technology firms like JPMorgan Chase and Capital One (with their Early Internship Programs and Summits). These programs often focus on broad skill development and require less deep technical background than a traditional Software Engineer Internship, making them perfect for building your initial programming portfolio and professional network.
The most reliable opportunities for freshmen are through specialized "Early Insight" or "Discovery" programs designed for first and second-year students. Companies that frequently offer these specific programming or technical roles include: Google (with its STEP Internship), Microsoft (with the Explore Internship), Meta (with Meta University), and financial technology firms like JPMorgan Chase and Capital One (with their Early Internship Programs and Summits). These programs often focus on broad skill development and require less deep technical background than a traditional Software Engineer Internship, making them perfect for building your initial programming portfolio and professional network.
Ted Roberts
Team Leader, Engineering
5
Answers
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Updated
Ted’s Answer
If you're aiming for internships at big companies, start applying as early as late August or early September for the following year. Smaller companies might begin their search in April or May. It's a great idea to connect with a career counselor at your school, as many companies work closely with schools to make the process smoother.
Kent Schaeffer
Technical Writer, Web Developer, DDI Engineer
1
Answer
West Valley City, Utah
Updated
Kent’s Answer
Sandeep is right on all accounts.
Before you read the rest of this response, you should definitely meet with a career coach or counselor on campus, if there is one. Your career counselor can also help find internships to apply for, or at least direct you to the person or team that handles internships both from a college/department and campus-wide perspective.
The general schedule for posting internships starts in late summer or early fall for the following year, usually for the next summer. These postings generally stay up until full or just for a few weeks. Especially in this market, it is vital to get your application in as early as possible, and just like any regular job, find a connection with the company (campus career counselor or LinkedIn).
It is most advantageous to apply during the summer after your second year so that you get experience early and have enough coursework completed and so that you have the internship lined up for after your third year. It's also ok to apply for similar roles to the one you are most seeking to gain valuable industry, development, and company experience. It also may give you the advantage of a different perspective, which could make you more versatile going forward.
Here are some next steps to lead you to a more successful internship experience
Book a first time appointment with a career coach, career counselor, internship counselor, or other advisor (depending on your school). Layout your longterm career goals. It's ok if you don't know, just as long as you have a plan or goal to work toward
Your counselor may give you assignments. Finish those and then block out regularly-scheduled intervals to keep up on your goals and tasks
Create or continue building your social media profiles, portfolio(s) and example work(s) - resume, website (there are many free ones), LinkedIn & GitHub profiles
Play and post course or personal projects to display your coding (or documentation, planning, or other) skills and journeys. Save and update in GitHub (or GitLab) often
Apply and enjoy the experiences while you can - you can do this!
Before you read the rest of this response, you should definitely meet with a career coach or counselor on campus, if there is one. Your career counselor can also help find internships to apply for, or at least direct you to the person or team that handles internships both from a college/department and campus-wide perspective.
The general schedule for posting internships starts in late summer or early fall for the following year, usually for the next summer. These postings generally stay up until full or just for a few weeks. Especially in this market, it is vital to get your application in as early as possible, and just like any regular job, find a connection with the company (campus career counselor or LinkedIn).
It is most advantageous to apply during the summer after your second year so that you get experience early and have enough coursework completed and so that you have the internship lined up for after your third year. It's also ok to apply for similar roles to the one you are most seeking to gain valuable industry, development, and company experience. It also may give you the advantage of a different perspective, which could make you more versatile going forward.
Here are some next steps to lead you to a more successful internship experience
Kent recommends the following next steps:
Sandeep Khandelwal
Software Engineer
50
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Sandeep’s Answer
Hello Abigail,
You should start applying in the late summer or early fall (August to October) of the year before the summer you want to work. This is when large tech companies (like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon) post their applications for the following summer. Applying early dramatically increases your visibility before thousands of other candidates join the pool. The second wave of applications typically opens in January and February.
The crucial distinction for you right now is that you should prioritize any technical experience over a prestigious name.
Your first internship may not be pure software development; it might be an IT Support role, a Quality Assurance position, or a Technical Analyst role. These positions still expose you to professional codebases, version control systems (like Git), and the professional development environment.
You should start applying in the late summer or early fall (August to October) of the year before the summer you want to work. This is when large tech companies (like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon) post their applications for the following summer. Applying early dramatically increases your visibility before thousands of other candidates join the pool. The second wave of applications typically opens in January and February.
The crucial distinction for you right now is that you should prioritize any technical experience over a prestigious name.
Your first internship may not be pure software development; it might be an IT Support role, a Quality Assurance position, or a Technical Analyst role. These positions still expose you to professional codebases, version control systems (like Git), and the professional development environment.
Amit Shukla
Senior Software Engineer
10
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Amit’s Answer
For big tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Meta, and Amazon, summer internship applications usually open between August and October of the previous year. They often look for students who are at least sophomores or juniors. However, there are special programs for first- and second-year students, such as Explore Microsoft and Google's early-talent programs, which also open around the same time. Smaller companies, local businesses, startups, and research labs are more flexible with their hiring and often recruit closer to the internship start date. This means you can start looking and applying 3 to 6 months before you want to start, like from December to February for a summer role, and even earlier if you're interested in campus roles or research with professors.
There are many options for programming internships. Large tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, IBM, and Oracle offer software engineering and related internships. These can be competitive and are often aimed at students further along in their studies. Mid-sized tech companies, SaaS companies, local software consultancies, IT service providers, and startups also hire interns for roles like software developer, web developer, QA/testing, or IT support. Don’t just focus on big tech brands—banks, hospitals, manufacturing companies, universities, and local businesses also need programmers for internal tools and websites. As a freshman, it’s a good idea to build a small project portfolio on GitHub, watch for early-talent programs from big companies, and reach out to local or smaller companies near Mount Morris and across New York state. They might be open to a motivated beginner intern, even if they don’t have a formal internship program.
There are many options for programming internships. Large tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta, IBM, and Oracle offer software engineering and related internships. These can be competitive and are often aimed at students further along in their studies. Mid-sized tech companies, SaaS companies, local software consultancies, IT service providers, and startups also hire interns for roles like software developer, web developer, QA/testing, or IT support. Don’t just focus on big tech brands—banks, hospitals, manufacturing companies, universities, and local businesses also need programmers for internal tools and websites. As a freshman, it’s a good idea to build a small project portfolio on GitHub, watch for early-talent programs from big companies, and reach out to local or smaller companies near Mount Morris and across New York state. They might be open to a motivated beginner intern, even if they don’t have a formal internship program.