8 answers
Shaina
Student
Bacolod, Western Visayas, Philippines
45
Questions
Updated
2457 views
Any advice on internship hunting?
And suddenly, I do not know what I want to do. I am in the IT industry. Everything just feels so difficult and draining. I still do not know what I want to do. I don't have a knack for programming, networking or any other technical concepts. My experience is more on the UI/UX sector but deep in my head, I am not sure if I need confidence or am I just pretending I can do it. I vibe coded a web app for myself and realized...I cannot code without AI not especially the backend + connecting the logic... I am applying for an internship soon next week. I am not sure what role I want to explore but the requirement is something related to IT. In a very fast-paced industry, I am behind. This internship means a lot to me but it is just so hard.
7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Shaina, employers often use paid internships as a away to attract competitive candidates while assessing your potential as a future employee. Many industries, such as technology and engineering, rely heavily on paid internships because the work requires specialized skills which makes these internships very competitive. You can apply for internships even if you don't meet all the skills, as they're designed for learning, but focus on roles where you have relevant coursework along with problem-solving skills. Aim for roles where you possess core abilities and can show potential, learning, and adaptability, as underqualified doesn't mean unqualified, but being completely lacking in relevant areas makes it an unrealistic stretch.
HOW TO FIND THE BEST INTERNSHIPS
Leverage your personal network (family, friends, professors, advisors) for warm leads, also use university career centers and platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Idealist) for internships. Applying early with tailored resumes and cover letters, and don't hesitate to directly contact companies you admire for potential opportunities. Yes, writing a personalised resume and cover letter for each and every internship takes longer than applying with generic documents to every offer meeting roughly what you are looking for. However, to catch the hiring manager's eye, you have to show him/her that you’re very interested in that company. Ask yourself why you are applying for this company precisely ,even if it's not the company of your dreams, state at least two reasons (apart from the salary) why you want to find an internship with that company. A personalised and researched application is just further proof of your motivation, an argument enabling you to stand out from the other candidates.
Happy hunting Shaina
If you're interested in internships at certain companies, connect with past interns or employees of those companies on LinkedIn. Send a note asking for any advice before you apply or if they'd be interested in grabbing a cup of coffee to share any helpful tips.
HOW TO FIND THE BEST INTERNSHIPS
Leverage your personal network (family, friends, professors, advisors) for warm leads, also use university career centers and platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Idealist) for internships. Applying early with tailored resumes and cover letters, and don't hesitate to directly contact companies you admire for potential opportunities. Yes, writing a personalised resume and cover letter for each and every internship takes longer than applying with generic documents to every offer meeting roughly what you are looking for. However, to catch the hiring manager's eye, you have to show him/her that you’re very interested in that company. Ask yourself why you are applying for this company precisely ,even if it's not the company of your dreams, state at least two reasons (apart from the salary) why you want to find an internship with that company. A personalised and researched application is just further proof of your motivation, an argument enabling you to stand out from the other candidates.
Happy hunting Shaina
Doc recommends the following next steps:
Well Said. It is a best way to approach companies where most uses AI to filter out the resumes and cover letter. It need to stand out.
Siva Kann
Mario Ramirez
Leader, Customer Delivery
43
Answers
Mexico City, Mexico
Updated
Mario’s Answer
Hey Shaiana! Thanks for being brave and sharing your concern. It's totally normal to feel drained and sometimes lose track of things. Like I said, just relax and breathe.
What really matters is to stay calm and look at your options based on the facts. Think about your profile, what you genuinely enjoy, whether it's dealing directly with customers, desktop programming, sales, etc. Once you pinpoint your passion, start exploring opportunities in those areas. Dream big and figure out what you need to keep growing, because yeah, it’s common to feel a bit lost in a new job or position.
Here’s a link where you can find jobs for internships and early careers:
https://careers.cisco.com/global/en
Wishing you all the best!!!
Mario R
What really matters is to stay calm and look at your options based on the facts. Think about your profile, what you genuinely enjoy, whether it's dealing directly with customers, desktop programming, sales, etc. Once you pinpoint your passion, start exploring opportunities in those areas. Dream big and figure out what you need to keep growing, because yeah, it’s common to feel a bit lost in a new job or position.
Here’s a link where you can find jobs for internships and early careers:
https://careers.cisco.com/global/en
Wishing you all the best!!!
Mario R
Siva Kann
VP of Products & Technology
31
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
Siva’s Answer
Hello Shaina,
What you are feeling is far more common than you think, and it does not mean you are pretending. It usually means you are standing at an inflection point, right before things begin to make sense.
From what you have shared, there is a clear signal that your strength is UI/UX, not deep backend engineering, and that is completely okay. The industry need more designers who understand users, flows, and clarity just as much as it needs programmers.
Confidence often comes after proof. "Seeing is believing". Build a small but focused portfolio. Redesign an app you enjoy, document your design thinking, and show wireframes, user flows, and final UI. When you can point to real work and say, “I made this,” the doubt starts to fade.
Using AI to code does not disqualify you. Most of my teams today use AI to improve speed and quality. We even use AI to create multiple early prototypes before the UX team refines the final design.
I completely agree with Doc’s advice on internships. Aim for roles aligned with your core strengths, not everything that falls under IT. Apply thoughtfully, showcase your UX work, and let your curiosity and learning mindset speak for you. Narrow in on where you belong!
Wish you the best!
- Siva.
Identify your strengths
Build a portfolio that shows your thinking
Follow Doc’s approach when reaching out to companies
What you are feeling is far more common than you think, and it does not mean you are pretending. It usually means you are standing at an inflection point, right before things begin to make sense.
From what you have shared, there is a clear signal that your strength is UI/UX, not deep backend engineering, and that is completely okay. The industry need more designers who understand users, flows, and clarity just as much as it needs programmers.
Confidence often comes after proof. "Seeing is believing". Build a small but focused portfolio. Redesign an app you enjoy, document your design thinking, and show wireframes, user flows, and final UI. When you can point to real work and say, “I made this,” the doubt starts to fade.
Using AI to code does not disqualify you. Most of my teams today use AI to improve speed and quality. We even use AI to create multiple early prototypes before the UX team refines the final design.
I completely agree with Doc’s advice on internships. Aim for roles aligned with your core strengths, not everything that falls under IT. Apply thoughtfully, showcase your UX work, and let your curiosity and learning mindset speak for you. Narrow in on where you belong!
Wish you the best!
- Siva.
Siva recommends the following next steps:
Mike DeMaggio
Technology Support Leadership
1
Answer
Troy, Michigan
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Starting with an internship in Technology Support is a smart move. For instance, working at a help desk helps you understand how end users think and interact with systems. This experience is valuable if you go into programming because it teaches you to consider the end user's needs when coding. You'll also get to see various types of hardware, software, and infrastructure, which broadens your knowledge.
Katie Patton, PMP, CSM
Financial Ops, Vendor Mgmt, IT Project Mgmt, IT Delivery Mgmt
6
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Shaina,
What problems do you want to solve, or what products and services do you want to create using IT? Internships offer a great chance to work with talented people who are eager to guide and teach you. I am very thankful for my mentor who supported me during my programming classes while I was doing my master's. Once I grasped the logical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills needed for programming, learning the language and syntax became much easier.
Think about the companies you admire. Do they have great products, innovative solutions, or a strong social conscience? Are they leaders in their fields? Every company relies on IT to succeed. Look into their internship programs and reach out to past interns to hear about their experiences.
With programming skills, you can explore roles in product management, project management, or even people management, all while staying on a technical career path.
Also, AI is a major game changer, and these skills are in high demand. There's so much more to AI than just Generative AI like ChatGPT. Dive deep and learn as much as you can. You’ve got this!
What problems do you want to solve, or what products and services do you want to create using IT? Internships offer a great chance to work with talented people who are eager to guide and teach you. I am very thankful for my mentor who supported me during my programming classes while I was doing my master's. Once I grasped the logical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills needed for programming, learning the language and syntax became much easier.
Think about the companies you admire. Do they have great products, innovative solutions, or a strong social conscience? Are they leaders in their fields? Every company relies on IT to succeed. Look into their internship programs and reach out to past interns to hear about their experiences.
With programming skills, you can explore roles in product management, project management, or even people management, all while staying on a technical career path.
Also, AI is a major game changer, and these skills are in high demand. There's so much more to AI than just Generative AI like ChatGPT. Dive deep and learn as much as you can. You’ve got this!
Joseph Ford
221
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Joseph’s Answer
WOW, you have some decisions to make. But it's never too late to change your direction. Internships are good but I believe you need to take a seat and for 30mins in a silent environment just rest and let your mind relax. Think about your life and what actually interest you and not what you can do or don't like. List your strengths positives and negatives. You see life is too short to put yourself in a place you may not like because you probably will not do a good job and each day will be stressful.
A job should be exciting even if you have to take other courses to get where you want to be. Degrees may not be necessary; certifications will get you a job.
Good luck
A job should be exciting even if you have to take other courses to get where you want to be. Degrees may not be necessary; certifications will get you a job.
Good luck
PS Jagadeesh
Information Technology
4
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
PS’s Answer
Suddenly, you might feel unsure about what you want to do, and that's perfectly normal, especially during your education. I've been there too. I found it helpful to reach out to my education counselor and mentor, who guided me on the next steps in my IT career.
Choosing between technical and non-technical paths can be challenging, especially with the growing focus on AI. Technology is more accessible than ever, so think about your passions and skills. Consider where you want to be in the future. Eventually, many of us move into leadership roles, where technology supports our work rather than being our main focus.
There are many roles in IT, like UX/UI, Development, Data Engineering, Support Engineer, and Project Manager. Your skills might be broader than what you learn on a specific project.
IT is fast-paced, but the key is to focus on your work and learn from it. Understanding the basics of IT systems architecture is crucial, as it helps you build the skills you need.
Internships can be a valuable milestone in your career. They provide real-world experience and answer many questions about the industry and teamwork.
Don't worry too much. Talk to your education counselor or visit an education counseling center for a free demo. They'll help you understand what the industry needs and what suits your skills.
Good luck! You can achieve anything by taking it step by step.
Register for companies you are interested in career section. Majority of the companies provide Internship opportunities and contact students
Based on my experience, colleges have educational seminars, where companies are invited. Please talk to your educational counselor
Choosing between technical and non-technical paths can be challenging, especially with the growing focus on AI. Technology is more accessible than ever, so think about your passions and skills. Consider where you want to be in the future. Eventually, many of us move into leadership roles, where technology supports our work rather than being our main focus.
There are many roles in IT, like UX/UI, Development, Data Engineering, Support Engineer, and Project Manager. Your skills might be broader than what you learn on a specific project.
IT is fast-paced, but the key is to focus on your work and learn from it. Understanding the basics of IT systems architecture is crucial, as it helps you build the skills you need.
Internships can be a valuable milestone in your career. They provide real-world experience and answer many questions about the industry and teamwork.
Don't worry too much. Talk to your education counselor or visit an education counseling center for a free demo. They'll help you understand what the industry needs and what suits your skills.
Good luck! You can achieve anything by taking it step by step.
PS recommends the following next steps:
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