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How do people actually get started in the computer engineering industry?

I'm a junior computer engineering major starting the job and internship search. A lot of "entry-level" jobs and internships seem to have experience requirements. Does underlining personal projects and certifications really work? What am I supposed to do?

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Teklemuz’s Answer

Internships and entry-level jobs usually require a relevant field of study, certifications, a solid understanding of your field, curiosity, eagerness to learn, and commitment. Employers want proof that you can do the work, solve problems, and add value, which you can show through well-documented projects on a polished resume and GitHub account. Certifications alongside hands-on projects, especially in cloud, programming, networking, or cybersecurity, strengthen your profile.

Build personal projects like Arduino, robotics, full-stack web applications, or IoT, join clubs, and apply for volunteer or internship roles before full-time positions. Free platforms like Forage, GitHub, Replit, HackerRank, LeetCode, and AWS Educate provide hands-on experience, while Devpost and Dev Internships focus on projects and hackathons. Apply widely on LinkedIn, Indeed, AngelList, and Internshala, master core concepts, and prepare for interviews. Showcase your problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills. Rejection can happen, but learn from mistakes and keep applying consistently. Networking with professionals, staying updated with industry trends, and continuously building and presenting your skills helps you get your foot in the door and demonstrate your value to employers.
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Maggie’s Answer

Hi Maya -

Yes! Your personal projects can show a great deal about who you are as a person and an engineer. Definitely include your personal projects on your resume, highlighting what you designed, built, and implemented. Some of the best candidates I have interviewed talked through their personal project design even without "industry" experience. You can also highlight school projects, too. When talking about school projects, be sure to focus on what YOU did specifically, not what the team or "we" did. You want to highlight your contributions.

Looking for an internship is a great start! Don't be afraid to apply to some jobs that you don't necessarily think you meet all of the criteria - many recruiters/hiring mangers will interview candidates that meet some but not all of the requirements. Also, applying for some jobs that aren't necessarily your dream job can help with interviewing practice!

Best of luck!
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