8 answers
Zach
Student
Grafton, Ohio
4
Questions
Asked
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What exactly happens in an internship?
I'm a sophomore student athlete interested in information technology.
#Technology #Career #Internship
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8 answers
Tony Frank
Sales Professional
4
Answers
Chagrin Falls, Ohio
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Hi Zach! Good question, and there is not a single answer. Broadly speaking, internships tend to be company specific and even department specific, so there is no simple answer. In general internships are used to augment the company's team and resources, and to get a sense of the student who is participating in the internship. The company is looking carefully at your commitment to the job, department and company, your work ethic, how you interact with others, and if you take the initiative to get things done that appear to you to need to be addresses. Are you team mate or a nuisance? Do you take the lead or do you wait for others to tell you what to do? When we get physical again, they will be looking at how you present yourself, and are you an energy adder or do you suck energy out of people and groups? Also, it is an awesome chance for you to build your network and find advocates that can help you. I hope that you find this helpful, but rest assured that internships are an incredible way to start or build your network, get a sense of the vibe of the organization/department/team, and see if what you envision your career to be a good fit for you or not.
My best wishes to you and your future!
Tony
My best wishes to you and your future!
Tony
Great answer Tony. All good information. I've had past interns reach back out and ask for help with references or referral letters when applying for future jobs. It really is a great way to grow your network and make the most of the valuable connections you can make.
Melisa Cameron
Trevor Gullstad
Software Engineer
2
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Trevor’s Answer
Hi Zach,
It's great to hear that you are interested in learning more about internships in the information technology industry!
The exact format of an internship varies by company and team. I had a wonderful experience at Salesforce last summer :)
My engineering team helped me learn about the technologies I needed to understand to be successful in my internship. I learned about open source software for data storage: Postgres, Spark, Hive, HBase, HDFS and more.
The recruiting team organized events throughout the summer and encouraged the interns to meet each other and build our network. We went on a cruise to Angel Island, explored the city, and attended lunch and learns featuring company leadership.
I recommend researching companies you are interested in, finding event by that company to attend, ask questions and apply online. Once you have your applications sent out it's time to start practicing for interviews! Grab a friend or two and practice by asking coding interview questions (found online). Finally, be yourself in the interview and internship. You'll do great!
Hope this helps!
.
Make a list of companies you are interested in.
Set goals for number of applications to submit each week (specify day and time).
Practice for interviews with a friend.
It's great to hear that you are interested in learning more about internships in the information technology industry!
The exact format of an internship varies by company and team. I had a wonderful experience at Salesforce last summer :)
My engineering team helped me learn about the technologies I needed to understand to be successful in my internship. I learned about open source software for data storage: Postgres, Spark, Hive, HBase, HDFS and more.
The recruiting team organized events throughout the summer and encouraged the interns to meet each other and build our network. We went on a cruise to Angel Island, explored the city, and attended lunch and learns featuring company leadership.
I recommend researching companies you are interested in, finding event by that company to attend, ask questions and apply online. Once you have your applications sent out it's time to start practicing for interviews! Grab a friend or two and practice by asking coding interview questions (found online). Finally, be yourself in the interview and internship. You'll do great!
Hope this helps!
.
Trevor recommends the following next steps:
Dexter Arver
Senior Manager, Web Applications
234
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Dexter’s Answer
Hi Zach,
Yeah, as Tony states, it really depends on the company and the candidate.
I can tell you at VMware, we try to give each student a meaningful project to complete during internships. Managers who are interested in interns submit a headcount request in the fall of the previous year before the internship. Then, in the winter, intern candidates are usually found and during this process are told of the project that they'd be working on. However, not all managers/situations are the same, so I've heard about situations where a manager will put aside a project to be completed by an intern, but due to various reasons, the intern will be given a different (but usually similar) project during their internship.
Internships are a great way for companies to find and evaluate talented students coming out of colleges. In turn, it's a great way for students to learn what working in "the real world" is like, and can help guide the student towards a job after graduation, or perhaps towards more education (masters, phd, etc).
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you get an internship for the next year. :)
--
Dexter
Yeah, as Tony states, it really depends on the company and the candidate.
I can tell you at VMware, we try to give each student a meaningful project to complete during internships. Managers who are interested in interns submit a headcount request in the fall of the previous year before the internship. Then, in the winter, intern candidates are usually found and during this process are told of the project that they'd be working on. However, not all managers/situations are the same, so I've heard about situations where a manager will put aside a project to be completed by an intern, but due to various reasons, the intern will be given a different (but usually similar) project during their internship.
Internships are a great way for companies to find and evaluate talented students coming out of colleges. In turn, it's a great way for students to learn what working in "the real world" is like, and can help guide the student towards a job after graduation, or perhaps towards more education (masters, phd, etc).
I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you get an internship for the next year. :)
--
Dexter
Melisa Cameron
Sr. Project Program Mgr., AT&T Community Engagement
168
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Melisa’s Answer
Hi Zach,
Great question. As Tony and others have already shared, there really isn’t just one answer to your question. The answer can vary greatly by industry, internship opportunity and company.
Our department had the opportunity to work with an intern on our team this summer and she completed her work virtually by taking on project assignments from members of our team who worked with her on an assignment and deliverables.
It takes a lot of people to achieve success and reach our company goals. Internships and development programs can help individuals at AT&T develop their own skills while also supporting our customers, wherever they live and work.
If you want to learn more about internships at AT&T that are focused on technology and entertainment, check out the website at the link below.
You’ll also find videos and career resources here.
Best wishes to you for success in your educational and career goals.
technology career internship
Check out http://att.jobs/students
Learn more about campus events and on-demand video resources here https://www.att.jobs/campus-events
Great question. As Tony and others have already shared, there really isn’t just one answer to your question. The answer can vary greatly by industry, internship opportunity and company.
Our department had the opportunity to work with an intern on our team this summer and she completed her work virtually by taking on project assignments from members of our team who worked with her on an assignment and deliverables.
It takes a lot of people to achieve success and reach our company goals. Internships and development programs can help individuals at AT&T develop their own skills while also supporting our customers, wherever they live and work.
If you want to learn more about internships at AT&T that are focused on technology and entertainment, check out the website at the link below.
You’ll also find videos and career resources here.
Best wishes to you for success in your educational and career goals.
technology career internship
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Chaitanya Pedada
Software Engineer
1
Answer
Cupertino, California
Updated
Chaitanya’s Answer
Hi Zach!
The key to a successful internship is fit and growth. There are a wide variety of internship roles in tech and each experience is likely to vary dependent on the role, size of company, size of internship class, the team you are placed on, etc. For example, a Series A startup with 2 interns vs a Series C startup with 20 interns vs an established 10,000 employee company with over a 100 interns will offer entirely different experiences due to a difference in structure, opportunities, mentorship, intern events, and more. Internship experiences aren't necessarily formulaic and replicated across the board at all companies -- and that's a good thing, otherwise it wouldn't matter where you intern and the experience wouldn't set you apart from others in your field.
The more important question is for you to identify what you are looking for in an internship such as how you want to grow, what your interests are, does the company's mission and values align with yours, do you see yourself growing, does the work you do inspire you? If you know the answer to these questions, or try asking yourself these questions when looking at your internship, you're taking the first step to setting yourself up for a successful internship.
Ultimately, regardless of the internship, you'll be assigned internship project(s). The questions above will help you work on/explore areas of your interest. Your goal should be to absorb as much information as possible, communicate frequently and effectively with your mentor and team whether it be successes or struggles, and try to complete the project(s) by the end of your internship. An important skill is to scope your project(s) ahead of time with your team to plan a feasible path to completion. By the end of your internship, you'll have grown tremendously, added value to yourself and the team, built valuable connections, and hopefully scored a return offer!
Good luck!
The key to a successful internship is fit and growth. There are a wide variety of internship roles in tech and each experience is likely to vary dependent on the role, size of company, size of internship class, the team you are placed on, etc. For example, a Series A startup with 2 interns vs a Series C startup with 20 interns vs an established 10,000 employee company with over a 100 interns will offer entirely different experiences due to a difference in structure, opportunities, mentorship, intern events, and more. Internship experiences aren't necessarily formulaic and replicated across the board at all companies -- and that's a good thing, otherwise it wouldn't matter where you intern and the experience wouldn't set you apart from others in your field.
The more important question is for you to identify what you are looking for in an internship such as how you want to grow, what your interests are, does the company's mission and values align with yours, do you see yourself growing, does the work you do inspire you? If you know the answer to these questions, or try asking yourself these questions when looking at your internship, you're taking the first step to setting yourself up for a successful internship.
Ultimately, regardless of the internship, you'll be assigned internship project(s). The questions above will help you work on/explore areas of your interest. Your goal should be to absorb as much information as possible, communicate frequently and effectively with your mentor and team whether it be successes or struggles, and try to complete the project(s) by the end of your internship. An important skill is to scope your project(s) ahead of time with your team to plan a feasible path to completion. By the end of your internship, you'll have grown tremendously, added value to yourself and the team, built valuable connections, and hopefully scored a return offer!
Good luck!
Catherine Andrus
Medical Device / Pharmaceuticals / Biomedical Engineer / College Athlete
28
Answers
Updated
Catherine’s Answer
Hi Zach,
You have some great answers from Tony and Dexter to give you an idea of what an internship will entail. The one thing I will add from the student athlete perspective is that you will see a lot of the 'soft' skills you've developed in athletics will translate into the workforce. You've learned how to work with a group of people to reach a common goal. You know that different teammates need different forms of motivation or communication - same will go for your coworkers. You know how to express your goals and address your concerns with a superior (coaches vs. bosses). And you've learned how to hold yourself accountable to expectations and put in the work needed to succeed.
Using your internship to make those connections between your experience as an athlete and the current challenges and tasks as an intern will prepare you well for your full time interviews and career!
Another thing I would recommend is to talk with your coach about your interest in interning. Having the conversation up front will make it easier to talk about modifying any offseason workouts or obligations you have so that you can meet potential internship schedules.
Best of luck!
You have some great answers from Tony and Dexter to give you an idea of what an internship will entail. The one thing I will add from the student athlete perspective is that you will see a lot of the 'soft' skills you've developed in athletics will translate into the workforce. You've learned how to work with a group of people to reach a common goal. You know that different teammates need different forms of motivation or communication - same will go for your coworkers. You know how to express your goals and address your concerns with a superior (coaches vs. bosses). And you've learned how to hold yourself accountable to expectations and put in the work needed to succeed.
Using your internship to make those connections between your experience as an athlete and the current challenges and tasks as an intern will prepare you well for your full time interviews and career!
Another thing I would recommend is to talk with your coach about your interest in interning. Having the conversation up front will make it easier to talk about modifying any offseason workouts or obligations you have so that you can meet potential internship schedules.
Best of luck!
Andrew Duff
Sales
4
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
An internship CAN be a great opportunity to learn and open doors for full-time positions. However, internships are not created equal. It's important to ask questions about the day-to-day responsibilities. Not clear on what the tasks and duties are? Ask to speak with a past intern. I've had internships in the past where I was put at a desk and forgotten about. I've also worked at companies that have created thoughtful internship experiences where the participants learn a great deal about the company, industry, products, people, customers and culture. Explore your options and weigh them against your post-graduation career goals to make the best decision.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3736
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Zach,
What Happens in an Internship?
An internship is a structured program that provides students or recent graduates with practical work experience in a specific industry or field. Internships are typically temporary positions that can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the organization and the nature of the work involved. The primary purpose of an internship is to give individuals hands-on experience in their chosen field, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in a real-world setting.
1. Application Process: The first step in securing an internship is to identify opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. This may involve researching companies, networking with professionals in the industry, and submitting applications online. The application process usually includes submitting a resume, cover letter, and possibly other materials such as a portfolio or letters of recommendation.
2. Interviewing: If your application is successful, you may be invited for an interview with the company or organization offering the internship. The interview allows both parties to assess whether there is a good fit between the intern and the organization. During the interview, you may be asked about your skills, experiences, career goals, and why you are interested in the internship.
3. Onboarding: Once you have been selected for an internship, you will typically go through an onboarding process where you will receive information about the company, its policies and procedures, and your role as an intern. This may also include training on specific tools or software used by the organization.
4. Job Responsibilities: During the internship, you will be assigned various job responsibilities that are designed to help you gain practical experience in your field. These tasks may range from basic administrative duties to more specialized projects depending on the nature of the internship.
5. Learning Opportunities: Internships provide valuable learning opportunities that can help you develop new skills, expand your knowledge of the industry, and build professional relationships. You may have the chance to work closely with experienced professionals who can mentor you and provide guidance throughout your internship.
6. Networking: One of the key benefits of an internship is the opportunity to network with professionals in your field. Building relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and other interns can help you expand your professional network and potentially lead to future job opportunities.
7. Evaluation: At the end of your internship, you may undergo an evaluation where your performance will be assessed based on factors such as reliability, communication skills, teamwork, initiative, and overall contribution to the organization. This feedback can be valuable for your personal development and future career prospects.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard University Career Services: Harvard University Career Services provides comprehensive information on internships including how to find internships, application tips, preparing for interviews, and making the most out of internships.
U.S. Department of Labor: The U.S. Department of Labor offers resources on labor laws related to internships as well as guidelines for employers offering internships.
Glassdoor: Glassdoor is a platform where current and former employees anonymously review companies and their management which can provide insights into what it’s like to intern at a particular organization.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
What Happens in an Internship?
An internship is a structured program that provides students or recent graduates with practical work experience in a specific industry or field. Internships are typically temporary positions that can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the organization and the nature of the work involved. The primary purpose of an internship is to give individuals hands-on experience in their chosen field, allowing them to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in a real-world setting.
1. Application Process: The first step in securing an internship is to identify opportunities that align with your interests and career goals. This may involve researching companies, networking with professionals in the industry, and submitting applications online. The application process usually includes submitting a resume, cover letter, and possibly other materials such as a portfolio or letters of recommendation.
2. Interviewing: If your application is successful, you may be invited for an interview with the company or organization offering the internship. The interview allows both parties to assess whether there is a good fit between the intern and the organization. During the interview, you may be asked about your skills, experiences, career goals, and why you are interested in the internship.
3. Onboarding: Once you have been selected for an internship, you will typically go through an onboarding process where you will receive information about the company, its policies and procedures, and your role as an intern. This may also include training on specific tools or software used by the organization.
4. Job Responsibilities: During the internship, you will be assigned various job responsibilities that are designed to help you gain practical experience in your field. These tasks may range from basic administrative duties to more specialized projects depending on the nature of the internship.
5. Learning Opportunities: Internships provide valuable learning opportunities that can help you develop new skills, expand your knowledge of the industry, and build professional relationships. You may have the chance to work closely with experienced professionals who can mentor you and provide guidance throughout your internship.
6. Networking: One of the key benefits of an internship is the opportunity to network with professionals in your field. Building relationships with colleagues, supervisors, and other interns can help you expand your professional network and potentially lead to future job opportunities.
7. Evaluation: At the end of your internship, you may undergo an evaluation where your performance will be assessed based on factors such as reliability, communication skills, teamwork, initiative, and overall contribution to the organization. This feedback can be valuable for your personal development and future career prospects.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard University Career Services: Harvard University Career Services provides comprehensive information on internships including how to find internships, application tips, preparing for interviews, and making the most out of internships.
U.S. Department of Labor: The U.S. Department of Labor offers resources on labor laws related to internships as well as guidelines for employers offering internships.
Glassdoor: Glassdoor is a platform where current and former employees anonymously review companies and their management which can provide insights into what it’s like to intern at a particular organization.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.