Early Internship Programs for 1st/2nd Year Students
Information on internship opportunities for first and second year students.
This guide was written in 2019, and the links are out of date, but the programs mentioned below are still recommended!
Please note that this is certainly not an exhaustive list, and there are a number of additional companies that may not have first-year/sophomore specific programs, but that are first-year/sophomore-friendly.
Opportunities
Microsoft Explore | Deadline: Rolling
Microsoft Explore is a 12-week summer internship program specifically designed for college underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores) and offers a rotational experience that enables you to gain experience in our different software engineering roles. This program is designed to give you hands-on experience with various tool and programming languages in the field of software development, and encourage you to pursue degrees in computer science, computer engineering, or related technical disciplines. Your on-the-job learning will be augmented with mentoring, community building and networking opportunities.
Qualifications:
Candidates must be freshman or sophomore students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in the United States, Canada, or Mexico with a demonstrated interest in majoring in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering or related technical major. Students must have completed an Introduction to Computer Science course (or equivalent class) as well as one semester of calculus (or equivalent) by the start of the program. Finalists will be selected on the basis of eligibility and demonstrated interest in the software industry.
Google STEP internship | Application Open: Fall, Deadline: End of October
The Google Step Internship program is a 12-week developmental opportunity for first and second-year undergraduate students with a passion for technology—especially students from historically underrepresented groups including women, Native American, Black, Latino, Veteran and students with disabilities. Our unique internship offers the opportunity to work on a software project alongside other EP interns and full-time Googlers, and gives you the chance to bridge the gap between academic understanding and practical professional experience.
Minimum qualifications:
Must be a first-year or second-year undergraduate student currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or a related technical field at a university in North America.
Programming experience in one or more of the following languages: C, C++, Java, JavaScript or Python.
First-year students must have taken one college level Computer Science course by end of first semester. (AP or IB Computer Science is acceptable).
Students must be available for a full-time 12-week internship from May- August or June-September
Preferred qualifications:
Second-year students should have taken two Computer Science courses.
Authorization to work in the United States.
Returning to a Bachelor’s degree program with at least two years remaining in their academic program after completion of the Summer 2019 internship.
Google Summer of Code | Applications Open: annually in March
Spend your summer break writing code and learning about open source development while earning a stipend with the Google Summer of Code! Accepted students work with a mentor and become a part of the open source community. Many become lifetime open source developers! Google Summer of Code is open to post-secondary students, age 18 and older in most countries.
Qualifications:
You must be at least 18 years of age
You must currently be a full or part-time student (or have been accepted for the fall term) at an accredited university as of the student acceptance date
You must be eligible to work in the country you will reside in during the program
You have not already been accepted as a Student in GSoC more than once
You must reside in a country that is not currently embargoed by the United States. See Program Rules for more information.
Facebook University | Applications Open: annually in September 21st, Deadline: annually ~December 1st
Facebook University is a hands-on, immersive internship program that enables students from underrepresented communities to get to know Facebook’s people, products and services. In just eight weeks, the program gives interns across engineering, analytics, product design, operations and global marketing solutions roles the opportunity to make a real impact and help redefine how the world connects.
Qualifications:
Current first year (Class of 2022) or second year (Class of 2021) college student studying at a four-year university (or equivalent program for special cases) in the U.S.
Must have authorization to work in the U.S. at the time of hire and for the duration of the internship (June - August)
Must be at least 18 years old by program start date
Demonstrated interest in science and technology
Available to work in Menlo Park, CA or Seattle, WA for the duration of the internship
Knowledge of at least one programming language (ie: C/C++, JavaScript, Java, PHP, Ruby, Python, Lua, Objective C etc.)
How to Apply:
The application for FBU for Engineers open in September and closes in December
Applicants will be asked to submit their resume, both their high school and college transcripts (official or unofficial will suffice), and complete a writing exercise.
Twitter Academy | Deadline: Rolling
Twitter Academy is a paid 12-week summer internship program designed for second-year students interested in gaining hands-on and real-life experience in the tech industry. This program is for students historically underrepresented in computer science (black, Hispanic/Latinx and Native American).
Code2040 Fellows Program | Applications open: September annually, Deadline: November annually
The Code2040 Fellows Program builds bridges between top, college-level Black and Latinx computer science students who want to access the Innovation Economy and have been historically overlooked and companies who are in need of this talent. In the process, Fellows gain the network and experience they need to have careers in the sector and company partners learn how to operationalize diversity and inclusion with entry level candidates.
Our Code2040 Fellows spend their summer in an intensive career accelerator between June and August. Fellows intern at a top-tech company and participate in a series of workshops designed to equip them with the tools and resources they need to navigate the tech industry and build an exciting career.
And they won’t do this alone: Being a Fellow means building community with other Black and/or Latinx technologists, receiving support from mentors and managers, redefining the future and face of tech, and ensuring other technologists from their community have the opportunity to succeed in the innovation economy.
Qualifications:
Be an undergraduate or graduate student planning to return to school in the fall semester following the internship
Have experience coding
Attend a U.S. college or university
Self-identify as Black and/or Latinx
Be interested in advocating for racial equity in the tech industry
Attribution
This guide was adapted from Wellesley College.
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