Computer Science Internships Are Important.. Here's Why.

A lot of undergraduate Computer Science students often shy away from internship opportunities. Whether the reason is that it's too stressful to handle both school and an internship or they already have a job in an unrelated field, employers want experienced talent and they don't want excuses.

Internships help you develop practical experience

As a Computer Science major that has been interning at different companies for roughly two years, I was surprised at how unrelated some of my course work was to the actual Software Development process. Theory and academia is definitely important. Alas, all practical applications of software stem from some form of academic research. However, I have learned that school alone does not prepare you when it's time to land your first job. The concepts you learn in school serve as a strong backbone for other topics such as Front-end, Back-end, and Mobile development which you must develop outside of Academic studies. Employers love Computer Science degrees, but I would wager that they value Full Stack and VCS experience (Git) just as much. Internships allow you to strengthen those skills so that when you go out to the real world, you can confidently say that you can build that new web application your prospective employer needs.

Internships show you have ambition

Juggling an Internship while doing well in school is no easy feat. It takes dedication and can sometimes result in long hours of midnight overtime catching up with school work. Although it is a sacrifice, I believe it is certainly one worth taking. I would like to think employers sense that ambition. Many of us want to become Software Developers because we don't just think of it as a job, but as a way of life. We enjoy coding and seek the thrill in its obstacles. Setting yourself apart with an internship can show your prospective employer that you not only want to work in Software Development, but that you genuinely love the industry and are willing to do what it takes to be competitive.

I can't find an internship.. What to I do?

Don't stop looking and look often. Where I live, it can be a little difficult to find internships as opposed to a booming tech hub such as Boston, Seattle, or Silicon Valley. If you find yourself in that position, you might have to go out of state for the Summer to intern. I think that's an amazing idea and definitely worth delaying your graduation slightly if that's what it takes. I've seen many people graduate with a C.S. degree and have difficulties finding opportunities because they didn't have an Internship.

Don't be picky either if you can't afford it. My first internship was unpaid and I won't ever regret taking it. The sheer amount of knowledge and skills I acquired there set me up for great opportunities. Remember, experience can often times be more important than a paycheck.

It can also be very helpful to set up a repository on Github or Bitbucket to show prospective employers that you have experience with things outside of Academia. This speaks to the aforementioned points; It shows you have practical experience and that you are ambitious.

Conclusion

Internship experience is invaluable. Although it can be tough to manage both school and work, what you end up getting out of it is worth the extra effort. That said, I wish all of you the best of luck on finding new, exciting opportunities!