Where can I find a computer programming internship?

What's the best way to earn a computer programming internship?

• I'm working in school toward being a software engineer, but I've only taken basic C, C++, and Java courses. Most internships I've applied for have asked for more qualifications, but I don't know how to get those without an internship. In the long run, I'd love to design software and applications.

• Answer:

  I think your question falls into two parts. The first being how do I get an Internship, and the second how do I get relevant experience. First... Believe it or not, it is often a lot harder to get an internship than a permanent placement. Most (not all) places have an intern program not because they want to cultivate young new talent for future employment. Instead, its seen as a cheap way to find eager help for very short periods of time. For this reason, candidates are scrutinized much closer to try to find people that can be helpful with minimal investment in time for first day. Even the good companies that are actually trying to cultivate young talent often suffer from way to many applications for the openings they have available. My advice is not to be to worried as to what not getting an internship might mean for future employment. Second, getting experience in other technologies isn't really an issue. Things change so much from month to month, that past experience really isn't that relevant. It's more of an issue of how confident are you that you can learn what you need to, when you have to accomplish a goal in a particular tech. For that, you just need to find a hobby project in that tech, and get a 'taste' of how it all works. Ultimately, It's as simple as finding a need, and filling it. This means find some project that interests you (can hold your attention), and play in the new technology until you solve it. Typically something simple is best even if its been done 100 times before. Doesn't matter how small or potentially 'lame' the project is, as long as you find it interesting. The idea is to drive your understanding of the tech, by engaging your mind in the context of a problem to solve. This is what you would have to do in the real world when given a project to accomplish. When your done, take pictures/screenshot, or diagram how things works. This can lend to a portfolio which you can use during interviews. Even if it's 'stupid', it shows you accomplished a result, and eager about the tech. You would be surprised how that can distinguish you.