Hey everyone! I'm a computer science student on the hunt for my first internship and have submitted quite a few applications, but sadly, most have ended in rejection. I'm starting to think that my projects may not be quite strong or relevant enough to catch recruiters' eyes. I've got some academic projects under my belt, but I'm unsure about what really impresses employers when it comes to internships. I'd love to get your thoughts on the following:
- What types of personal projects tend to stand out?
- Are full-stack projects more impressive than smaller, focused ones?
- How complex should my projects be as someone with no experience?
- What exactly do recruiters look for on GitHub?
I'd appreciate any concrete examples or suggestions you can share. Thanks a lot!
4 Answers
Making connections can be just as important as your skill set. Start by reaching out to every connection you have at your school—professors, counselors, and the IT department. While it's crucial to build your skills, also consider projects that use those skills to create something related to popular platforms like YouTube or Netflix, just simplified. Show genuine enthusiasm when networking; you never know when an opportunity might pop up!
From my experience, having a few polished small projects is better than one large, unfinished one. For example, consider building a CRUD web app with authentication, tests, and deployment; a command-line tool; or even a simple game. Make sure your projects are user-friendly by including a README, screenshots, and easy instructions. It's also smart to customize your tech stack based on the roles you’re applying for. Keep in mind, though, that even with good projects, it can be tough to get replies these days; the internship market is pretty competitive right now.
Honestly, companies often expect perfect applicants, which can be frustrating. We’ve seen seniors get rejected for not knowing certain languages, even when they have relevant skills in similar areas. For interns, I'm mainly looking for a good work ethic, curiosity, and a relevant major in computer science or software engineering. The big issue right now is that many firms aren't hiring juniors or interns, which is pretty tough across the board.
It’s awesome to create something that addresses a genuine problem you face. That’s way more impressive than another basic to-do app or weather widget. Employers can really sense your passion for the projects you create versus when you're just checking boxes. For landing your first internship, having one solid, functional full-stack project is far better than multiple half-finished ones. Don’t forget to write a clear README that details the project’s purpose and how to run it, because most recruiters won’t sift through messy code.
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