Overview¶
So you've landed your first internship¶
Congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment and a great opportunity to gain real-world software engineering experience. However, it can also be a huge step away from what we as students are used to. Internships can be intimidating, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed when you're thrown into an unfamiliar organization with a hundred new concepts to learn.
Enter this guide!¶
This guide is meant to address some of the things that we wish we had known before starting our first internships. It is not exhaustive, and of course, every internship is different, but we hope that you'll walk away feeling more confident and prepared to hit the ground running.
Roadmap¶
Before you start¶
What can you do to prepare for your internship? How can you identify gaps in your skills before you're on the job? What should you do to get ready for your first day? This section will help you get started on the right foot.
Onboarding¶
What should you expect during your first week? How can you make the most of your onboarding experience? When should you ask questions? How should you tackle unfamiliar concepts? How can you get to know your team? This section will help you navigate the onboarding process and set yourself up for success.
Planning your project¶
What should you do once you've been assigned a project? How can you break it down into manageable pieces? How can you set yourself up for success? How do you align with your manager and team? This section will help you plan your project and set yourself up for success.
Getting feedback¶
How can you solicit feedback from your manager and team? How can you use feedback to improve your work? How can you give feedback to others? This section will help you navigate the feedback process early and use it to your advantage.
Hitting your stride¶
How do you know when you're in a good rhythm? How can you maintain your momentum? How can you stay organized and focused? This section will help you find your stride and keep it going.
Wrapping up your internship¶
What should you do to wrap up your internship? How can you reflect on your experience and learn from it? How can you prepare for your next opportunity? This section will help you wrap up your internship and set yourself up for success in the future.