Internship and All

Wassup!
Created → Jan 8, 2025 Last update → Jan 8, 2025

YOU GOT
INTO YOUR
:
 DREAM
COLLEGE.
NOW
WHAT?
Point of contact → Arafat Anjum Khan | Incoming Summer 2025
Cyber Engineer Intern | Goldman Sachs
arafat.khan@bison.howard.edu
:
 Internshi
p FAQs
Get the bag,
y’all!
Hey everyone,

First off, huge congrats on getting into your dream college! Some of you
have probably already finished your first semester, and some are gearing
up for the next Fall, but regardless, big shoutout to all of you! You’ve worked
hard to get here, and that’s something to be proud of. But honestly, the real
journey is just getting started.
:
 Moving to the US is just the first step – now it's time to focus on landing
that internship that’ll set you up for a full-time job later.

Who Am I?

I’m Niz Khan.

I’m an incoming Cyber Engineer intern at Goldman Sachs this summer

(2025) in Dallas, will be working in their Tech Risk Department. I moved
to the US in 2022 from Bahaddarhat, Chittagong, Bangladesh with a
near-full-tuition scholarship to Howard University, where I’m majoring in
Computer Information Systems with a focus on Cybersecurity.

Over the past few years, I’ve been grinding to land top internships. I’ve
interned at Control Risks and done programs with Google, McKinsey,
Chevron, and a few others.
Here are some of the things I’m proud of:

● Google Business Analytics Fellow

● Goldman Sachs Market Madness Runner-Up

● RSM-Chevron Cybersecurity Scholar

● McKinsey Consulting League Scholar

And just so you know, none of this came through connections or nepotism.
I’m an international student, just like you!

So why do you need internships?

:
 ● Real-World Experience: Internships give you the chance to take
what you learn in class and apply it in actual work situations.

● Learn New Skills: You’ll pick up useful stuff like teamwork, problem-
solving, and time management.

● Build Connections: Networking with professionals can open doors

to future jobs and referrals.

● Understand the Job Market: Internships help you figure out how
the U.S. job market works and what employers expect from you.

● Boost Your Resume: Having internship experience makes your

resume look way better.

● Figure Out Your Career Path: It’s a great way to try out different
industries and see what you like (or don’t like).

● Set Up CPT/OPT: Internships often lead to opportunities for CPT or

OPT, letting you work legally while in school or after graduation.

● Earn Some Extra Cash: Paid internships can help with living
expenses (because, let’s face it, college ain’t cheap).

● Build Confidence: Internships make you feel more ready for life
after college.

● Job Offers: Many companies hire their interns full-time, so it’s a

foot in the door!

Hope this helps – get out there and hustle!

:
 Timeline
Timeline
Here’s what your typical timeline would look like in the USA if you’re
graduating on time, taking no breaks, and have 2 semesters per year:

Semester 1 (August - December)

Semester 2 ( January - May)

SUMMER BREAK (May - August 15th (Approximate) | INTERNSHIP

CHANCE

Semester 3 (August - December)

Semester 4 ( January - May)

SUMMER BREAK (May - August 15th (Approximate) | INTERNSHIP

CHANCE

Semester 5 (August - December)

Semester 6 ( January - May)
:
 SUMMER BREAK (May - August 15th (Approximate) | INTERNSHIP
CHANCE

Semester 7 (August - December)

Semester 8 ( January - May)

GRADUATION
|
Joining Full-Time Job (Unless you are going for masters/PHD)

This is based on the standard 2-semester-per-year schedule used by

many universities in the US. Keep in mind, different universities might have
slightly different timelines, so feel free to adjust it to fit your school’s
academic calendar.

With 3 potential internship opportunities during your 4-year bachelor’s

degree, you’ve got plenty of chances to get real-world experience. If you
manage to land an internship each summer, you’ll be in great shape for
post-grad success!

Do's
:
 Do’s & Don'ts
Now I will be trying to write some Do’s and Don'ts for you guys in
your academic years. This will help you understand what you
should be doing in your academic years.
I’m not a Computer Science major and I didn’t do any kinds of
Software Engineering internships. So most of my advice would
be based around Cybersecurity/Finance Type (since I’m from a
Business School) and Internship in General.
If you want more specific Software Engineering related tips, I
would say follow Software Engineer influencers like
@zero2sudo on Instagram!

Disclaimers
1. The views expressed here are solely mine and may not
be accurate for everyone. Please don’t rely solely on my
words—always do your own research.
2. This guide is for those who are truly passionate about
landing a job.
3. If you lack the drive or ambition to work hard, this guide
won’t help you.
4. Landing a job before graduation requires consistent
effort, dedication, and persistence—it’s not an easy
journey.
5. Results will vary depending on individual
circumstances, opportunities, and timing.
6. I can’t guarantee your success; this guide is only a
roadmap to inspire and inform, but the execution is
entirely up to you.
:
 7. If you’re looking for shortcuts or magic formulas, this
guide isn’t for you.

Who is this guide for?

● International students.
● University students - specifically undergraduates (i.e.
freshman, sophomore, and junior)
● Aspiring software engineers/financial
analysts/cybersecurity with a passion for the field
● This guide isn’t really for anyone in their last year of
university.

How to Use This Guide

1. Class-Level Advice:
Navigate to the section that corresponds to your current class level
(Freshman, Sophomore, etc.) and follow the guidance specific to that
stage.

2. Plan Ahead:
Don’t stop at your current level—review advice for the next year to
prepare yourself in advance. Staying ahead can give you a
competitive edge.

3. General Tips:
Be sure to check out sections with advice that applies to all students,
regardless of their class level. These tips can be valuable no matter
where you are in your journey.

4. Take Action:
Reading alone won’t help—apply the advice in real-life scenarios,
adapt it to your situation, and keep refining your approach.
:
 5. Stay Consistent:
Success isn’t about doing everything at once—it’s about small,
consistent efforts over time.

General Advice

This section covers what you should always be doing throughout your time
at university, regardless of your year. Combine these with the specific
advice for your class level to maximize your chances of success.

DOs

1. Maintain a Strong GPA:

Aim for a 4.0 GPA or as close as possible. Recruiters often filter out
candidates with a GPA lower than 3.0.

2. Work on Personal Projects:

Always have personal projects related to your interest in progress to
showcase your skills.

3. Attend Networking Events:

Go to recruiting and networking events to build communication
skills and expand your professional network.
:
 4. Improve Your Resume:
Regularly review and update your resume. Proofread to avoid errors
and ensure it's top-notch.

5. Join Clubs/Organizations:
Participate in 1-2 clubs to work on group projects, which provide
valuable experience and enhance your resume.

6. Set Up Job Alerts:

Use LinkedIn, Indeed to set up alerts for your desired roles like
"Software engineer, Cyber Intern, Intern 2025, Summer Intern" .

7. Monitor Internship GitHubs:

Follow platforms like Simplify to stay informed about SWE/Cyber
internship openings.

8. Build a Portfolio Website:

Host a personal portfolio website to display your projects and skills.

9. Complete Online Assessments (OAs) Promptly:

Take OAs as soon as you can. Companies sometimes move
candidates to the next stage faster if they complete OAs early.

10. While applying for internships:

Make sure the company sponsors! In order to stay in USA after

graduation, you would need a company that will sponsor you. So
securing an internship with a company that sponsors, will help
smoothen your journey!
:
 DON’Ts

1. Skip Recruiting Events:

Don’t assume networking events are a waste of time—they’re
invaluable for connections and practice.

2. Slack Off in Courses:

Consistency in coursework is critical; don’t let your grades or
knowledge slip.

Freshman
Year Freshman Year (Semester 1 & 2)
:
 DOs

1. Focus on Academics:

○ Get good grades and pay close attention to your courses. A

strong academic foundation is essential for your future.

2. Choose the Right Major:

○ Opt for a major like Computer Science, Computer

Engineering, Computer Information Systems (CIS),
Management Information Systems (MIS) to align with industry
demands. Make sure to choose a STEM MAJOR as it will help
you get extra years for OPT.

3. Apply for Freshman/Sophomore Programs:

○ Target internship programs designed for early-stage

students (e.g., UberSTAR, Google STEP, Meta University). List
added below. Don’t miss out like I did!

4. Pursue Research Opportunities:

○ Landing an internship might be tough, so aim to secure a

Computer Science/Cybersecurity-related research position
at your university.

○ Reach out to professors or department heads early to

maximize your chances.

5. Build Your Resume:

:
 ○ Create a solid, well-organized resume highlighting your skills,
coursework, and any small projects.

6. Get Involved:

○ Join clubs (Coding Club, Cybersecurity Club) to start

building teamwork skills and gain experience through group
projects.

7. Start Projects:

○ Work on personal projects to enhance your technical skills

and create material for your resume. Depending on your
interest, you can create CS related Projects or Cybersecurity
Related Projects.

8. Follow General Advice:

○ Use the strategies listed in the general advice section for

consistent progress.

Key Takeaways

● Secure a research position to gain experience.

● Choose a relevant major (CS, CE, CIS, MIS).

● Maintain high grades.

● Join coding clubs and actively participate.

:
 ● Build projects to showcase your skills.

Resume Template: I used this resume template to create my resume:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g9MENC2JddIErJgjtEf0M8fbC-
C2jDfN/edit

List Of Underclassmen Internships:

Note: Most of these internships are CS/CE/Cybersecurity, Product

Manager, AI based. But make sure to take a look at them in case you
find your dream role!

Program Available Details

To

Google STEP Freshman, https://buildyourfuture.withgoogle.com/program

Sophomore

Meta Freshman, https://www.metacareers.com/pathway-program

University Sophomore

UberSTAR Freshman, 12-week internship open to SWE, PM, etc.

Sophomore
https://www.uber.com/us/en/careers/uberstar/
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 Microsoft Freshman, 12-week internship exclusively for sophomores.
Explore Sophomore https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/explo

Citadel Sophomore https://www.citadel.com/careers/details/launch-

Launch intern-us/

Dropbox Sophomore
SWE intern

Two Sigma Freshman https://www.twosigma.com/careers/internships/

Freshman
Internship

Rockwell Freshman 8-10 week SW/HW internship

Engineering https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us/care
Pathways student-early-career/edge-student-programs.h

EA Freshman, 12-week internship open to SWE, PM, etc.

Pathfinder Sophomore https://www.ea.com/en-gb/news/pathfinder

Ramp iOS Freshman, Housing stipend included, NYC internship

Software Sophomore
Engineer
Internship

Capital One Freshman, For beginners. Offers a bootcamp and internship p

Technology Sophomore experience with Capital One
Early
Internship
:
 Amazon User Freshman, Start dates - summer, fall, or winter in Seattle, WA
Experience Sophomore
(UX)
Designer
Internship

Amazon Freshman, Diverse candidates automatically considered for

Propel Sophomore known to accept mostly underclassmen
Program
(APP)

Amazon Jr. Freshman, Must live near Seattle, Part-time work during the
Software Sophomore (16 hours/week) & Full-time work during the summ
Development hours/week)
Engineer

Duolingo Sophomore https://blog.duolingo.com/duolingo-thrive-intern

Thrive

NVIDIA Ignite Freshman, Open to SWE, Hardware, AI, Graphics, etc. and ma
Sophomore CE, EE, etc. https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/about-
nvidia/careers/university-recruiting/

Activision Sophomore
Blizzard
SPARX

Palantir Freshman, https://www.palantir.com/careers/students/acce

Accelerate Sophomore

Sophomore
:
 Bank Of They have tons of opening! Just search,
America https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-
us/students/programs

Fellowships
Name Available To Note

Keploy API All students A training program for you

Fellowship to get into the world of APIs
and API Testing with Keploy
and help others grow with
APIs

MLH Fellowship All students Available for Spring,

Summer, and Fall. Stipend
available. Guaranteed
interview for MLH
hackathon winners

Year Up All students Free hybrid training

program. Get matched to an
internship after training
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 Jane Street Freshman Software engineering
Immersion Program fellowship at Jane Street
NYC. Scholarship available.

Two Sigma College Freshman Pair with an employee to

Mentor Connect contribute to open source
projects (part-time)

HeadStart Freshman, Virtual part-time

Fellowship Sophomore educational/mentorship
program during fall/spring
semester

Sumeru Fellows Freshman, The Sumeru Fellows

Sophomore Program is a paid
internship/mentorship
program for college
students interested in
technology, business, and
private equity

LyftU Early Talent Freshman,

Development Sophomore

Uber career prep Freshman, 6-month SWE learning &

fellowship Sophomore mentoring program

Microsoft New Freshman, 7-week hands-on training

Techs Sophomore program. Mentorship from
Microsoft senior staff
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 Capital One First Freshman,
Gen Focus Sophomore

SEO Tech Sophomore 6-week immersion program

Developer + interview prep and
training (Freshman can
apply to the self-paced
academy program)

CodePath Summer Sophomore Join the waitlist here

Internship for Tech
Excellence

IBM Accelerate Sophomore 8-week summer virtual

learning experience in
tracks such as Software,
Hardware, Design, etc.

Wells Fargo Sophomore Various offices to

Discovery participate in a rotational
Fellowship experience. Pathway to full-
time internship

Salesforce Sophomore Paid pre-internship where

Futureforce Tech you're taught web
Launchpad development

Google Summer of All students Program for developers new

Code to open-source
contribution. Stipend
available
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 Outreachy All students Match students to an open-
source project. Stipend
available

Bellingcat Tech All students 2-6 month self-paced

Fellow program to work on open-
source research tools.
Stipend available

Keploy DevRel All students Get into the world of

Cohort DevRels and experience
being one for a month

Internship-matching Fellowships
Name Available To Note

Emma Bowen All students Match to

Foundation fall/summer/spring
Fellowship internships. Available
for students in CS,
Business, Journalism,
etc.
Coding it All students Connecting students in
Forward’s tech to government
Fellowship offices
INROADS All students STEM & Other Majors

All students
:
 Kleiner Perkins
Fellows
8VC Fellowship All students Fellowship open to CS
& Design majors.
Register interest here
Neo Scholar All students Get matched to start-
ups, plus mentorship &
resources for building
your own
GGV NextGen All students
Fellowship
YES Internships All students

Code2040 All students

Fellows
Hack Diversity All students Match NYC and Boston
students to
internships. Provides
year-round technical
training

Externships/Insight Series

Name Available To Note

Jane Street FTTP Freshman Insight into Jane
Street for trading.
Runs March 24th -
March 28th, 2025
SIG Discovery Day Freshman, Program is in
Sophomore March 2025
Palantir Launch Sophomore Program is in
March 2025
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 Discover Citadel Freshman,
Sophomore
Jane Street SEE Freshman, Insight into CS and
Sophomore Math in Finance.
Express interest
here
Morgan Stanley Sophomore
Early Insights
BNP Paribas Sophomore
Opportunity
Summit
Bloomberg First Freshman
Year Insights
JPMorgan Chase Sophomore
Career.edYOU
D.E. Shaw Sophomore
Fellowships
Five Rings SDE Sophomore
Intensive Program
Nordstrom Nspire Sophomore
Program
Impact Labs All students Professional
Summit networking event
for students &
professionals in
NYC
Paragon One All students
Career Bootcamp
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 Credit: @justinSE + ME

Sophomor
e year Sophomore Year (Semester 3 & 4)
Sophomore year is super important—it’ll set the stage for your junior year
internship season, which is when most companies hire. For me, I barely
secured a small internship this year, and honestly, it was mostly luck
because I slacked off during the first semester. I hope you’ll do better than I
did!

DOs:

● Master the STAR Method: Practice it by talking to a wall or working

with friends. It’ll help you ace behavioral questions in interviews.
:
 ● Apply to as many internships as possible: Start applying early
and often. In my sophomore-junior year, I applied to 30-50 positions
a day. I wish I had started that in my sophomore year to avoid the
struggle.

● Leave no stone unturned: Be relentless in your internship search.

Don’t skip any opportunities.

● Keep improving: Follow advice, keep applying, and continue making

progress.

DON’Ts:

● Don’t stop applying until you land an offer: Keep at it until you get
that internship!

Key Points:

● Securing a summer internship is your top priority this year.

● Don’t hesitate to sacrifice a few classes to attend recruiting events.

Trust me, it’s worth it.

● Keep improving your resume by adding projects, personal

experiences, or anything that boosts your profile.

Personal Improvement:

● Know how to talk to people: Networking events are so important.

Work on your elevator pitch, introduce yourself confidently, and make
:
 sure you engage with people well. This video helped me a lot: How to
Network Like a Pro.

● Get inspired by others: I’m a big Shah Rukh Khan fan, and I love
how charming and witty he is. Check out this video of him: Shah Rukh
Khan’s Charm. I try to bring some of that into my own conversations—
be witty, chatty, and respectful. It works wonders!

Start building your brand:

● Create an awesome LinkedIn profile: Your LinkedIn is your online

brand. Make sure it represents you well. Here’s mine for
inspiration: Niz Khan’s LinkedIn. I’m not saying to copy it, but I think I
did a solid job of marketing myself. Make sure to do the same for your
own profile and showcase what you bring to the table!

Junior
Year
:
 Junior Year (Semester 5 & 6)
Junior year is the most crucial year for your future career, as the internship
you secure this year will likely lead to a full-time offer through a return
offer. If you haven’t landed an internship by now, it’s time to get serious
about it.

DOs:

● APPLY, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY.

● Apply to every single SWE/CYBER/AI-ML/Tech related internship

opportunity you come across—leave no stone unturned.

● Master the STAR method if you haven’t already.

● Keep following the general advice.

DON’Ts:

● Don’t stop applying until you land an offer.

Key Points:

● Don’t stop applying until you land an offer. AGAIN!

● Do everything you can to get an internship.

● NETWORKING EVENTS! I attended every single networking event

this year and talked with thousands of people! Make sure to
connect with them on LinkedIn immediately!
:
 ● Apply every day to be part of the first pool of applicants for any
internship opportunity.

● Land that crucial summer internship.

Personal Improvement:

1) Do not get tired of applying and unmotivated: Here’s how many

internships I applied to in my Junior year only in HANDSHAKE. JUST
IN HANDSHAKE! I also applied using Linkedin, Indeed, Individually
by going to companies’ websites.

All together I probably applied to around 3000 internships in

my Junior year and then landed my dream role. It’s not easy, it’s
tiring, it’s messy, it’s depressing and on top of that, it’s soul-
crashing.

But don’t get demotivated. It is what it is! You chose this life, so
keep working and don’t stop til you get what you want!
:
 Senior
Year
Senior Year (Semester 7 & 8)
By now, you should have at least one internship and a solid set of projects
on your resume. If you’ve secured a return offer, congratulations! If not, get
back to applying. Having some work experience will make it easier this time
around.

If you’ve struggled to land internships:

● Think outside the box: Apply for non-SWE roles in tech (IT, help
desk.

If you’re a Senior without experience:

:
 ● Network and apply for every opportunity.

● Consider non-traditional paths: Look for tech-related roles at

smaller companies or freelance work.

● Don’t give up: Keep learning, creating projects, and stay persistent.

● PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY PRAY
PRAY

Random
Tips Random TIPS:

Applying
After setting up LinkedIn, Indeed job alerts, I applied directly through the
links provided by these sources.
:
 For any short-answer questions in applications, I used AI to write my
responses.

I also created a cover letter template that I could customize by changing

the company name, using inspiration from cover letter templates online.

Some other tips:

● Create a folder for bookmarks in your preferred browser.

○ This folder will hold all the tabs you need for a job application
session.

● Tabs I used:

○ ChatGPT

○ Simplify

○ LinkedIn Jobs “Picked for Me”

○ My resume PDF

○ Cover letter template.

● Apply quickly to each job, verifying your email with the email
dashboard when needed. Use the cover letter template when
required, and let ChatGPT and AI Humanizer handle short-answer
questions. Be sure to input your resume into ChatGPT so it can tailor
responses to you.
:
 ● Stay focused: Turn on focus music to get into the zone and grind
through applications.

Interviews
Behavioral:

● Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure

responses to situation-based questions.

● Avoid rambling. Stay on topic and ensure your answers are concise
and relevant. If you stray off-topic, quickly refocus on the main
question.

● When asking your own questions, ask about what the interviewer
does, the role you’ll be doing, and company culture.

● Avoid generic questions like “What’s the company culture

like?” Instead, ask something more insightful, such as “What’s the
expectations from Intern on a Professional level”

● Do some research on the role and company beforehand to help

guide more informed and targeted questions.

● Take your time when answering. Don’t rush. It’s okay to say, “That’s
a great question, let me think for a moment.”

● Use short pauses between sentences to avoid filler words like "um"
or "ah."
:
 ● Nod to show you’re actively listening. Don’t interrupt the
interviewer.

● Maintain an interested and engaged demeanor. Keep a happy,

bright facial expression—avoid looking bored.

Technical Interviews (Coding/Cyber Related):

● Think out loud throughout the interview. Let the interviewer know
what you’re thinking and how you’re approaching the problem.

● If you're unsure, ask for hints or direction. Most interviewers want

to see you succeed, so don't hesitate to ask for guidance.

● Avoid asking if you’re on the right track; instead, continue voicing

your thought process. They want to hear how you problem-solve.

● If the interviewer provides feedback or advice, use it. Don’t ignore it

and continue with your own method, even if you feel it’s better.
They’re testing your ability to take criticism.

Networking

Networking:

The best networking I did was connecting with people I met at recruiting
events, especially on LinkedIn. After talking to someone, I’d say something
like, “Hey, would love to stay in touch—do you have LinkedIn?” Then I’d
quickly send them a connection request with a message like:
“Hey, it was great meeting you at <event> on <date> and chatting
about <topic>. Hope we can stay connected!”
:
 From there, I’d ask if they’d be willing to refer me to a job opening if I
found something that matched. A quick Google search for referral
request templates helped me craft a good message after career fairs.

Here are some extra tips to make your networking even better:

● Make It Personal: When you talk to someone, try to build a real

connection. Ask them stuff like, “Where did you graduate from?” or
“How many job offers did you get when you graduated, and why
did you choose this company?” It helps you connect on a more
personal level and makes you more memorable.

● Follow Up Fast: After meeting someone, try to follow up within 24-

48 hours. The sooner you do it, the fresher your conversation will be
in their mind. Bring up something specific you talked about to show
you were paying attention.

● Talk to a Lot of Companies: At career fairs, try to talk to as many

companies as possible. Get there early to make the most of your
time. Even if it’s not your dream company, you never know where a
connection could lead.

● Ask About Their Story: People love talking about their own
experiences. Ask them things like, “What’s been the best part of
your role?” or “What advice do you have for someone just starting
out?” It helps you build a stronger relationship and shows you value
their perspective.

● Don’t Jump Straight to Asking for a Job: Building a relationship

should always come first. Don’t immediately ask for a referral or
job. Take the time to connect and show genuine interest first. When
you do ask, be sure to mention how much you admire the company
and how the job fits your skills.

● Be Persistent, But Respectful: If they don’t respond right away,

don’t take it personally. Follow up after a week or two, but keep it
:
 short and respectful. People are busy, so a friendly nudge can
remind them of you.

Networking is all about making real connections, so focus on building

relationships first. It’s something you can really take advantage of in college,
so don’t skip out on these opportunities!

I took a lot of inspiration from this doc while making this doc. So thanks to
this anonymous redditor!
: