Okay so I've been applying to internships since September and genuinely thought I just wasn't qualified enough. Sent out probably 40+ applications and heard back from maybe 3.

Started doing research and fell down a rabbit hole about ATS software. Didn't even know this was a thing until recently.

Basically every company above a certain size runs resumes through automated screening software before a human ever looks at them. The software scans for specific keywords from the job description, checks your formatting, verifies section headers — and if your resume doesn't match what it's looking for, you get filtered out automatically. No rejection email. Just silence.

I went back and looked at my old resume and it had so many of the issues these systems flag:

- I didn't use the exact keywords from job postings, just similar ones

- My bullets described job duties instead of outcomes

- I had my contact info in a text box at the header which apparently some parsers can't read

- And I didn't tailor my resumes for specific roles/ fields I was appling to

Rewrote everything with this in mind and my response rate went from basically 0 to actually getting interviews scheduled.

The thing that helped me most was finding a tool that analyzes your resume against the actual job description and tells you exactly which keywords you're missing and what's getting you filtered. Went from getting ghosted to having 3 interviews lined up.

Anyway — if you've been applying like crazy and not hearing back, it's probably not you. It's almost definitely the ATS. Worth looking into before you send another application.

Happy to share more about what I changed if anyone's curious.

Hi everyone! I’ve been dreaming of doing the FBI honors internship forever. I have never smoked weed, done any hard other drugs, and barely drank. About 6 years ago, however, rohypnol was put into a drink of mine, and i unwillingly ingested illegal drugs. I’m not sure how to go about filling the application for the internship, since I technically did not willingly do any drugs but I did take them. Do I not include this? What about at the polygraph test? Will this disqualify me? Any help/input is appreciated. Thanks all.

I just applied and it’s so W it’s a sales internship you can work your own hours and get hella commission fully remote too here’s the link if others wanna join

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4430012954/

Hi everyone! I’m a law student starting an internship at the FOX News bureau in Washington, D.C. this summer. It’s a super exciting opportunity, but I’m honestly feeling really nervous. I haven’t lived away from home in a while, and this feels like a big leap.

I’m hoping to make a really strong impression and be someone they remember as valuable, hard-working, and dependable. My background is in writing and media, and I think they’re placing me in a writing-heavy role (which is ideal!), but I’m not 100% sure what to expect day-to-day.

I’d love any advice on: • How to be a great intern in a fast-paced political/news environment • Ways to show initiative without overstepping • Tips for getting great experience and possibly capturing content for my future reel • What helped you stand out during your own internships

Any encouragement or insight would mean the world. Thanks so much in advance. I’m really excited but want to make sure I start off strong and stay grounded!

Hi everyone, for reference, I'm a 13 year old living in HK and I'm a future medical student, I want some internships that will keep me busy and occupied and hopefully earn some money in the process (that's a bonus). I'll take any internship right now, but hopefully something science/medicine related. i can't do volunteer work because the minimum age in HK is 15 to volunteer in a hospital setting and I've already decided that's the only kind of volunteering I want to do.

i have pretty decent skills for someone my age, i'm handy with a computer and good in science and math, i'm also a skilled writer as well if that will help. i'm fluent in english, canto, mandarin and spanish. does anyone have any advice for me seeking out internships? should i wait until i'm older? (don't really want to)

thank you all in advance!

-cam

Is having an internship overrated? Be honest. I feel like I always look on a social platform like Linkedin and see people flexing their new role as an intern at a company, but you never really get to hear how they got it. Nepotism? Most likely. I think we need to start trending in the direction of hard work, not some cushy desk job your dad got you. Those who show up everyday, work hard, and strive to be the best, will be the best. I’m sick of all this internship larping!!

let’s start off with who i am and why i set my sights on apple. i didn’t need to chase prestige but i wanted it apple’s the gold standard in tech and i thrive on challenges. plus, i’m not gonna lie the pay is high and that matters when you’ve got rents ramen and ambitions to cover.

my motivation

i remember scrolling through apple’s careers page late one night and thinking “that’s where i want to be.” it wasn’t just the logo or the salary it was the mindset apple moves fast demands excellence and solves problems no one else can. that pressure that pursuit of perfection was exactly what i needed to push myself.

my background

so could i just walk in and land a spot obviously not here’s what i stacked before even dreaming of Apple

• Verizon internship: i cut my teeth working on real world telecom projects debugging networks collaborating with senior engineers and presenting findings to managers. that experience taught me how big companies operate and what they expect from interns

• industry certification: i earned a recognized cert to prove i understood core concepts security protocols best practices. i won’t name drop but trust me it showed recruiters i could handle the technical rigor

• side projects: i built a mini dashboard to track my freelance gigs and a simple chatbot that automated reminders for my study group. these weren’t flashy but they were deployed maintained and got real users

• hackathon wins: i joined late night hackathons some 24 hour sprints some weekend marathons collaborated with designers pitched to judges and snagged a couple of top three finishes. that taught me rapid prototyping version control under pressure and how to pitch technical ideas in plain english

building my resume

i didn’t dump every experience onto a butchered PDF i treated my resume like a landing page

1. focused headline “CS @ <University> | Verizon Intern”

2. concise bullets each line started with a strong action verb “Developed” “Led” “Automated” and highlighted measurable results for example “Improved API response time by 20 percent” “Secured second place out of 30 teams”

3. tech stack section i only listed tools i could actually demo no fluff

4. project links every bullet that mentioned a project included a GitHub or live link so recruiters could click and verify in seconds

that’s how i went from “just another applicant” to “someone we need to talk to.” in part 2 we’ll dive into how i navigated apple’s interview process and the preparation that made me stand out.

if you’re chasing your own apple internship dream start by leveling up your background and crafting a resume that speaks louder than 100 generic applications.

TLDR: if you don't want to read all that, just go here and watch what I said, hope this helps someone.

I will be releasing a part 2 that goes deeper into what i actually did as this is quite generic in my opinion, but wanted to get up something to get you guys motivated!

Wondering what the title says

I keep running intot he same issues networking and never actually continue, spending hours searching LinkedIn, guessing emails based on company structure, and writing cold emailsthat take forever.

A few friends and I have been testing a tool that helps structure networking a bit more, you choose fields you’re interested in, it shows you relevant people, and helps draft a starting email you can edit before sending from your own email.

What surprised me most is that email responses have been way better than LinkedIn DMs (curious if others have noticed this too?).

Does anyone use something like this?

How can I get a intern (in finance ) I have mailed 50s companies but no one is hiring me , I know excel , power bi etc

Because I am 1st yr that's the reason?

Hey everyone 👋

I’m a postgraduate student in Computer Science (Data Analytics specialization) from India, currently looking for internship opportunities with U.S.-based companies — either remote or onsite (if visa permits).

I have hands-on experience in:

• 🧠 Machine Learning & AI — regression, classification, transformers, RAG, NLP, and generative AI

• ⚙️ Backend & Automation — Python, Django, Node.js, Spring Boot, REST APIs, and workflow automation tools like n8n

• ☁️ Cloud & Tools — Google Cloud (certified), Git/GitHub, Tableau, and Power BI

Some of my past projects include:

• Building a RAG chatbot using LangChain and semantic embeddings

• Creating a multi-class emotion classifier with ensemble ML models (92% accuracy)

• Developing an analytics dashboard using Django and REST APIs for real-time job trend visualization

I’ve been exploring platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, WayUp, and Handshake, but Handshake requires a U.S. university login or phone number, which blocks me from registering.

I’d love to hear from people who have:

• Found U.S. remote internships while based outside the U.S.

• Know companies or programs open to international interns

• Have tips for improving outreach or using alternative platforms effectively

Any advice, leads, or personal experiences would be super helpful 🙏
Thanks in advance, and good luck to everyone applying this season 🚀

And can earn it back by salary from internship?

I finished my data analytics and business studies in May 2018 and after taking a few months of vacation I decided to do an internship to complete my education. I was pretty (very) stressed about the whole process.

I applied to a few places all over the world until I found one offer that seemed incredible, it was called the "best internship of the world" and based in Cape Town, South Africa. The description stated that they were focusing on finding motivated individuals and adventure lovers specialized in business and/or data, which is my case. I applied immediately and after a very strange interview ended up getting the job. It turned out to be the best decision of my life.

I decided to write a blog post about it to share the experience, mainly for all future interns out there wondering if they should apply in startups or in bigger companies. The answer is YES, apply to startups, you will get to learn so much.

PS: I worked in other startups and in/with big corporations before so I think my opinion can be relevant in this matter ;).

ok i’m just curious what is in the swag bag for this year’s apple interns

I am 20(M) a student from India, how do I get my first internship. Need a Internship with basic entry level pay, where did you find your first internship. I am skilled in Python, C, Databases and can learn new skills easily.

i’m looking for an internship in Gurgaon/Noida/Delhi or Indore/Pune. i’ve done two internships in startups so I’m really interested in another startup only. have completed bba and i’m looking for roles in marketing/business development/founder’s office

i’m tired of linkedin taking up my 70% screen time and getting very low stipend offers or people wanting me to be based in their city only 😔

help a girlie out <3

(not willing to put my cv here, dm if you’re interested)

Hello I am a poli Sci major and was able to land an internship this summer all through connects. Connects r true beauty and it is important to never be the one to burn a bridge.

Hey all — I wanted to share a bit that might help others here prepping for tough interviews in investment banking, consulting, or PE/credit/restructuring roles.

I’ve worked across investment banking, financial restructuring (think A&M / PWP type firms), and private equity — and over the past couple years I’ve been helping students and early professionals land roles at top firms like Alvarez & Marsal RX, Baird RX, Middle Market Distressed Private Equity, I've done mock interviews, resume polishing, and even full behavioral prep for a few hundred folks.

Some of the biggest gaps I see:

• People undervalue behavioral prep — and end up sounding like everyone else

• Technical questions go beyond just guides (especially in RX and PE interviews)

• Non-target / international students often struggle to show their stories clearly, even if they’re qualified

If you’re prepping for:

• IB superdays

• RX/PE interviews

• Case-based consulting interviews

• Lateral finance roles or summer internships

…feel free to drop a question, ask for advice, or DM if you want direct help. I sometimes run mock interview sessions or deep-dives for those who want more support.

No pressure at all — just figured I'd give back here. Happy to offer some free pointers in the comments too.

Hey folks

If you're in 2nd or 3rd year BTech and you actually enjoy coding - not just writing code, but thinking about why it works - this one's for you.

We're StackX, and we're hiring Tech interns . You don't need a 10-pointer CGPA. You need to love solving problems and understand the logic behind what you're building.

What we're looking for:
1)2nd or 3rd year BTech student
2)Can think through a problem step by step
3)Comfortable writing code (any language is fine)
4)Curious, not just copy-paste

What you get:
1)Paid internship (yes, actual money )
2)Performance bonus on top
3)Real projects
4)Mentorship from people who care

DM to Join us ❤️

Let's build something cool.

I am a one-man-band business owner. My business is seasonal and it will barely get me through the winter. I have a friend that is studying business and has no internship experience. I would like to receive their help with improving my online presence and they would get something to put on their resume. I can’t afford to pay them an hourly wage and provide worker compensation, nor do I need much of their time and effort. This is a fluffy endeavor full of pixie-dust. How do I remain legal and fair without going through the paperwork and crap of gaining an employee? I know the whole unpaid internship is a fire-y topic here, so please leave this rhetoric aside. We’re friends that want to help ourselves haha. Also, they don’t have a job this summer and they are well-supported and comfortable with that. They can do whatever they want to do for the business with my consent. My friend is independent and passionate about business. There’s little to no demand. Win-win IMO.

Edit: Thanks y’all. 1099 independent contractor sounds like the best route. I have planned to pay them, so no need to cringe, just not as an employee with a salary/hourly wage.

Hello guys, I am a final year student. As the placement season has taken off, I am looking for jobs as well.

I am looking for companies that offer good base packages to engineer. I'm talking 20+. Some of such companies are Uber, Zomato and Google. Are there any other companies (MNCs/startups) that offer such base packages.

Thanks in advance guys. I know it's hard to get into such companies. But trying won't cause any harm.

openai just opened applications for its student collective campus lead program!!!

LINK

campus leads get:

• a cash stipend each semester

• a chatgpt subscription and codex credits

• funding and merch for campus events

• training and access to the openai team

• a global network of other campus leads

• potential opportunities to visit openai hq

you would basically organize workshops, weekly project-building sessions, and showcases where students share what they created with ai.

you do not need to be a computer science major or already have a portfolio of ai projects. openai specifically says students from every discipline can apply and that curiosity, initiative, and the ability to bring people together matter more than prior codex experience.

the main requirements are that you:

• are currently an undergraduate

• graduate after december 2027

• can commit around 4–6 hours per week

• attend college in one of the eligible countries

• are not simultaneously representing another ai company or ambassador program

the application also includes two video responses under 60 seconds and written questions about problems facing young people, something you changed your mind about, and your campus involvement.

applications close august 10, so i put together a guide breaking down the eligibility requirements, benefits, application questions, and how to approach the video responses:

https://www.interndock.com/tracker/guides/openai-student-collective-campus-lead-guide

even if you aren’t technical, this is absolutely still worth looking at. honestly, students who can make ai approachable to people outside of computer science might be some of the strongest applicants.

I'm a computer science grad from India. Can anyone help me find an internship please. Or if ur place is lookin for interns can u please let me know

This is a very unfortunate situation, and I don’t know what to do.

I am a 3rd-year student in my 6th semester and was desperately applying for summer internships but wasn’t getting any responses. So I added my friend’s experience to my CV to improve my chances and applied to a few companies.

One of those companies later came to my campus. This time, I submitted a different CV without that experience. I cleared the test, and during the interview, I realized they had my old CV. Still, I answered confidently, and since I had strong DSA and project skills, I got selected.

Now, before the internship, there will be background verification. I’m worried they might still have my old CV, and I don’t have proof for that experience.

This is a huge opportunity with a top MNC, and since March is almost over, I may not get another internship. I don’t want to lose this chance because of this mistake.

Please help—it would mean a lot.

Hi, I am an incoming CS freshman. Is it possible for me to secure a paid internship for summer 2026? I have been coding since 12 and have many full stack projects behind me. I recently started doing LeetCode more seriously. Do u think I still have a chance? Thanks!