Scoring an Internship at Google? 👀
Yurii brings you tips on getting internships at Google, Nvidia, Amazon & Lyft!
Hey there, techie!
If you're just starting your career, we know two things are on your mind:
You should get an internship and add logos to your CV.
How do you get an internship?
Nina from PeerPulse Dispatch asked Yurii Rebryk, an ML engineer and founder who has done internships at Google, Amazon, Nvidia, and Lyft, to share some tips and tricks with our readers. Yurii is currently building Fluently - an app that helps non-native English speakers to improve English by getting feedback on their daily calls.
A quick look inside this post:
How to score an internship
Different cultures, tools and resource you can get your hands on
Most common mistakes people make when applying for an internship
First things first, how did I get in?
When I was in school, I was already aware of many people taking internships abroad.
So I just went for it, applied to Google. That’s the first internship I took, I understood how the system works and started actively applying. Within a year, I secured internships at Nvidia and Amazon. The secret is that there’s no secret - you just need to apply to as many companies as possible and shoot your shot.
Unveiling the Company Cultures
Each of these large tech companies is famous for its unique working culture that it has built up. These cultures contribute to how the talent within these companies grows and evolve.
Google is famous for giving employees time for creativity. You will meet brilliant minds pursuing their passions, but there are also a few slackers. You can expect everything you'd find in a fancy office - from snacks of every kind to free lunch and more. Nvidia is similar to Google - it's a dynamic environment where innovation thrives. Amazon, on the other hand, is different. Its culture is very strict, and that might be why it's more durable. There are no perks like free lunches, and maybe that's why they're doing well! Think frugality and limited resources. Trust me, though - it's an adventure worth experiencing.
It’s very much like this meme:
Tools and Resources
Internships offer a chance to learn from experts and gain new skills. Each company has its own coding tools.
I was impressed by a browser-based coding tool from Google, first time I saw something like that. Nvidia provided ample resources for deep learning model training. At Amazon Alexa is a separate business unit, so my team paid around $120,000 for computational resources for my internship project. That's pretty impressive.
So How to Land an Internship?
To increase your chances of getting an internship, start early and submit many applications. I learned this the hard way after applying late in my university career and failing my first Google interview because I couldn't answer the coding task. I also realized I should have practiced mock interviews in English beforehand to feel more comfortable.
Another mistake I made was applying only to Google, when I should have applied to other large companies. The year after I had my internship at Google I understood that I should send way more applications. I applied to 50 internships at Nvidia and Amazon in one year. Unfortunately, only half of them responded, and only 7 of 10 interviews turned into an offer and I accepted 3.
I chose my three favorite internships and structured them so I could do internships all year. I optimized the funnel to increase my intake and output. Remember, apply early and often.
For engineers, it's important to be able to solve algorithmic problems. Your level of experience and understanding of the basics will determine how well you will do
Most Common Mistakes
CV is the #1 pitfall for most applicants. Many CVs lack precision and fail to highlight significant accomplishments and skills. You need to understand, that HR departments receive thousands of CVs, including those from Google interns.
Having a Google internship on my resume significantly improved its appearance. It was like receiving an internal stamp of approval. If one HR likes your CV and finds your experience sufficient for a Google internship, others will also view you as a strong candidate.
Resumes are often skimmed or discarded, so it's crucial to keep them tidy, brief, and confined. Internships and real life experiences provide opportunities for students or individuals without projects to showcase their skills and demonstrate their capabilities. Reviewing your CV with others can help. Sometimes, what is evident to you may not be evident to others.
If you want PeerPulse to review your CV for free - send us a DM on Twitter! Dispatch team will also do a deep dive into CVs and resumes in the coming weeks, stay tuned!
To get into engineering internships, it's important to be able to solve algorithmic problems. This involves understanding data structures and problem-solving algorithms. Practice is crucial, but some people try to use hacks and shortcuts. However, this approach is problematic for companies, who are looking for candidates with a solid foundation.
Simply solving a large number of problems without truly understanding the principles won't be helpful in real-world problem-solving. A strong foundation is necessary to confidently handle problems and do well in interviews.
Another common mistake is waiting “to be ready for an internship”.
Some people procrastinate and use the excuse, "I'm not ready for yet. I need more time." But this is just an excuse. Even if you're not planning to take an internship this year, why not apply anyway? You can still gain experience and learn from the process.
Successful Internship Application by PeerPulse and Yurii
Practice problem-solving
Create an appealing CV and practice interviews. Your first internship will strengthen it for the next stage.
Apply to lot of companies: having more applications increases your chances of being selected.
If your internship went well, you will receive job offers. After my last internship, I received a very good offer with top-tier compensation. Your internship experience will make you more attractive to companies, which is great for students' careers.
We have seen and helped companies discover junior-level roles, but it seems like everyone wants senior applicants. Juniors often struggle to demonstrate their talents and value to employers. Internships are perfect for this. They provide an easy way to display your skills and help you build a track record.
If you’re looking for a job and don’t know where to start, sign up for the PeerPulse Dispatch!