How do you get an Internship in Tech?

Beneath is a information written by Matthew Whyte, 2022 Summer time Advertising and marketing Intern at HubSpot. This information is written for school college students in search of an internship or their first job in tech. All through this information, a framework can be supplied on how one can get an internship/job in tech with suggestions & tips from a scholar who has been in your sneakers. 

A typical false impression: you have to be a pc science main to work in tech. That is 100% not true. In 5 minutes or much less, you may get a run-down of how one can break into the tech world from somebody who was in your sneakers final yr. I actually am a Public Relations and Finance main working as a Advertising and marketing intern at HubSpot. No matter your main, there’s a place for you at a tech firm. You see it throughout TikTok, with Software program Engineers making over 200K however nonetheless, I guarantee you there are many profitable roles which might be non-technical, like being a Enterprise Growth Rep (BDR) or a Product Advertising and marketing Supervisor (PMM).

My primary piece of recommendation is to discover your pursuits early on. I’ve typically discovered that involving myself in new golf equipment by means of faculty and internships has helped me acquire route for my profession. You may discover your pursuits in numerous methods, from taking a category outdoors your course of examine, making use of for internships, or attending a brand new membership at college. 

So, why work in tech? These are only a few of the observations I’ve skilled thus far.

• #1: Work-life stability – It’s probably you’ll have a great work-life stability in comparison with many different professions. Many tech corporations worth attending to know you as an individual. Firms like HubSpot and LinkedIn do issues like having per week of relaxation.
• #2: Participating tasks – The work might be going to be fascinating. In case you are fascinated by expertise and prefer to work in a fast-paced atmosphere, expertise is an attractive place to be. In comparison with faculty, working in tech may also help you’re taking your research to a brand new stage by studying the real-world software of ideas.
• #3: Advantages – You’ll probably have a good wage and insane perks. Sure, the rumors are true. At HubSpot, I’ve been capable of expertise an infinite provide of snacks and an occasional ping pong sport. Tech corporations are infamous for providing free meals, a fitness center/fitness center stipend, cool merchandise, charger merchandising machines, and many others. 

Right here is my 5 step course of that helped me begin my journey into the expertise sector.

• #1: Determine what pursuits you – First, discover out what corporations/merchandise curiosity you. I might begin with enthusiastic about what expertise you employ every single day. Do you employ an iPhone or an Android? Do you’ve gotten an Xbox or a Ps? After that, transfer to particular complete expertise classes that curiosity you. For instance, are you curious about engaged on software program that companies use every day to run their enterprise? Look into HubSpot or Sq.. Belief me – an organization might be on the market that matches your pursuits. 
• #2: Decide your necessities to your internship/job – Consider this as a guidelines. As an instance you need to work in Houston, Texas, make a wage of at the least 85K, be at a bigger firm, and have nice perks, akin to well being advantages and paid day off. After you make a guidelines, decide which corporations match your standards. I’d begin with figuring out what space you need to stay in together with utilizing a value of residing calculator like this one. Do not get me fallacious, this may be fairly difficult as a scholar to know these items early on however specializing in the place you need to stay is a good start line.
• #3: Create a LinkedIn – Subsequent, create a LinkedIn profile (if you do not have one but), then enter the corporate/staff you need to be taught extra about. After that, be certain that to activate a job alert utilizing key phrases and the situation you have an interest in. Viola! Now you’ve gotten entry to staff on the firm, and also you’ll be notified of recent jobs.
• #4: Be your self – Attain out to professionals with a personalised message and ask them if you happen to might arrange an informational espresso chat with them. On this message, you need to exhibit your curiosity within the firm, make it private to the person, and be simple. The aim of this step is so that you can get to satisfy somebody new and be taught extra about their profession. An added bonus is that if the particular person additionally attended your faculty or if you happen to share one other commonality with them as a result of that’ll probably improve the probabilities of you getting a response. 
• #5: Espresso chat time – The time has come. You bought the espresso chat. From this name/meet-up, your objective is to be taught as a lot as you’ll be able to about what the particular person does. Are you able to envision your self within the position? Ask questions like, what does your day-to-day appear to be? What’s the work tradition like at [COMPANY]? In what methods can I put together myself for this position?

These steps are additionally key to networking, which is a crucial step in breaking into tech and discovering extra about your profession aspirations! Remember the fact that networking is a steady course of even while you’re making use of for internships/jobs. Particularly in tech, there’s at all times one thing new to be taught and discover. 

When you begin making use of, begin by asking your community if there are any open roles at their firm. I am going to provide you with an amazing firm to begin with – Go right here and apply for positions at HubSpot (you’ll thank me later). 

Now I do know this isn’t the end-all-be-all, definitive approach to get a job, however I do know that you’ll discover your manner by means of this seemingly daunting and infinite world of tech. Be happy to achieve out to me on LinkedIn for any questions, and I can’t wait to see the place you’ll find yourself!