techy guys, please read. looking for summer internship in tech field for sophomore college student.

[rockwind1]

this is just a last ditch effort after helping my 20 Y/O look for a summer internship this summer. apparently, 90% of getting one is who you know. I am a long time member on this forum, as well as accurate shooter, ARF, and long Range hunting.

I am 60 y/o retired fire captain, NRA member, native Nevadan and member in good standing at both my local shooting ranges here in Las Vegas, (Boulder rifle and pistol club, and Desert Sportsmans Rifle Club)

my son attends Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate NY. His specialty is cybersecurity, robotics, and writing code, including AI code. He is just finishing his sophomore year. He is exceptionally smart with a composite 130+ IQ and has done some amazing stuff with computers. he is not a gamer. his social skills are currently under construction.

If anyone is in a position to get his resume into a recruiters hands at ANYPLACE where they have comp sci, comp engineering, robotics, AI, cybersecurity, or IT internship programs, please feel free to pm or even email me at [email protected]

just to be clear,, ANY summer job, ANYWHERE, in his field, whether remote or in office, is fine, apparently, getting a summer internship aka summer job, is very important for these college students these days.

no need to make fun of me, I know this is a long shot and not the typical place to ask. yes, he/we have put in hundreds of applications online.
attached is his resume if anyone can forward it
crossposted in another forum as well.

 

[Adam B]

Technology Sales Intern | Steve Wylie

My region will be hiring a technology sales intern for this summer to be a part of the Trace3 Tracer program. Ideally I'd like this person to be between their junior and senior year and would like the person to be located in Ohio for the summer to allow for the most in-person engagement...

www.linkedin.com

I know it is all in technical but it is a start

 

[rockwind1]

Technology Sales Intern | Steve Wylie

My region will be hiring a technology sales intern for this summer to be a part of the Trace3 Tracer program. Ideally I'd like this person to be between their junior and senior year and would like the person to be located in Ohio for the summer to allow for the most in-person engagement...

www.linkedin.com

I know it is all in technical but it is a start

thanks, i sent the gentlemen a message and resume.

 

[Old Man with Gun]

Consulting companies can be a good place to look. Companies like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, CGI, and Accenture all have intern programs.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute should have relationships with recruiters, also talk to the smaller local consulting groups. Consulting companies are project based. See what they are looking for.

 

[mi650]

Euro Optics needs some website help.

 

[DownhillFromHere]

My son got his best internship via a guy I knew through one of the gun clubs to which I belonged. Totally chance thing - so your asking here on SH is not a bad idea at all.

My son is a software engineer. I understand about "social skills... currently under construction." He struggled so hard with his senior-year job fairs and interviews... but he did land with the company he interned with and is now a well-compensated senior engineer there. But his human social skills remain "under construction."

Interestingly, after four years there, he was laid off during the pandemic, but landed less than a month later with a big raise. But he still helped a former coworker who was saddled with his responsibilities. Then, when he was laid off from the new job after just a few months as the pandemic wore on, he was brought back into his former company with a promotion and another raise. He's been there now almost ten years.

I wish your son luck. Persistence is everything. After I graduated college fifty years ago next spring, I worked for well over a year at a subsistence farm job that, some days, would gag a maggot. But when I landed, it was in a dream role using practical skills I picked up as part of my job search. And some of life's best lessons were learned on that farm job - not the least of which is how it feels to be looked at like you're nothing and how persistence can feel so futile.

Tell your son DON'T GIVE UP, and even menial subsistence jobs have value.

 

[748rpilot]

How good are his C/C++ and VHDL skills, actually? Also, advanced math skills ((partial-)differential equations, stats & probability)?

 

[jrhtx]

thanks, i sent the gentlemen a message and resume.

No offense, but he needs to send his own resumes. You helping him find contacts is one thing but you sending your son's resume, well, no.
I know you want to help him in every way you can but you won't be in the interview, right?

I may be old school but having hired hundreds of people from engineers, technicians, labor, divers, pilots, etc, over 40 years and interviewed several times that, he needs to stand on his own.

 

[mgoodrich]

As a student , I went through my Universities job placement service to get my first job.

I did a quick search and noticed that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the same service for jobs as well as co-op and internships. Going this route the companies understand that the students don't have the contacts in industry that helps later on. I would think that this would be the best way, and I am assuming he has already tried this? What may have happened here?

 

[lennyo3034]

No offense, but he needs to send his own resumes. You helping him find contacts is one thing but you sending your son's resume, well, no.
I know you want to help him in every way you can but you won't be in the interview, right?

I may be old school but having hired hundreds of people from engineers, technicians, labor, divers, pilots, etc, over 40 years and interviewed several times that, he needs to stand on his own.

As a supervisor of a bunch of young aerospace engineers, I agree with this.

One of the biggest challenges I face with some new hires is lack of independence and having to hand hold. A resume would mean more coming from the candidate himself. If a parent joined in on an interview that would be an instant red flag.

 

[Caba]

x3 if someone's parent sent me their child's resume I wouldn't even bother looking at it. Instant red flag.

 

[Vivacious Stallion]

As a supervisor of a bunch of young aerospace engineers, I agree with this.

One of the biggest challenges I face with some new hires is lack of independence and having to hand hold. A resume would mean more coming from the candidate himself. If a parent joined in on an interview that would be an instant red flag.

100% this.

 

[saddlerocker]

I work for a company called Redzone Robotics in Pittsburgh, PA.
They often have interns from CMU and Pitt.

 

[AZLong]

My son had difficulty getting internships as well (ASU engineering). He seemed to think he had plenty of time to get his resumés out. Finally learned to start Christmas/New years. His current internship will likely go full time next month. Designs solar panels for satellites. Loves it. Apply early and often. Perseverance and enthusiasm are key...HIS, not yours....

 

[JoshPutman]

Euro Optics needs some website help.

Or MDT at a certain time of year.

 

[wpeach1912]

Job Search

inl.taleo.net

Not too far from you in Vegas too

 

[DeathBeforeDismount]

You want the hard truths or not?

This should also be in the pitt

 

[jthor]

Have him hit up Aerospace Companies for internships. Big or small, there are a lot of start ups currently. Not hard to get if you put in the effort. My wife did hers at Northrop on the James Webb Telescope and was hired right after the internship having a job secured upon graduation.
Just brute force out applications. No one is going to want to put their credibility on the line for someone they don’t know. Once you’re in on the Aerospsce industry it becomes a lot easier to move around.

The only time I’ve seen folks not get internships in this field had zero to little enthusiasm to get one. Definitely made getting a job afterwards more difficult as well.

 

[rockwind1]

As a student , I went through my Universities job placement service to get my first job.

I did a quick search and noticed that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has the same service for jobs as well as co-op and internships. Going this route the companies understand that the students don't have the contacts in industry that helps later on. I would think that this would be the best way, and I am assuming he has already tried this? What may have happened here?

Yes they do have a small department that does that supposedly however the reality is that they are not quite as dedicated and available as you might think

 

[JFricke]

I recommend having your son identify a company he wishes to work for and then physically going to the location with a resume and clean clothes and making it known that he wants to work and is willing to sweep the floors if that’s what it takes in order to be involved and get his foot in the door.

As a manager there is nothing more compelling than an intelligent articulate person with that type of initiative.

 

[Qpski]

x3 if someone's parent sent me their child's resume I wouldn't even bother looking at it. Instant red flag.

And why is that?

 

[748rpilot]

I recommend having your son identify a company he wishes to work for and then physically going to the location with a resume and clean clothes and making it known that he wants to work and is willing to sweep the floors if that’s what it takes in order to be involved and get his foot in the door.

As a manager there is nothing more compelling than an intelligent articulate person with that type of initiative.

I did that in 2010 after graduating college and couldn't get past the front desks, and they wouldn't even take the printed resumes.

OP, absolutely take the advice given by others here and do not contact anyone on your son's behalf. I run a Systems Engineering team with two young guys (early 20s) and they are hard enough to manage. If your son isn't calm and confident talking to people in interview settings, consider laying out for interview coach and prep services.

The job market is tough, employers have a LOT of options. I interviewed several candidates with credentials similar to your son's that also had "founded" "startups" and/or been published in academic journals.

Many people do this, but he should not put anything on his resume he is not willing or able to discuss in detail at the drop of a hat. Colleges will tell you to list any technology you've ever used but I think, as someone who interviews candidates, this is wrong. To me, it sends a message of misrepresentation, and when I have piles of applications for 1 or 2 jobs, well....

Finally, I'd suggest learning about and broadening his search to more niche or less known industries where the technical skill applies, but to a different line of work. For example, I asked about his C/C++ and advanced math skills because those are in-demand skills for jobs in trading industry. Also, there's probably less overall applicants for those positions than for jr software engineers or AI. Is he into auto-racing? Apply at race teams, manufacturers or fabricators; computer modeling is huge.

Finally finally, just a word of caution: you say he is exceptionally smart, and I believe you. But tell him to leave any attitude about that at the door when he leaves in the morning. It's a big world and it is filled with brilliant people, especially in aerospace, Trading, AI, engineering and CS. Probably half of my coworkers have PhDs in hard science from elite institutions. It's not advisable to engage in a battle of wits.

 

[Caba]

And why is that?

Seriously? If a person isn't capable of doing something as easy as sending in their own resume, there is something off with them. How will they deal with the pressure of the work place?

 

[Qpski]

Seriously? If a person isn't capable of doing something as easy as sending in their own resume, there is something off with them. How will they deal with the pressure of the work place?

You have no idea how the world functions.

Have the child call you for a scheduled interview or to discuss how he can present himself to you for a job if you have one for him.

Did you read the section where the member stated that, ostensibly, 90% of landing a job hinges on your network?

 

[Caba]

You have no idea how the world functions.

Have the child call you for a scheduled interview or to discuss how he can present himself to you for a job if you have one for him.

Did you read the section where the member stated that, ostensibly, 90% of landing a job hinges on your network?

? Did you read my post? We are on the same page. Where did I disagree with that. Network is everything but you don't need your parents sending in your resume to HR.

 

[YotaEer]

I am not a tech guy whatsoever, but I am now an executive with a company that I started out with as an unpaid intern, begging to be given a chance. So, I am sympathetic to your son's spot and you as his father wanting to help.

As for tech people/companies who may have a spot, Randy Cottle owns this firm and is a great person. If your kid was from WV, he'd crawl across broken glass to give him a spot.

Still, won't hurt to reach out. They have grown substantially and just opened a new office in TX.

Trilogy Innovations, Inc. | Federal IT Services | 8(a) Certified

Trilogy Innovations, located in Bridgeport, WV, is a minority-owned software and systems engineering company that delivers superior technical solutions for a variety of industries across private and public sectors. Application Modernization, Cloud Services, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity.

www.trilogyit.com

 

[rockwind1]

My son got his best internship via a guy I knew through one of the gun clubs to which I belonged. Totally chance thing - so your asking here on SH is not a bad idea at all.

My son is a software engineer. I understand about "social skills... currently under construction." He struggled so hard with his senior-year job fairs and interviews... but he did land with the company he interned with and is now a well-compensated senior engineer there. But his human social skills remain "under construction."

Interestingly, after four years there, he was laid off during the pandemic, but landed less than a month later with a big raise. But he still helped a former coworker who was saddled with his responsibilities. Then, when he was laid off from the new job after just a few months as the pandemic wore on, he was brought back into his former company with a promotion and another raise. He's been there now almost ten years.

I wish your son luck. Persistence is everything. After I graduated college fifty years ago next spring, I worked for well over a year at a subsistence farm job that, some days, would gag a maggot. But when I landed, it was in a dream role using practical skills I picked up as part of my job search. And some of life's best lessons were learned on that farm job - not the least of which is how it feels to be looked at like you're nothing and how persistence can feel so futile.

Tell your son DON'T GIVE UP, and even menial subsistence jobs have value.

thanks for the kind words, sounds like my second "real" w2 job in my late teens, i was, among other things, a "hub hopper" , i would run in front of the blade and shoot grade with a hand level. sometimes the blade would hit a hidden manhole cover and i would have to go down into the live sewer and clean out all the rocks and dirt. i think the driver did it on purpose sometimes. always nice to see the tampons and turds flowing again after i got done. never saw OSHA anywhere as i went down into a confined space over and over again, too stupid to know about hydrogen sulfide at the time.

i'm hoping he does get something menial just to build some life experience. we had hope for something thru my wifes work, the third party IT company that helps them with their security but he just heard back from them that they are not big enough to do a summer gig.

 

[rockwind1]

I am not a tech guy whatsoever, but I am now an executive with a company that I started out with as an unpaid intern, begging to be given a chance. So, I am sympathetic to your son's spot and you as his father wanting to help.

As for tech people/companies who may have a spot, Randy Cottle owns this firm and is a great person. If your kid was from WV, he'd crawl across broken glass to give him a spot.

Still, won't hurt to reach out. They have grown substantially and just opened a new office in TX.

Trilogy Innovations, Inc. | Federal IT Services | 8(a) Certified

Trilogy Innovations, located in Bridgeport, WV, is a minority-owned software and systems engineering company that delivers superior technical solutions for a variety of industries across private and public sectors. Application Modernization, Cloud Services, Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity.

www.trilogyit.com

thanks,, I am going to have jason reach out! that is what is good about a internship, they are designed to make you more hirable for that company later on after you graduate. however, the smaller companies can't afford to take the initial risk of wasting time with a newbie sometimes.

 

[rockwind1]

? Did you read my post? We are on the same page. Where did I disagree with that. Network is everything but you don't need your parents sending in your resume to HR.

and in retrospect, i shouldn't have done it that way. boomer mistake. son is just in last 3 weeks with finals looming, with one particularly tough class, so i was just figuring if the person liked the resume, then son could take it from there. i was just trying to save a step for him. oops.

 

[Caba]

and in retrospect, i shouldn't have done it that way. boomer mistake. son is just in last 3 weeks with finals looming, with one particularly tough class, so i was just figuring if the person liked the resume, then son could take it from there. i was just trying to save a step for him. oops.

I can't blame you, every good parent will do anything to help their kid. It doesn't mean you can't be there alongside him to coach him along. Best of luck.

 

[mgoodrich]

Well, since he is graduating around May 2027, it isn't that critical he finds one this summer in my opinion. More so that he can find one between junior and senior year. This fall, back in college,he should go to the school's out placement service. Usually that is when most companies are looking for the next summer.

https://prosple.com/software-engineering-internships-usa, I found this site which you may have already tried.

Anyway, one guy I worked with was working as a caddie at a local golf course and was able to meet several VP's at the company I started with and was able to get in with those contacts.

Another happened to be a musician (played piano). He worked for a couple of years in this and realized that making a living would be difficult. Went back to school in engineering, but would still play gigs in the summer and for holiday parties. My company booked him for a Christmas party for the higher level management and met several VP's that got him an internship that summer and a job there after he graduated.

So, if you can't get an internship this summer, find a job that would help him work on his social skills and forces him to interact with people. Being that you are in Vegas, tending bar is an example where he would learn how to deal with people.

Hope things work out the way you would like.