How to Choose the Right Tech Internship: Big Company vs. Startup Many students looking for tech internships think well-known, established companies are the only good option. For many people, though a scrappy startup with a small, ambitious team can be a fantastic place to learn. When setting your sights on a role, focus on three things: -------- 1. Learning Opportunities At big companies, the training is structured. There are mentors, onboarding sessions, and plenty of resources to help you grow. On the other hand, startups offer a different kind of learning. You’re given big responsibilities right away. There’s less structure — and that means a steep learning curve. -------- 2. Impact At the big company, you’d be part of a massive team working on established products. Even though your contributions might feel smaller, they’d impact millions of users. But at the startup? Your work would directly shape the product. You’d get to see your code go live faster, sometimes within days. -------- 3. Career Goals Thinking about your long-term goals will help. Big companies can be great for building a recognizable brand on your resume. It’s a name that often opens doors down the line. Startups, though, teach you how to build something from the ground up. If you want to start my own company someday, those skills would be invaluable. -------- If you’re debating between a big company and a startup, consider your goals. Each experience is unique, and only you know what you truly want to gain. In the end, it’s about choosing the path that excites you the most. 💻 Get more tips like this in our complete guide to securing a Tech internship 📝 Sign up for free at: https://lnkd.in/eK5wJeyp #InternshipPlaybook #TechInternship #SWEInternship #TechInternship2025 #SoftwareEngineering #StudentResources #TechCareers
Internship Playbook’s Post
More Relevant Posts
-
The Importance of Internships in Tech Startups Twenty years ago, internships were more like holidays. Most of us completed projects at government-run companies like BSNL or Door-darshan, mainly focused on copying reports to earn a certificate. Real industry experience often came only after a few years on the job. Today, things are different, especially at tech startups. Interns work on live projects that shape a company's growth. They gain skills and real-world experience that help launch their careers. What's Unique About Tech Startups? Hands-On from Day One: Instead of just observing and taking notes, interns are actively involved in meaningful projects from the start. Diverse Experience: Interns often juggle multiple roles, providing a broad understanding of the industry. They could be coding one day and brainstorming business strategies the next. Immediate Impact: Their work directly affects the company's progress, and they see their contributions come to life quickly. Curiosity and Learning: Startups love interns who are eager to learn and explore. It's not just about completing tasks, but also about understanding the bigger picture. Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Internship Bridge Theory and Practice: Many interns arrive with strong theoretical knowledge but need to recognize that classroom projects are different from real-world applications. Find a Mentor: A good mentor can guide you through projects and challenges, helping you understand how to apply your skills effectively. Stay Grounded: It's easy to be dazzled by tech buzzwords but focus on how technology creates value by solving real problems. In short, internships at tech startups are exciting and offer great learning opportunities. They are more than resume builders; they provide hands-on experiences that shape careers and help interns contribute meaningfully to the tech world. #TechInternship #Sportstech #ZPLYS.AI
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Your words really took me back to our college days twenty years ago, where our access to the internet, technology, and learning opportunities was quite limited. However, there has been a significant paradigm shift in these areas today. Students now have vast exposure to resources, opening doors to endless possibilities. When coupled with practical learning experiences, they have the potential to evolve into tomorrow's tech leaders. At #Zypls.AI, we're on the lookout for individuals ready to push their boundaries and dive deep into the technologies of tomorrow. As Sheryl Sandberg wisely said, "If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, don't ask what seat! Just get on." We believe in seizing opportunities and embracing challenges, and we're here to provide the platform and support for individuals to soar to new heights in their tech journey. #TechInternship #Sportstech #ZYPLS.AI
The Importance of Internships in Tech Startups Twenty years ago, internships were more like holidays. Most of us completed projects at government-run companies like BSNL or Door-darshan, mainly focused on copying reports to earn a certificate. Real industry experience often came only after a few years on the job. Today, things are different, especially at tech startups. Interns work on live projects that shape a company's growth. They gain skills and real-world experience that help launch their careers. What's Unique About Tech Startups? Hands-On from Day One: Instead of just observing and taking notes, interns are actively involved in meaningful projects from the start. Diverse Experience: Interns often juggle multiple roles, providing a broad understanding of the industry. They could be coding one day and brainstorming business strategies the next. Immediate Impact: Their work directly affects the company's progress, and they see their contributions come to life quickly. Curiosity and Learning: Startups love interns who are eager to learn and explore. It's not just about completing tasks, but also about understanding the bigger picture. Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Internship Bridge Theory and Practice: Many interns arrive with strong theoretical knowledge but need to recognize that classroom projects are different from real-world applications. Find a Mentor: A good mentor can guide you through projects and challenges, helping you understand how to apply your skills effectively. Stay Grounded: It's easy to be dazzled by tech buzzwords but focus on how technology creates value by solving real problems. In short, internships at tech startups are exciting and offer great learning opportunities. They are more than resume builders; they provide hands-on experiences that shape careers and help interns contribute meaningfully to the tech world. #TechInternship #Sportstech #ZPLYS.AI
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
HUGE announcement!! I've always been an advocate of startup internships, but have seen first-hand how complicated it can be to pursue one. I've looked into solving the problem with software, job boards, etc. but those can only solve a small portion of the issue. At the end of the day students still get ghosted, pay can still be complicated, and it can be hard for students to tell which startups are actually going to succeed. But on the flip side, I’ve seen a handful of students quickly create life-changing opportunities for themselves by simply understanding how to make sense of the chaos. The thing is that startup internship recruiting doesn’t work like traditional job recruiting. If you have the right skill set, you can create an opportunity with any company that interests you whether they're hiring or not. So me and Nohely Diaz Ontiveros, the most successful startup intern I know, put together a Skool community to help students gain the skills necessary to make this work. Most of all, we wanted to create a place where students could help each other save time and secure great opportunities. And to support in that process, I uploaded my essay "A Student's Guide to Startup Internships" along with videos on finding great companies, reaching out effectively, negotiating pay, selling yourself, impressing the team, and more. All lessons we share come from facilitating over 150 internships through Catalyst XL over the last year or so, and from directly interviewing countless startup founders on what they look for in interns. We want to turn what's often a months-long, painstaking process into only a couple weeks. And though we're taking on some costs to host this thing, we got the price down to as low as we possibly could at just $5/mo! The link to join is in the comments! Feel free to comment or DM me with any questions! #internship #opportunity #startup #entrepreneurship #tech #business #engineering #swe #experience #community #
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
I encountered many individuals eager to intern at startups, especially college students. For some, it was about gaining experience; for others, it was networking, exposure or simply enjoying the thrill. While interning is a fantastic way to get hands-on experience, they miss out on bringing one important things on the table - their craft! The real focus should be mastering your craft and helping the company move forward. Startups are high-pressure environments where challenges arise daily, and that's precisely where growth happens. I put this typically in three paths, each offering valuable opportunities to build your skills: ⚡️ Success: Focus on what works and amplify it. 🔥 Explosions: Innovate and adapt under pressure. 💥 Failures: Develop resilience and problem-solving skills. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not just about caring for the company—it’s about meaningful contributions and being resourceful. 🌟 At Colab, interns train to be transform into assets for the company rather than liabilities. This transformation happens when you learn to add value, streamline processes, and optimize workflows. In the fast-paced startup world, speed is crucial, and if you can provide that, you're already in the top 5%. ✅ Here’s a detailed piece I recently wrote based of our learning in all these years: https://lnkd.in/gREF3rgX 💡 I’d love to hear what this community thinks. Feel free to comment or DM to collaborate. 🙋🏻♂️ By the way We’re excited to showcase how our interns excel at our upcoming demo day towards the end of the month. Just like this post for an invite or get on our invite list via forms in the blog post. #startups #internships #collegecareer #earlytalent #summerintern #colab #fallinternships #universities #tech #engineering #business #finance #marketing #cohorts port #folio
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
💫 💫 All engineering college students planning to start their careers as software engineers/developers should consider following at least one technical startup founder in their surroundings. ✅ ✅ If you have the opportunity to intern under such a founder, it could be the best thing that ever happens to you. 🔥🔥 We all understand that the life of a startup founder is not straightforward; they face many challenges day in and day out. Why is it so important to follow a technical startup founder? You will gain insights into: ⚡️ - How they approach technical solutions? - How they manage their time? - How they solve complex problems? - How they handle relationships with team members? - How they build high-performing teams? - How they collaborate with other founders and work towards business goals? - How they continue to learn? - What books they are reading? - How they communicate the vision and mission of their startup? - How you can learn entrepreneurial lessons from them? The job of a startup founder is to work 24x7 to keep their dream alive. They don’t have a choice. In one of my recent posts, I emphasized that college students should start seeking internships as early as their second year. By doing so, you may secure internship opportunities with companies of varying sizes: - Startups with 1-10 employees. - Small companies with 10-200 employees. - Mid-sized companies with 200-1000 employees. - Large companies with over 1000 employees. If you come across internship opportunities, don't miss them. Such opportunities are invaluable. Personally, I recommend starting with startups or small companies. You'll learn a lot by doing so. 👍👍
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Calling All Students: Projects and Micro-Internships Just for You! 🚀 Finding real, skill-building experience shouldn’t be so hard. That’s why we’ve partnered with top startups to offer hands-on projects and micro-internships—where you’ll work alongside industry leaders, build real skills, and add standout experiences to your resume. Here’s what Opportunest, our platform, offers: • Startup Impact: Real-world projects with innovative startups • Resume-Boosting Skills: Experiences that make your resume shine To get early access and get matched with projects and micro-internships: ➡ Drop your .edu email (US & Canada only) in the comments below! #StudentOpportunities #Summer2025 #Winter2024 #CareerGrowth #SkillBuilding #FutureReady #TopStartups #Internship
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
After months of writing, rewriting, revising, then revising again and again, "A Student's Guide to Startup Internships" is published! Here's how I've broken it down: - Why Intern at a Startup? - How to Get the Internship - Finding the Company - Showing Them You Care - Telling Them How You Can Help - Negotiating Compensation - Impressing the Team: 6 Rules - Methods for Success - 10 Startup Lessons to Keep in Mind This has been an incredibly rewarding project to put together, and I'm beyond excited to finally share it. Check it out with the link in the comments! #startup #internship #recruiting #venture #tech #innovation #collegestudents #universitystudents #creativity #impact #career #writing
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Hey all, We have one question for you. Have you ever wondered why an internship at a startup is a good idea? Let’s discuss! Wear Multiple Hats & Make a Real Impact: Startups are all about agility. You'll dive into diverse projects, gaining exposure to different areas of the business. Your contributions will be seen and valued, making a tangible difference in the company's success. Learn from the Best (and the Busiest!): Startups are filled with passionate, experienced founders and early employees. You'll have the chance to learn directly from industry veterans. Innovation at its Core: Startups are hotbeds for creativity. You'll be surrounded by a culture of problem-solving and experimentation. Fast-Paced & Fun: Startups are dynamic. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy a close-knit team atmosphere, a startup internship is for you! Build Your Network & Stand Out: In a smaller company, you'll have the chance to connect with everyone. This network can be invaluable as you launch your career. Thinking about an internship at a startup? It's an incredible way to gain valuable skills, make a real impact, and position yourself for future success. #startuplife #internship #careeradvice Feel free to share your thoughts on internships in the comments!
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Are you a start-up founder in search of motivated talent? Or a student looking to maximise your experience during your internships? Allow me to introduce a new way to connect you both through an intuitive platform (https://lnkd.in/g4fGxjcv) that connects ambitious students with young start-ups. 💻 For Students: Elevate your experiences and portfolio by joining us to: 1. Work on startup projects that build your skills and enhance your resume. 2. Connect with forward-thinking founders eager to share their knowledge and insights. 3. Work in a fast-paced and motivated environment where your ideas can lead to meaningful impact. 🌱 For Founders: Are you a startup founder in search of motivated talent? Our group offers you the opportunity to: 1. Collaborate with enthusiastic students ready to contribute fresh ideas to your projects. 2. Expand your network and find dynamic individuals who can help drive your vision forward. 3. Foster the next generation of innovators and leaders in a supportive environment. ✨ Don’t miss out on this chance to enhance your resume and connect with your next big opportunity! Join us today and start making an impact! #StudentOpportunities #Startups #ExperienceMatters #Internships
To view or add a comment, sign in
-
Many college students in 2nd or final year is messaging me to refer for internships. Everyone cannot land up in Big tech internships because of less number of vacancies but An idea I got is you can make use of TV programs like Dragon's den or Shark tank running in your country to end up in a paid internship/stipend. You can check the shows or even Wikipedia page of Dragon's den or Shark Tank where startups raise the money. The wiki page shows which startups were successful with funding. Once they raise the money, they definitely like to expand the team. Definitely they will have a page in LinkedIn. So use LinkedIn to reach out to them (In some startups, you can reach the founder directly) and definitely you can find a summer internship for yourself and you get stipend and experience to improve your career. Apply for as much as possible. Also a startup will have more chances of hiring an intern than an experienced employee. The Worst case scenario is you will end up with "NO" as reply- that's not a big deal anyways. You always have plenty of Startups. FYI - Shark Tank and Dragon's den are fund raising TV shows for startups. #Dragonsden #Sharktank #internships #jobs If you have any suggestions, you are welcome. :) Lots of Love to my LinkedIn family ! :)
To view or add a comment, sign in
2,897 followers