For students and early-career developers, an internship is often how the first line of experience gets onto the resume.
Some internships even lead to full-time software engineering jobs. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), roughly 72% of interns who complete an in-person program go on to receive a full-time offer. And even when they don’t, the production experience and references can be invaluable.
This guide covers how to get a software engineering (SWE) internship in 6 practical steps, from the fundamentals worth learning first to what to expect in an interview.
Key Points
- Software engineers and developers are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts overall employment to grow by 15% through 2034.
- Competition for software engineering jobs is fierce, but getting an internship can give you an edge. Internships show employers you can do real engineering work.
- When applying for internships, a strong portfolio matters as much as your GPA.
- Networking and referrals can also dramatically improve your odds. Around 39% of job seekers land referrals from their networks.
Why Software Engineering Internships Matter
Beyond the offer rate, an internship does 2 things that classrooms can’t. For starters, it builds production experience. That means working in a real codebase and navigating code reviews as you ship something real. Second, it generates references and connections that could well help you land your first full-time role.
That second part is often underrated. A senior engineer who has worked with you for 10 weeks can speak to how you debug and take feedback. They’ll also be able to vouch for how you operate under deadline pressure. That’s something a GPA and a few side projects can’t really match.
The 6 steps below detail how to get that first software engineering internship.
1. Build Your Technical Foundation Before You Apply
Getting a software engineering internship with no experience starts with building core technical skills. These include coding fluency in languages like Python or Java and computer science fundamentals, such as data structures and algorithms. These are the skills employers often look for, and they’re what you’ll often find in job descriptions.
The path you took to get here doesn’t matter as much as where you stand now. Computer science majors usually have the academic exposure but still need to practice for interviews. Bootcamp graduates and self-taught developers often have project experience but may need to shore up on theory. Either way, the same fundamentals apply.
Core Technical Skills to Build
Programming language fluency is a must for securing that first internship and eventually becoming a software engineer. Start by mastering at least 1. According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey, the most popular languages include:
- Python for back-end development, data structures, algorithms, and machine learning (ML)
- Java for application development (web, mobile, enterprise)
- JavaScript (used in conjunction with HTML and CSS) for web development (front end, back end, interactive)
- C++ for performance-critical apps, game dev, systems programming
Choose a language based on the types of roles that interest you most. Once you’ve got a handle on 1 or 2, you can always move on to others.
Besides coding languages, recruiters also screen applicants for these skills:
- Data structures for arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, and hash maps
- Algorithms for building responsive software (sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming, breadth-first and depth-first search (BFS/DFS))
- Computer science fundamentals (basic understanding of how memory works, what a REST API is, how databases store data)
- Version control, including comfort with Git for commits, branches, merges, and pull requests
Data structures and algorithms are the backbone of coding interviews, while basic system design awareness is geared toward more senior internships.
2. Build a Portfolio That Proves You Can Ship Code
Once you’ve got the fundamentals down, the next thing recruiters want to see is evidence you can build something. For software engineering, that means a public portfolio of code.
A GitHub profile lets you show off your best work. Keep your portfolio neat and on point so recruiters don’t have to sift through dozens of projects to find relevant. Try to include a handful of high-quality, domain-specific projects. These should be projects you’re proud of and can talk about in an interview.
For each project, include a README that includes key details like:
- The project’s description and overall purpose
- Setup and installation instructions
- Use cases
- Any contributors
- Software license
What Makes a Strong Portfolio Project
A strong portfolio project should show potential employers what you’ve built and how you think. It should also emphasize how you solve real problems, either solo or with others.
Your projects should be:
- Functional: It solves a real problem. It’s not just a tutorial clone.
- Readable: The code should be clean and readable. Having a descriptive README explaining what it does and how to run it helps.
- Live: If possible, include a live demo link. Screenshots work for web or mobile apps.
- Diverse: You don’t need to overdo it, but you should show range. Ideally, you’ll include at least 1 back-end project and 1 front-end or full-stack project. Include an algorithmic project, too.
- Linked prominently: Include links on your resume and LinkedIn profile. If you write a cover letter, include 1 there, too.
Don’t worry about including paid or client work this early. A portfolio’s job at the internship stage is more to demonstrate capability and curiosity than a commercial track record.
3. Craft a Resume and Cover Letter That Get Past the Screen
Nearly three-fourths (71%) of hiring managers rely on the applicant tracking software (ATS) to screen candidates. For your resume to be seen by a human, you’ll need to write it in a way that passes that initial screening.
Here’s what an ATS-friendly resume looks like:
- Text-based PDF or Word document: It should have clean formatting and minimal to no design elements. Keep formatting consistent.
- Highly relevant: Use the same terms the posting uses for languages, frameworks, and tools. Generic resumes rarely make it through.
- Scannable: Recruiters don’t have much time, so keep your resume simple and to the point. Avoid dense paragraphs.
- Specific and complete: Don’t use generic or AI-heavy content, and avoid noticeable gaps in experience.
Follow similar rules when drafting cover letters, always being sure to lead with your most relevant skills and projects.
Resume Essentials for SWE Internships
Keep it to 1 page if you can, and include the following:
- Skills section at the top: List the skills you’re proficient in. Include core languages (e.g., Python or Java), frameworks, and engineering tools.
- Summary: Tailor your summary and skills section to the role. Include words that match the language in the specific job description.
- Education section: If you’re pursuing a college degree, include that. You can also add relevant certificates or bootcamps you’ve taken.
- Projects section: List 2 or 3 relevant projects with a GitHub link. Each should have a 1-line description. Specify which tech stack you used. Quantify anything you can—for example, “reduced load time by 40%” or “processed 10K+ records.”
- Experience: This section should have your most recent experience first. This could be another internship or volunteer work. It could even be work you’ve done on a freelance basis.
4. Find and Target the Right Internship Opportunities
Getting an internship as a software engineer can be tricky. Internships often get filled long before most candidates start looking. Knowing where to search and when to apply matters as much as your qualifications.
Where to Find Software Engineering Internships
You can find software engineering internships through a combination of:
- Company career pages: Apply directly at target employers like Intuit, Google, Meta, Amazon, Microsoft, or Stripe. Local companies are worth checking, too, as in-person internships can still convert to full-time offers.
- Job boards: Platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed regularly have job and internship postings. If you’re looking for internships specifically, check out Levels.fyi. And if you’re still a student, see what’s on Handshake.
- GitHub repo: Summer 2026 Tech Internships is a community-maintained list updated in real time. Staying active within the community could get you quicker access to opportunities.
- Career fairs: Colleges sometimes have on-campus or virtual events where you can meet with company reps and make an impression before applying.
- Referrals: Connect with software engineers on LinkedIn and form genuine, professional relationships with them. These connections could lead to referrals, which are among the most effective ways to get opportunities.
5. Network Strategically to Get Ahead of the Application Pile
A referral from a current employee can move your resume from the bottom of the pile to a recruiter’s actual inbox. According to a survey from Express Employment Professionals, 39% of job seekers landed referrals as a result of networking. For internship candidates without much resume history, that’s a big deal.
Here are some tips for how to land a software engineering internship with an assist from networking:
- Be authentic. Networking can feel unnatural or stressful. Being genuine with what you put out there and the connections you form can turn it into a more meaningful experience.
- Form connections with care. On LinkedIn, follow engineers at the companies you’d like to work for. When sending a connection request, include a specific (and short) message. This helps break the ice.
- Engage with others. A connection can get you on someone’s radar. But to stay there, you need to stay active online. Comment on posts. Share insight or relevant experiences.
- Ask for a 15-minute informational chat. Even a brief phone or video call can take you from being just a name on a screen to a real person. Come prepared with questions to ask and your story to share.
LinkedIn isn’t your only networking option. Campus clubs, hackathons, local meetups, and coding communities (like GitHub or Discord) are other great options to explore.
6. Prepare for and Ace the Internship Interview Process
Landing an interview is exciting. But the experience itself is often stressful, especially if it’s your first or second time.
Software engineering internships typically have 2 or 3 stages. The first is a recruiter screen, which may be conducted over the phone or online.
Once you pass that, you’ll generally move on to a technical coding interview. Sometimes, there’s a separate final interview. You may also be asked to do a behavioral interview or a take-home project.
Here’s what to expect and how to prepare for the software engineering internship interview process at each stage.
| Interview stage | Format | Duration | How to prepare |
| Recruiter screen | Online or via phone | 15–30 minutes | Rehearse in front of the mirror. Brush up on your technical skills. Prepare to answer questions about your experience/background. |
| Technical coding | Video chat or in person | 45–60 minutes |
Brush up on your technical skills. Prepare to solve coding questions. Practice in advance at home. |
| Behavioral | Video chat or in person | 30–45 minutes |
Practice using the STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Results. |
| Take-home project | Mostly at home | Varies (usually a few hours) |
Prepare a quiet place to complete the project to the best of your abilities. Practice explaining your process and any challenges you face along the way. |
What to Expect at Each Interview Stage
The typical interview process for software engineering internships looks like this:
- Recruiter screen (15–40 minutes): You’ll be asked about your background and interest in the role. You may also be asked basic behavioral or technical questions. These tend to be more informal, but they do determine whether you move on to the next round.
- Technical screen (45–60 minutes): A hiring manager might give you 1 or 2 LeetCode-style problems to solve. For example, this could be an algorithm problem using your own code. Practice coding problems on sites like Codewars or HackerRank.
- Behavioral round (30–45 minutes): Be prepared to answer questions about your experiences. This might be about how you handled setbacks or collaborated on specific projects. Questions might also be based on hypothetical scenarios. Organize your answers using the STAR method.
- Take-home or project review (varies): Some companies will request a take-home assignment, 1 that shows off your skills in a practical way, such as by building a mobile app. Take the time to walk through every step and explain your design decisions.
Related reading: Want to be extra prepared? These are some of the top interview questions for engineers—and some questions you can ask.
Start Your Software Engineering Career at Intuit
Intuit’s engineering teams build products used by roughly 100 million customers across TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp. Interns work on real production code and partner with senior engineers.
If you’ve worked through the steps above, you’ve already done the harder part. Learn about entry-level careers at Intuit and browse open software engineering roles and internships to see where your work could land.
FAQs
Do I need experience to get a software engineering internship?
Not necessarily. You could get a software engineering internship with no experience if you have the fundamental skills. That means becoming proficient in coding languages like Python and Java and building your skills in data structures, algorithms, version control, and other computer science fundamentals.
How challenging is it to secure a software engineering internship?
Getting an internship takes time and perseverance. It’s not uncommon to apply to dozens or even a hundred companies before landing the internship. That’s why starting early is so beneficial. The sooner you start, the better your chances of getting the role.
Where are the best places to look for a software engineering internship?
One of the best ways to get an internship is through your connections. An estimated 39% of job seekers get referrals through their networks. Besides that, check out the career pages of top companies like Intuit or Microsoft. You can also find openings on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn. It helps to filter results based on your location and experience level.