Complete guide to applying for internships as a METU Computer Engineering student.

Timeline

Junior Year Fall (September - December)

• September: Start researching companies and positions
• October: Begin preparing application materials
• November: Start submitting applications
• December: Continue applications, prepare for interviews

Junior Year Spring (January - April)

• January-February: Interview season begins
• March: Most interviews and decisions
• April: Final decisions and internship confirmations

Application Materials

Resume

• Length: 1-2 pages maximum
• Format: Clean, professional layout
• Content:
  • Contact information
  • Education (GPA if 3.0+)
  • Technical skills
  • Projects (academic and personal)
  • Work experience
  • Leadership/activities

Cover Letter

• Personalization: Tailor to each company
• Structure: Introduction, body, conclusion
• Content: Why you’re interested, relevant skills, what you can contribute

Portfolio (for relevant positions)

• GitHub: Clean, well-documented repositories
• Projects: 2-3 strong projects with detailed README files
• Code Quality: Follow best practices, include comments

Application Strategy

Research Phase

1. Company Research: Understand company culture, values, recent news
2. Role Analysis: Match your skills to job requirements
3. Network: Connect with current employees or alumni

Application Submission

1. Quality over Quantity: Better to submit fewer, well-tailored applications
2. Track Applications: Use a spreadsheet to monitor deadlines and responses
3. Follow Up: Send thank-you emails after interviews

Technical Interview Preparation

Coding Practice

• Platforms: LeetCode, HackerRank, CodeSignal
• Focus Areas: Data structures, algorithms, system design basics
• Practice: Solve problems daily, time yourself

System Design

• Basics: Understand scalability, databases, APIs
• Resources: System design primers, YouTube tutorials
• Practice: Design simple systems (URL shortener, chat app)

Behavioral Questions

• STAR Method: Situation, Task, Action, Result
• Common Questions:
  • “Tell me about yourself”
  • “Why do you want to work here?”
  • “Describe a challenging project”
  • “How do you handle conflict?”

Company Types

Big Tech (Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.)

• Pros: High compensation, brand recognition, resources
• Cons: Competitive, potentially less individual impact
• Interview: Multiple rounds, focus on algorithms

Startups

• Pros: High impact, learning opportunities, equity potential
• Cons: Less stability, potentially lower initial compensation
• Interview: Often more practical, focus on building

Mid-size Companies

• Pros: Balance of stability and impact
• Cons: May have fewer resources than big tech
• Interview: Varies widely

Application Tips

Do’s

• Start early (applications open in August/September)
• Customize each application
• Practice coding problems regularly
• Network with professionals in your field
• Prepare thoughtful questions for interviews

Don’ts

• Don’t apply to hundreds of positions without customization
• Don’t neglect behavioral interview preparation
• Don’t forget to follow up after interviews
• Don’t get discouraged by rejections

Resources

Job Boards

• Company career pages
• LinkedIn
• AngelList (for startups)
• University career center

Interview Preparation

• Cracking the Coding Interview book
• System Design Interview book
• Mock interview platforms
• University career services

Networking

• LinkedIn
• University alumni network
• Tech meetups and conferences
• Professional organizations

After Getting an Offer

Evaluation Criteria

• Compensation: Salary, benefits, equity
• Learning: Mentorship, training programs, project variety
• Culture: Team dynamics, work-life balance
• Growth: Career advancement opportunities

Negotiation

• Research market rates
• Consider total compensation package
• Be professional and grateful
• Get everything in writing

Last updated: January 20, 2024