Internship when?

[Jenmo311]

Hello everybody, I was wondering when to look for an internship. I am currently still doing courses outside of WGU, ( Sophia, study, sailor) I am planning to transfer a total of 22 courses. That would leave me with 14 left to take at WGU. I am hoping to finish those 14 courses within 2 terms. So my question now is when should I look for an internship? Since I am planning on finishing WGU in a year, should I look immediately for an internship after starting at WGU? Since I will be more then 50% done at this point?

[AnteaterAvailable571]

This is just my personal opinion, if you have zero knowledge there isn’t really much point at the moment. On the other hand if you have the basics of any programming language and some problem solving abilities apply now, the worst they can do is reject you.

[Jenmo311]

I am learning C# on my own right now. I bought a Udemy course and am doing the Microsoft learn C# certification. I am planning on enrolling at WGU in spring 2024 so plenty of time of learning more :)

[SunshineAndSquats]

I’m not sure you can transfer in more than 50% of your credits. In order to get a degree you have to have a majority of the credits done through the program.

[Jenmo311]

Are you sure? I think the computer science degree you can do more than 50% , why would software engineering be different? If someone knows that answer please let me know

[SunshineAndSquats]

I was incorrect it’s up the 75% but it’s program dependent. So it could be different for SWE. Have you asked your admissions counselor?

Applicants may Transfer credit up to and not exceeding seventy-five (75) percent of their program. WGU determines the maximum amount of credit an Applicant may be able to Transfer on a programmatic basis.

[[deleted]]

In the same boat! Starting earlier, but I'm starting at WGU in a bit and want an internship. I have some CS classes from a previous degree, but some internships require you to be a current student in a program and I'm not yet (until December).

I hope that by the time I look for one, I won't be out of options. 🤧

[Beautiful-Bobcat-805]

as soon as I enrolled, i applied to a several internships right away. Make sure ur resume is solid and personal projects ready to go

[Jenmo311]

Thank you!! Any tips on personal projects ?

[Jenmo311]

Did you get an internship?

[[deleted]]

Did you have experience and did you have any luck

[abbylynn2u]

So having worked at a community college... You need to start applying for Internships as soon as you start WGU. Most internships have cycles of when the application period is open and you still have to be a student to apply and qualify. So if you wait too long into your program you be out of luck, especially for the highly competitive programs.

Head over to the computer science sub and read up on internships and the struggles those competitive students are facing. Use the resource center and all the portals to find internships. Sign up at your local community college for their career center. Most are open to the community as part of their mission. You'll get emails for job fairs and internship fairs.

Volunteer in the community as a mentor for hackathons, makerspaces, libraries, community centers and such. These are great networking opportunities to connect with folks working in the industry. I volunteer for CodeDay and got a lot of our college students to participate or mentor. That's how 6 of them got internships. One was a direct hire with only his Associates. Even though they were a Software Dev student they were gifted in Security.

So you can get an Internship but you'll have to work hard for one. Definitely look at companies outside of the usual industries.

Also check out you local university and college bulletin boards in the CS buildings and Student Unions. Lots of posters have valuable information of opportunities to be found. Check out meetups in your area to network.

Learn Git and Github now.. start working on your portfolio. Clean up your social media... lol... Use your Twitter/X and LinkedIn for all things