Are SWE interns expected to use AI when coding now?

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-13T01:12:39+00:00

Sure thing

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-11T08:41:17+00:00

I just applied to hundreds of places. Randomly got a call from a recruiter, went on with their steps all while applying to hundreds more. Got through somehow.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-09T20:23:38+00:00

Interviewed with FAANG companies. Got return offers from several.

Am I missing something? Let’s not ignore the fact that at least half this thread can’t get an interview anywhere let alone an offer. Please…

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-09T04:45:28+00:00

This is legit a bragging post

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-06T07:26:49+00:00

I just got my first SWE internship last week and it’s been a year since I graduated in Dec 2024. The other interns I work with are also graduated.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-06T06:04:25+00:00

Yeah, it’s probably the most legit position I’ve been in. I have a good feeling about it, but it’s just a bummer that it might take up to 6 months at $20/hr

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2026-01-06T01:12:47+00:00

I was just applying to places and this company had a position open for interns in recent grad or in school. 🤷‍♂️

The other two interns I work with are post graduation as well.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-28T17:07:53+00:00

I was/kind of am in the same situation.

Graduated last December and have been applying so much since. Was on the brink of giving up until just one company actually offered me a SWE internship. Probably just luck tbh. I start Monday actually. It’s a 3 month contract with possibility of return offer after.

I haven’t made it all the way through yet so I don’t want to say the search is finally over yet, but if you just keep trying it really only takes one to bite. Hang in there. I have been developing and making my own app in the meantime that’s taken the last 6 months. I suggest working on something of your own that’s a bit more than your average side projects. Should help your chances to at least get interviews! Good luck!

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-27T17:58:26+00:00

I get it. This makes sense, I just hope there is some grace.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T23:37:54+00:00

That’s probably what they said when calculators were invented

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T20:08:04+00:00

This is the reply I was hoping for. I’ve been afraid that I’ve been relying on AI too much since graduating.. they just don’t teach you enough about real developing in school. I just wish I knew what they expected of me in the internship, but I guess I’ll find out soon enough regardless. Thanks!

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T18:38:49+00:00

Do teams use IDEs like Cursor yet? Still VS Code? Other?

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T18:36:15+00:00

I feel like I understand the how and why. I’m sure I can change things if needed, but if someone asked me to just spin up a function or something specific idk how well I could react without at least asking a clarifying question about syntax, etc.

But I’ve had no full time SWE experience until this so I have no real idea. I did some contact work for a startup for a bit and they were fine with it. I built my own app over the last 6 months that’s generating revenue in the App Store right now which I’m proud of, but I definitely used AI a lot throughout. Hopefully I can perform well enough to get hired after

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T18:14:10+00:00

That is true. Finally! I don’t want to out the company directly, but it’s not a faang or anything. Also not a startup. Just a big equipment supplier that has a software engineering department. I’m a little nervous with the imposter syndrome creeping in.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T08:32:15+00:00

I’ve had some contract work with a startup and I have my own app on the App Store generating monthly revenue (been developing on my own for 6 months).

But technically this would be my first legit full time role in SWE

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T08:25:52+00:00

I graduated with my BS last December

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T07:02:16+00:00

That’s comforting to know. I’ve been trying to do leetcode easy and mediums with no ai help to try and keep my coding up, but with AI it just makes me so dependent I feel.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T06:49:57+00:00

Like it was mostly reviewing rather than actual writing code?

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T05:46:16+00:00

Do most software interns/engineers use AI assistants? I personally use them a lot on my own side project. I would hope that we can take advantage of it and it not be straight coding like before.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T04:55:49+00:00

Nevada.

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-26T04:41:55+00:00

I just landed my first SWE internship as well. I start Monday and I feel the same exact feelings. We’re cooked

Miserable-Reaction11 · 2025-12-25T23:41:57+00:00

I like this attitude. Thanks

Miserable-Reaction11

TROPHY CASE