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Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

internproject.io

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Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#81

Most the rents quoted are several hundred lower than reality, though the bedroom in a shared place price is pretty close. It also fails to underline the competition for cheap, or any , housing. Landing a spot within the first weeks, or even month, will be very hard for anyone new to the town. If you want an apartment in this city you must bid several hundred over the listed price. It is also extremely common to offer…

I think it's pretty easy to get an apartment. Show up at the open house, don't dress like a slob (even if you always dress like a slob, just don't), and carry enough cash to pay off the deposit and the first month. Since it's an internship, just bring enough cash to pay for the entire lease. If you don't have cash you'll need bank statements (local banks, so open your accounts several months in advance), paychecks (pain in the ass, right? you might have to couch-surf for the first few weeks), letters of employment, and a reference. But even with all that you'll have trouble convincing anyone to rent to you. Cash is better.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#82
As a fellow Canadian Student it would be great if you could write a section on how to obtain a Visa to work for the summer in the Bay Area. Last summer I was offered an internship at a Y Combinator startup in the Palo Alto but had to turn it down due to Visa reasons.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you including corp housing/stipend in that amount?

I believe (but am not 100%) that the companies listed pay at least $7k not including housing stipend. I could be wrong, so feel free to correct me.

$7k not-including-housing is only normal if you're a returning intern. Otherwise, it's for the top tier. Last summer, Google was $6667/month for undergrad SWE interns not including housing stipend. The stipend should be a one-time $3500 (last summer, many interns could choose corporate housing instead of the $3500 stipend).

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#84

This is a great resource, I wish I had this when I was interning. A couple tips from someone who's done this a bit (3 times, 2 years full/part time intern at Apple, 1 summer at FB): - Yeah, you get paid a large sum of money, but it really doesn't matter. The $7k/month salary may sound like a ton as a college student, but it isn't. It will pale in terms of your life earnings. Focus on trying out new areas / technologi…

>Don't even consider interning part time during the school year

Agreed for undergrads, but part-time internships are great if you're doing a masters. I spent an academic year doing research (most people did their masters thesis research in 1-4 months of full-time work) while I worked part-time at the same place I did my summer internship. Industry pay let me make a phd's salary (i.e. just enough to eke by) with just 12 hours a week of work. It was the best year of my life. I had plenty of free time to enjoy and improve myself (I got in great shape, met interesting people, read a lot) when it was socially acceptable to live like that.

BTW I completely agree on NYC. Moving here from the west coast has its costs, but has been one of the most personally enriching decisions I've ever made.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#85

As a fellow Canadian Student it would be great if you could write a section on how to obtain a Visa to work for the summer in the Bay Area. Last summer I was offered an internship at a Y Combinator startup in the Palo Alto but had to turn it down due to Visa reasons.

Startups typically aren't thrilled to deal with visas. Most mid-size or larger companies will sponsor students for J-1s (or whatever the equivalent for Canadians is).

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#86
How many companies offer internships longer than a summer? I have a co-op position for this summer but after my 3rd year I'm hoping to get something longer, a 12 or 16 month position.

Also -- are many American companies friendly towards Canadians who happen to have dual citizenship? To be honest ideally I'd work in Waterloo or Toronto (both are driving distance, ish, from my home) but I'd love to spend time in NYC or the Bay Area too.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#87

This is a great resource, I wish I had this when I was interning. A couple tips from someone who's done this a bit (3 times, 2 years full/part time intern at Apple, 1 summer at FB): - Yeah, you get paid a large sum of money, but it really doesn't matter. The $7k/month salary may sound like a ton as a college student, but it isn't. It will pale in terms of your life earnings. Focus on trying out new areas / technologi…

Where the hell do interns get paid $7,000/month salaries?

Are there companies who hire experienced engineers as interns? Because $7000/month is hell of a lot more than I will ever see in my lifetime.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#89
Any tips for a new hire in the Bay area? (I just accepted a full-time job in SOMA starting in late May).

Specifically - any tips on securing an apartment ahead of time, possibly remotely? I have a week in the corporate apartment, but if I could line something up beforehand that would be preferred.

Re: Interns: Everything you need to know about a summer in the Bay Area in one place

#90

Any tips for a new hire in the Bay area? (I just accepted a full-time job in SOMA starting in late May). Specifically - any tips on securing an apartment ahead of time, possibly remotely? I have a week in the corporate apartment, but if I could line something up beforehand that would be preferred.

Be ready to write a check for deposit + 2 months rent on the spot if you find a place you like. Have copies of your credit report with you and a "rental resume" with phone numbers of HR at your new job and your old landlord.
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