Ask HN: Can I get an internship while taking time off from school?

#1

Post by brewerhimself » Tue, Jul 31, 2012, 2:09 PM UTC

I spent 2 years studying computer science but I couldn't afford to attend my school anymore, so now I'm taking a year off. Honestly, I don't know whether I want to go back.

Can I find an internship in my situation or should I be looking for a full-time position?

Re: Ask HN: Can I get an internship while taking time off from school?

#2

Post by Delphiki » Tue, Jul 31, 2012, 6:14 PM UTC

You can definitely find an internship! I honestly don't know too much about the computer science industry (I'm in the arts and entertainment industry), but it never hurts to apply. I know within my industry, a lot of companies are looking for students with at least two years of college under their belt, and I assume the computer science internships are probably fairly similar. Go out and apply to as many internships as you can find. Lots of places might be quite enthused to get an intern for a whole year, rather than just a summer internship that a lot of college students get.

Where are you located? I assume you'll want a paid internship, so you can save up money to continue your education (if you decide to return to your school)?

Re: Ask HN: Can I get an internship while taking time off from school?

#3

Post by brewerhimself » Tue, Jul 31, 2012, 7:14 PM UTC

Delphiki wrote: post #2

You can definitely find an internship! I honestly don't know too much about the computer science industry (I'm in the arts and entertainment industry), but it never hurts to apply. I know within my industry, a lot of companies are looking for students with at least two years of college under their belt, and I assume the computer science internships are probably fairly similar. Go out and apply to as many internships…

I'm in Jacksonville, FL right now, but I'm very interested in moving to San Francisco.

The internship will absolutely haved to be payed, and payed fairly at that. My skills aren't the greatest, but I'm not willing to work for $10/hr.

Re: Ask HN: Can I get an internship while taking time off from school?

#4

Post by coryl » Wed, Aug 01, 2012, 6:13 AM UTC

One thing that MIGHT be against you depending on your state's internship environment, is that companies that recruit through a college internship program may receive government subsidies on internship wages.

Otherwise sure, why not, just hustle yourself and I'm sure you'll find something. Find the emails of CEOs/founders of interesting places you'd like to work and mail them.

Re: Ask HN: Can I get an internship while taking time off from school?

#5

Post by andthejets » Wed, Aug 01, 2012, 9:20 PM UTC

brewerhimself wrote: post #3

Delphiki wrote: post #2

You can definitely find an internship! I honestly don't know too much about the computer science industry (I'm in the arts and entertainment industry), but it never hurts to apply. I know within my industry, a lot of companies are looking for students with at least two years of college under their belt, and I assume the computer science internships are probably fairly similar. Go out and apply to as many internships…

I'm in Jacksonville, FL right now, but I'm very interested in moving to San Francisco. The internship will absolutely haved to be payed, and payed fairly at that. My skills aren't the greatest, but I'm not willing to work for $10/hr.

If you have some solid technical skills that you can put on a resume and "prove" in any way(experience, project you've coded, open source patches, etc) you can easily get a well paying internship. 20+ /hour easy.