What Types of Internships Are Not Worth Doing for Computer Science Students?

Many computer science students fall into the trap of low-value internships, wondering if the time and effort they invest are truly worthwhile. It's crucial to discern which internships offer genuine learning opportunities and which merely waste potential. Let's delve deeper into the types of internships that are not worth your time and explore what you should be looking for instead.

Low-Value Internships to Avoid

The sheer number of internships that provide little to no value to aspiring computer science professionals is remarkable. Research internships that primarily involve manual data annotation are a prime example. Such roles often involve repetitive data entry, offering no new knowledge or skill development. Similarly, internships that serve as glorified customer support roles fall flat, as they do not contribute to honing coding skills or furthering your technical expertise.

Internships that restrict you from contributing to open-source projects or proprietary technology also lack merit. Without the opportunity to improve or adapt technology, these roles become mere tick-box exercises on your resume, offering no lasting value. Furthermore, internships with no clear goals, objectives, or deadlines can leave you unfulfilled and unsure of your progress. Lastly, internships disguised as free labor excite us not; the lack of pay and learning severely diminishes the overall value of such roles.

Unworthiness of Unskilled Labor

Even internships that may seem valuable on the surface, like those offering scant skills development, are not without their pitfalls. For instance, internships that consist of menial, unskilled labor, such as working as an unpaid gofer, might seem like a learning experience but often just reveal the ugly side of office politics.

Instead of these unfulfilling roles, you should aim for more meaningful experiences, such as school-year lab gigs, real summer jobs, and cooperative education programs. These roles align closely with the traditional model of hands-on learning, providing more substantial and impactful opportunities for growth. Union apprenticeships and internships that are more akin to medical residencies are also preferred, as they offer hands-on experience and mentorship.

Selecting the Right Internship

When selecting an internship, it's essential to ensure that the job description aligns with your career goals. For instance, if you aspire to become a software engineer, choose a software engineering internship over an IT helpdesk role. Similarly, if you're eyeing a research career, opt for an internship in a research lab rather than at a company focused on product development.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a software engineering internship:

Avoid isolated roles: If you are the sole engineer at the company, you won't have the opportunity to learn from more experienced peers. Prefer companies with established practices: Companies where engineers use version control, write unit tests, and review each other's code tend to offer better learning experiences. Seek companies with multiple interns: More interns mean more experienced colleagues, clearer paths for future opportunities, and higher-quality projects. Look for formal mentoring: A company with a well-established internship program is more likely to provide formal mentorship and a clear path to full-time employment.

Conclusion

The type of internship you choose can significantly impact your career trajectory. Avoid roles that offer minimal learning or skills development and instead seek out those that provide hands-on, impactful experiences. By aligning your internship with your career goals and choosing companies with established practices, you can ensure that your time and effort are truly worthwhile.