Hello everyone, I'm preparing for a potential career transition as I join the MS CS program at Georgia Tech this fall, while also working full-time. Given the uncertain job security at my current company, I am proactively looking to strengthen my position in the job market in the United States. Here is a brief overview of my background: Current Role: 2 years in a distributed systems role utilizing TypeScript and Rust. Education: Joining Georgia Tech for an MS in Computer Science; previous non-CS engineering degree in a tier 1 university in India. Internships: Completed two internships with local town US companies ( didn't learn much there). Publications: Co-authored an Android Dev (Kotlin) + AI/ML-based paper published in an ACM journal and presented at a conference. Research: Collaborated with professors on projects related to security, networking, and HCI. Side Projects: Pet Marketplace and Grocery eCommerce Android App - Java Multi-threaded mathematical solver and Sudoku helper in C/C++ DDQN-based AI game for an RL course project - Python Programming Proficiency: TypeScript (Node.js), Rust (p2p Networking), C/C++ (Operating Systems & DSA), Java (Android Development) I had earlier applied to lots of companies in 2022 & 2023 when I was looking for jobs in the States. I had applied to around 300 companies each for internships and jobs. Only 10 reached out, I could only convert one then which is my current job. I had a really poor profile then with a non-CS degree outside of the United States. I had cold applied then. I do not want to end up in that same situation again. I have tried my best to improve my profile since then. I'm seeking advice on how best to approach internship applications now with an improved profile. Specifically, I am wondering: Is it more effective to reach out directly to hiring managers rather than recruiters, especially for internships? What strategies can I employ to increase my visibility and chances of getting hired, beyond cold-applying and asking for referrals on LinkedIn? What can I do beyond brushing up my DSA skills and Dev skills in the tech stack I am proficient in? [ My degree will also help me catch up on my basic CS foundation. ] Any insights or advice beyond the scope of the questions would be greatly appreciated too!

I would add that in terms of networking events, it's not just events that directly help you get a job that's useful, but even showing up to clubs/fairs is networking. I'm sure there are tons of guest speakers coming to GTech fairs and clubs. Even after you graduate if you know a ton of people then when you need a referral you'll be able to reach out to people you know from clubs My biggest college regret is trying too hard to get good grades instead of job searching and networking Sometimes showing up is all you need to do. I know people who got internships because they went to a club and some person who's working in an early stage startup was giving a talk. You never know who can help you get a job. Good luck!

How to get internships as a Master's student with close to 2 years of experience?

Software Engineer at Taro Community7 months ago

Data Structures And Algorithms

Interviewing

Software Engineering Intern

Hello everyone,

I'm preparing for a potential career transition as I join the MS CS program at Georgia Tech this fall, while also working full-time. Given the uncertain job security at my current company, I am proactively looking to strengthen my position in the job market in the United States. Here is a brief overview of my background:

Current Role: 2 years in a distributed systems role utilizing TypeScript and Rust.
Education: Joining Georgia Tech for an MS in Computer Science; previous non-CS engineering degree in a tier 1 university in India.
Internships: Completed two internships with local town US companies ( didn't learn much there).
Publications: Co-authored an Android Dev (Kotlin) + AI/ML-based paper published in an ACM journal and presented at a conference.
Research: Collaborated with professors on projects related to security, networking, and HCI.
Side Projects:
- Pet Marketplace and Grocery eCommerce Android App - Java
- Multi-threaded mathematical solver and Sudoku helper in C/C++
- DDQN-based AI game for an RL course project - Python
Programming Proficiency: TypeScript (Node.js), Rust (p2p Networking), C/C++ (Operating Systems & DSA), Java (Android Development)

I had earlier applied to lots of companies in 2022 & 2023 when I was looking for jobs in the States. I had applied to around 300 companies each for internships and jobs. Only 10 reached out, I could only convert one then which is my current job. I had a really poor profile then with a non-CS degree outside of the United States. I had cold applied then. I do not want to end up in that same situation again. I have tried my best to improve my profile since then.

I'm seeking advice on how best to approach internship applications now with an improved profile. Specifically, I am wondering:

Is it more effective to reach out directly to hiring managers rather than recruiters, especially for internships?
What strategies can I employ to increase my visibility and chances of getting hired, beyond cold-applying and asking for referrals on LinkedIn?
What can I do beyond brushing up my DSA skills and Dev skills in the tech stack I am proficient in? [ My degree will also help me catch up on my basic CS foundation. ]

Any insights or advice beyond the scope of the questions would be greatly appreciated too!

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Discussion

(4 comments)

2
Rahul Pandey
•Tech Lead/Manager at Meta, Pinterest, Kosei
7 months ago
The #1 advice here is to leverage your unfair advantages. Use your colleagues from your 2 years of experience for referrals, and also the infrastructure that the MS program at Georgia Tech (I'm curious, what do they have?).

What strategies can I employ to increase my visibility and chances of getting hired, beyond cold-applying and asking for referrals on LinkedIn?

How long is the MS program? I assume at least 2 years if you're doing it part-time, which means you have the luxury of time. Build something impressive, like a mobile app or Github repo, and use that for inbound opportunities.

Please also go through Ace Your Tech Interview And Get A Job As A Software Engineer!
1
Sai Shreyas Bhavanasi
•Founding ML Engineer @ Lancey (YC S22)
7 months ago
For CS/SWE internships, getting really good at Online Assessments (OA) is key. From the looks of it, you already have a strong profile. Since you already have enough projects/experience getting good at leetcode is a good next step.

Most internships send out an OA, and if you do well there's a good chance you'll get an interview. I would focus on grinding leetcode and cracking those OAs

I would also focus on networking. Attend career fairs, clubs, coffee-chats, any and every networking event you can find. You can try cold DMing alumni and getting coffee chats and then asking for a referral
1
Software Engineer [OP]
•Taro Community
7 months ago
Well to leverage my colleagues, they'd have to leave the company. I don't think they're going to get laid off before me. That puts me in a tough spot.

I've asked around and the career fair at Georgia Tech is the only thing that used to be helpful. I'll try my luck with that.

About building something impressive, that's something I can work on. Georgia Tech has really nice courses like System Design for Cloud Computing and Distributed Computing. These courses have real world based projects and have a lot of relevance with practical experience.
- 3
  Sai Shreyas Bhavanasi
  •Founding ML Engineer @ Lancey (YC S22)
  7 months ago
  I would add that in terms of networking events, it's not just events that directly help you get a job that's useful, but even showing up to clubs/fairs is networking. I'm sure there are tons of guest speakers coming to GTech fairs and clubs. Even after you graduate if you know a ton of people then when you need a referral you'll be able to reach out to people you know from clubs
  
  My biggest college regret is trying too hard to get good grades instead of job searching and networking
  
  Sometimes showing up is all you need to do. I know people who got internships because they went to a club and some person who's working in an early stage startup was giving a talk. You never know who can help you get a job. Good luck!