Significant Career Lesson From A Software Engineer At Target
Many entry-level software engineering opportunities exist for undergraduates, including internships at "big tech companies like Facebook or Google" and smaller firms such as Target, with many programs exclusively for college students. Supplementing academic work with online certifications in areas like "JavaScript, um, AWS Amazon Web Services," and personal side projects significantly strengthens applications for entry-level roles and future career advancement.
Entry-Level Jobs, Internships, Software Engineering, Career Development, Side Projects
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Christian Vasquez Leon
Software Engineer
Target
University of California, Berkeley, 2020
N/A
Mathematics, Data Science, Statistics
Apparel, Beauty, Retail & Fashion, Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Scholarship Recipient, Immigrant, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level software engineering internships are abundant, not only in large tech companies but also in smaller companies across various sectors like retail (Target) and banking.
2. Pursuing online certificate programs in areas like front-end development, back-end development (JavaScript), and AWS can significantly boost your chances of landing an internship.
3. Developing personal side projects, such as creating websites or video games, demonstrates initiative and practical skills, enhancing your job application.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student could consider?
During college, there are plenty of entry-level software engineering internships. These aren't just at big tech companies like Facebook, Google, and Microsoft. There are also many small companies, retail companies like Target, and banking companies like Capital One.
Every company has an engineering or tech team, and a lot of these internships are exclusive to college students. You have to be currently enrolled in school to apply for these programs. So, take advantage while you're in college to apply to as many of these programs as you can.
Some of those programs can be competitive, of course. Other opportunities I'd recommend include looking up online certificate programs. Getting certified in front-end development, back-end development using JavaScript, or AWS (Amazon Web Services) will help you land those entry-level internships.
Don't be afraid to work on side projects while in college. Create a new website by following online tutorials, or develop your own video game. All of these, along with your certificates, will look really good.
This will help you land those entry-level software engineering roles, which will then open up more doors for you after college to continue your career.