Source: For summer 2025 internships, applications typically open in August 2024 and close between October-December 2024. Major tech companies (FAANG) open first, followed by startups and mid-size companies. Apply early—many programs fill spots on a rolling basis. Average tech intern salary: $6,000-$10,000/month.
- 1.Tech internship applications open August-September for following summer, with FAANG companies opening earliest and most competitive slots
- 2.Average tech internship pays $7,500/month according to Glassdoor, with FAANG paying $8,000-$10,000+ and startups $4,000-$7,000
- 3.70% of tech interns receive full-time offers from their host companies, making internships the most common path to entry-level roles
- 4.Success rate for tech internship applications is 15-20% on average, making it essential to apply broadly (50-100+ applications)
- 5.Technical interviews for internships focus on data structures, algorithms, and 1-2 coding problems—less complex than full-time interviews
Why Tech Internships Are Your Best Path to Full-Time Offers
Tech internships have become the primary recruiting pipeline for entry-level software engineering positions. According to the NACE 2024 Internship Survey, 70% of tech interns receive full-time offers from their host companies, compared to just 40% across all industries. For computer science students, securing a quality internship is often more valuable than grades or coursework for landing your first job.
The competition is intense but manageable with the right strategy. While FAANG companies receive 100,000+ internship applications for a few thousand spots, the broader tech ecosystem offers thousands of internship opportunities across startups, mid-size companies, and established enterprises. This guide covers the complete process from application strategy to interview success.
For students considering their education path, explore our guides on best computer science programs, software engineering degrees, or bootcamp alternatives to complement your internship search.
Tech Internship Application Timeline 2025
Tech internship recruiting follows a predictable timeline that starts 8-10 months before the actual internship. Here's the complete timeline for summer 2025 internships:
| Timeline | Action Items | Companies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 2024 | Applications open | FAANG, Microsoft, Big Tech | First wave opens. Apply immediately. |
| September 2024 | Peak application period | Most companies open | Submit 20-30 applications this month |
| October 2024 | Interview invites sent | First round interviews | Practice coding problems daily |
| November 2024 | Final interviews | Offers start coming | Decision deadlines approach |
| December 2024 | Late applications | Startups, smaller companies | Last chance for procrastinators |
| January-March 2025 | Prep period | Plan housing, coursework | Focus on school, prep for internship |
| May-August 2025 | Internship period | Full-time recruiting | Perform well for return offers |
Types of Tech Internships: Choose Your Path
Tech internships span multiple disciplines and company types. Understanding the differences helps you target the right opportunities for your career goals and current skill level.
Build features, fix bugs, and work on production codebases. Most common tech internship type.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Software Engineer
- • Full-Stack Developer
- • Backend Developer
- • Frontend Developer
Analyze data, build models, and create insights for business decisions. Growing rapidly.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Data Scientist
- • Data Analyst
- • ML Engineer
- • Business Intelligence Analyst
Work with product teams on roadmaps, user research, and feature planning. Highly competitive.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Product Manager
- • Technical Product Manager
- • Strategy Consultant
Support security teams with threat analysis, penetration testing, and security audits.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Security Analyst
- • Penetration Tester
- • Security Consultant
- • SOC Analyst
Top 20 Companies for Tech Internships 2025
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $9,500 | 8500% | Very Hard | |
| 2 | Meta (Facebook) | $9,200 | 8000% | Very Hard |
| 3 | Apple | $8,800 | 7500% | Very Hard |
| 4 | Microsoft | $8,500 | 8200% | Hard |
| 5 | Amazon | $8,200 | 7000% | Hard |
| 6 | Netflix | $10,500 | 9000% | Very Hard |
| 7 | Stripe | $9,000 | 8500% | Hard |
| 8 | Uber | $8,300 | 6500% | Hard |
| 9 | Airbnb | $8,700 | 7500% | Hard |
| 10 | Salesforce | $7,800 | 7800% | Medium |
| 11 | $8,100 | 8000% | Hard | |
| 12 | Twitter/X | $7,900 | 6000% | Medium |
| 13 | Snapchat | $7,600 | 7000% | Medium |
| 14 | Adobe | $7,400 | 7200% | Medium |
| 15 | Intel | $6,800 | 7500% | Medium |
| 16 | IBM | $6,200 | 6800% | Easy-Medium |
| 17 | Cisco | $6,500 | 7000% | Medium |
| 18 | Oracle | $6,900 | 6500% | Medium |
| 19 | VMware | $6,700 | 7200% | Medium |
| 20 | Palantir | $8,400 | 7500% | Hard |
Tech Internship Application Strategy: Cast a Wide Net
Success in tech internship hunting requires a volume-based approach combined with strategic targeting. With acceptance rates of 15-20% even for qualified candidates, you need to apply broadly while tailoring your approach for different company types.
- Apply to 50-100+ positions: Don't put all hopes on FAANG. Apply to startups, mid-size companies, and established tech companies
- Tier your applications: Spend more time on dream companies but don't neglect backup options
- Use multiple platforms: Company websites, LinkedIn, Handshake, AngelList, and university career portals
- Apply early: Many companies hire on rolling admissions. August/September applications have higher success rates
- Track everything: Use a spreadsheet to track applications, deadlines, and follow-ups
- Leverage referrals: Employee referrals increase your chance of getting interviews by 3-5x
For students still building their foundation, consider our guides on CS fundamentals you actually need and building a portfolio that gets hired.
Tech Internship Resume: Stand Out in the ATS
Your resume needs to pass both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and human reviewers. Tech internship resumes should emphasize projects, relevant coursework, and technical skills over work experience.
| Resume Section | What to Include | What to Avoid | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Skills | Languages: Python, Java, C++ | Skill ratings (4/5 stars) | Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, Git |
| Projects (Most Important) | 2-4 projects with tech stack | Vague descriptions | Built e-commerce site using React, Node.js, MongoDB |
| Education | GPA if >3.5, relevant coursework | High school info | BS Computer Science, GPA: 3.7/4.0 |
| Experience | Any coding experience, leadership | Irrelevant jobs (unless leadership) | Teaching Assistant - Data Structures (Fall 2024) |
| Length | 1 page maximum | 2+ pages | Concise, relevant content only |
Technical Interview Prep for Tech Internships
Tech internship interviews typically include 1-2 coding rounds, a behavioral round, and sometimes a system design discussion (for senior interns). The bar is lower than full-time interviews but still requires solid preparation.
- Data Structures & Algorithms: Focus on arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and basic graph problems
- Coding Practice: Solve 50-100 LeetCode Easy/Medium problems. Focus on fundamentals over hard problems
- System Design (Optional): For some companies, be able to design a simple system like URL shortener
- Behavioral Questions: Prepare STAR method responses for common questions about teamwork and challenges
- Mock Interviews: Practice with friends or platforms like Pramp to simulate real interview conditions
For comprehensive interview preparation, see our technical interview prep roadmap and data structures and algorithms refresher.
Source: Internship technical interviews are typically 1-2 difficulty levels easier than full-time interviews at the same company. Focus on mastering fundamentals rather than advanced algorithms.
Tech Internship Salary Expectations 2025
Tech internship compensation varies significantly by company tier, location, and specialization. Most internships pay monthly salaries plus housing stipends or corporate housing.
| Company Tier | Monthly Salary | Housing Stipend | Total Monthly | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAANG | $8,000-$10,500 | $2,000-$3,000 | $10,000-$13,500 | Highest pay, most competitive |
| Top Tech (Stripe, Uber) | $7,000-$9,000 | $1,500-$2,500 | $8,500-$11,500 | Great pay, slightly less competitive |
| Unicorn Startups | $6,000-$8,000 | $1,000-$2,000 | $7,000-$10,000 | Equity upside potential |
| Mid-Size Tech | $5,000-$7,000 | $500-$1,500 | $5,500-$8,500 | Good balance of pay/experience |
| Enterprise/Fortune 500 | $4,000-$6,000 | $500-$1,000 | $4,500-$7,000 | Lower pay but good experience |
| Early-Stage Startups | $3,000-$5,000 | $0-$500 | $3,000-$5,500 | Equity, learning experience |
Building a Portfolio for Tech Internships
A strong portfolio differentiates you from hundreds of other applicants with similar GPAs and coursework. Your projects should demonstrate both technical skills and practical application.
- 2-4 substantial projects: One full-stack web app, one mobile/desktop app, one data project, and one that matches your target role
- Clean GitHub profile: Pinned repositories, good README files, consistent commit history showing ongoing work
- Live demos when possible: Deploy web projects to Heroku, Netlify, or Vercel so recruiters can interact with them
- Diverse tech stacks: Show familiarity with multiple languages and frameworks relevant to your target companies
- Document your process: Include challenges faced, solutions implemented, and lessons learned in project READMEs
For detailed guidance on portfolio creation, see our building a portfolio that gets hired guide and learn about contributing to open source projects.
Networking Your Way to Tech Internships
Networking dramatically improves your internship success rate. Employee referrals receive 3-5x more interview invitations than cold applications.
Networking Action Plan
LinkedIn Optimization
Complete your profile, connect with classmates and alumni, share relevant content about your projects and learning
University Resources
Attend career fairs, join CS clubs, participate in hackathons, and utilize alumni networks through your career center
Online Communities
Join relevant Discord servers, Reddit communities (/r/cscareerquestions), and tech Twitter to engage with the community
Informational Interviews
Reach out to employees at target companies for 15-20 minute conversations about their experience and advice
Cold Outreach
Message recruiters and engineers on LinkedIn with thoughtful, personalized messages about specific roles
Maximizing Your Tech Internship Experience
Landing the internship is just the beginning. Your performance during the internship determines whether you receive a full-time offer and sets the trajectory for your career.
- Exceed expectations: Aim to complete your project early and ask for additional responsibilities
- Build relationships: Connect with other interns, your mentor, and team members beyond just your manager
- Document your impact: Keep track of what you accomplished for performance reviews and future job applications
- Seek feedback actively: Don't wait for formal reviews—ask for feedback weekly and act on it
- Network internally: Attend company events, grab coffee with employees, and learn about different teams
- Prepare for full-time recruiting: Many companies make full-time offers during or immediately after internships
For post-internship career planning, explore our software engineer career ladder and junior to senior developer timeline guides.
Tech Internship FAQ
Related Career & Education Resources
Sources & Methodology
National Association of Colleges and Employers annual internship report
Salary data and company ratings from intern reviews
Application trends and hiring data
Tech internship compensation data
Placement rates and recruiting timeline data from top CS programs
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.