Internships

𝐈 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐟𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐩𝐨.🥲 It feels amazing to crack your first internship in college and see that very first paycheck hit your account. It is one of those memories you will remember for years. In today’s world, the path to a full-time opportunity for most graduates has changed: Internship → Full-time offer. That’s why internships are more crucial than ever. 𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟕 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐈’𝐝 𝐝𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐩𝐨. ➡️Take ownership, not just instructions. Don’t wait for someone to assign you work. Ask what the team needs, identify gaps, and take initiative to solve real problems. ➡️ Keep a record of your work and impact. Document what you did, the value it created, and the results it achieved. When it’s time for reviews, this will speak louder than words. ➡️ Understand the business, not just your tasks. Learn how your work fits into the bigger picture, the product, the customers, the company goals. It shows maturity and vision. ➡️Communicate early and often. Keep your manager and team in the loop about your progress and challenges. They should never have to follow up to know where things stand. ➡️ Ask for feedback and act on it. Actively seek input and show you can improve quickly. That’s what managers want to see in future hires. ➡️ Help beyond your job description. Step up to help teammates or take on tasks nobody wants. Teams value people who make everyone’s lives easier. ➡️Stay in touch with dsa: Don’t lose touch with DSA during your internship.Because when the internship ends, there’s usually a final interview— and that’s where they grill you with DSA questions. Don’t stress too much about the offer, focus on doing the right things. The ones who step up, take ownership, and create real impact, they are the ones who get remembered. #Internship #Microsoft #FullTimeOffer #CareerGrowth #Growthmindset #PPO #Worktips #Walmart

“They rejected me because I had no experience.” But how do you get experience without someone first giving you a chance? 🤔 This is the loop every student & fresher struggles with. I’ve been there too. And after 8+ years in tech + mentoring 1000s of students, here are some unique strategies that actually work to crack your first internship or job : ✨ 1. Build “Proof of Work” Don’t just say you know coding/finance/design, show it. Small projects, GitHub repos, case studies, or even writing your learnings on LinkedIn builds trust. Detailed explanation : https://lnkd.in/gqhmkfFb ✨ 2. Create a “Skill Portfolio” Instead of listing random certificates, make a 1-page portfolio with projects, visuals & outcomes. Recruiters notice impact, not paper. ✨ 3. Network the Smart Way Instead of cold “please refer me” DMs, write posts, share insights, and engage with industry people. When they see you show up, opportunities come naturally. ✨ 4. Use Reverse Applications Don’t just wait for job portals. Make a short pitch mail + attach portfolio → directly to startups, NGOs, or small firms. Hidden market > job boards. ✨ 5. Document Your Journey Online If you’re learning Python, post your Day 1 → Day 30 journey. This not only keeps you consistent but also attracts mentors + recruiters. ✨ 6. Hackathons & Open Source Even without prior job experience, hackathons and open-source projects prove your teamwork, problem-solving, and coding skills. That’s “real-world experience” most resumes miss. ✨ 7. Learn Skills Recruiters Value Today 2025 is skill-first, not degree-first. Breaking into your first role isn’t about luck - t’s about strategy + visibility + proof. Don’t wait for HR to give you permission to start. Start building your career assets today. I’ve guided thousands of students into their first role, and I’ll keep sharing what works. Follow for more. 👉 Tell me, what’s the BIGGEST challenge you’re facing in landing your first role? #career #guidance #freshers

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆? Let me share my views on this 👇 🔯 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 Go beyond the assigned tasks and show a genuine interest in the projects you're working on. For example, if you're dealing with large data sets, proactively seek out ways to improve data quality or efficiency in processing. 🔯𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 Take the time to build relationships with colleagues at all levels. Engage with other data analysts, ask for feedback, and learn from their experiences. By establishing a rapport with your supervisors and peers, you become more than just an intern; you become a potential future colleague. 🔯𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 Make sure you're comfortable with Excel, Power BI, SQL, Python, and basic Statistics. If there's a tool commonly used at your workplace that you're not familiar with, take the initiative to learn it. 🔯𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀 The most compelling way to secure a full-time position is by delivering tangible results. Whether it's through a well-received presentation, a report that leads to a business decision, or a data visualization that clarifies complex information, make sure your contributions are noticed. 🔯𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗙𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 Regularly seek out feedback on your performance and be open to suggestions for improvement. This not only helps you refine your skills but also shows that you're committed to personal and professional development. 🔯𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 Finally, embrace every learning opportunity during your internship. Data analytics is a field that requires continuous education due to its ever-changing nature. Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in data analytics and apply this knowledge to your work. Let me know in comments, if I missed any point ⤵️ #internship #dataanlytics #communication #mentoring #jobs #interviewpreparation #success #bigdata #growth #teaching

If you are currently on an internship or about to wrap one up, this is for you. Internships and co-ops shape more than your résumé; they shape how you think, work, and build relationships that last a lifetime.  Here are a few lessons that shaped my journey and could help you, too: 🔹 𝐅𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Every organization values those who create impact. Don’t just complete tasks. Look for problems to solve, no matter how small. During one of my past co-op roles, I worked on a project where our brainstormed ideas helped save billions in future projected costs. That came from paying attention, contributing, and working with a multidisciplinary team with 10,000+ years of combined experience across local and global projects. 🔹 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐲 Study the values, culture, and policies of your workplace. The more you understand what drives the organization, the easier it becomes to align your contribution with real impact. 🔹 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐠𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 Some of the most important doors in my career were opened by relationships I built during internships. Your next mentor, advisor, or sponsor may not come through a qualification, but through a genuine connection. Up till today, I still get calls from my past supervisors I once worked with, to consult on problems I helped solve as an intern. 🔹 𝐁𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝 & 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐮𝐭 Confidence is noticed. Share your ideas, volunteer for challenges, and leave a footprint of contribution. What people remember is the impact you created, not the hours you spent. 🔹 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 Before your internship ends, have deliberate conversations with your manager, supervisor, or team lead. Ask for feedback on your performance, seek mentorship opportunities, and request recommendation letters. These will serve as bridges for the next phase of your career. Here are a few sample questions you can ask: 💡 What did I do well? 💡 What could I have done differently? 💡 Would you be open to mentoring me beyond this role? 💡 Could I request a recommendation letter for future opportunities? These conversations are priceless; they provide clarity, open doors, and create connections that last far beyond the internship. At the end of the day, one truth remains: you cannot rush or substitute experience. Every day on the job is shaping the professional you are becoming. So to every intern reading this: be intentional, be courageous, and leave your footprint. 👉 Who’s the one intern in your circle that needs this reminder today? Share this with them.

College recruiting season is heating up so here are 10 tips I wish I had known when I was recruiting: 1. Build relationships early. Every year, when LinkedIn opened applications, we would get flooded with requests from students to chat. At that point, it was too late for us to chat with everyone and submit referrals. The handful of people who I had built a relationship with early got my referral and had a much better chance of being successful in the interview process. 2. Tap your network, and don't be afraid to cold email people. I sent hundreds of emails to people, mostly alums from my undergrad, and most of them were ignored. But I also got a few responses, which led to calls, relationships, and eventually meetings with employees at LinkedIn, Google, Pinterest, Facebook, and several other great companies. 3. Show up. (Get on a plane if you have to) Meet the people you need to meet, in person. I took a trip out to the Bay Area as a sophomore in college and it made all the difference in my recruiting process. Even if you are recruiting for local companies, getting in the door, however possible, is so important. 4. Look beyond the obvious companies. Everyone applies to Google. Find the next big name by watching who is getting funded, where the talent is flocking to, and where the process might not be flooded with applicants. 5. Create your own roles. I can't tell you how many times we've hired someone exceptional without an open job req. If you are world-class, you can create roles and opportunities where there is none. But you need to be specific on how you will contribute, and perhaps even give them a taste of the value you will bring. 6. Apply early. As soon as the application drops, be ready to apply. 7. Get experience, however you can. Land internships, build side projects, get involved on campus, and be busy! It's hard to get tons of experience when you are young, but if you want to compete, you need to get experience. 8. Go after specific roles. Too many college students hurt their chances in the process by not knowing what they are shooting for. It's okay to pursue multiple roles at once, but when you start engaging with a hiring manager, you need to identify what they need and have a strong talk track for why that role is the perfect fit for you. Saying "I'll do anything" is not good. They want to know what you will be world-class in. 9. Don't give up. Recruiting comes with tons of rejections. That's part of the process. It only takes one yes. 10. Don't go at the process alone. Practice with friends, mentors, coaches on Leland, and anyone else you can. We host 100+ free events on recruiting topics every month, so join those and make sure you are prepared! What other tips do you have for college students wanting to land great roles out of school? Pictured: me and Landon convincing 200 people to join our new Tech Club at BYU almost 10 years ago #recruiting #Internships #hiring

Stop chasing every job posting. Here are 3 ways to create opportunities instead. In today’s competitive job market, applying to endless job postings can feel like running on a treadmill—exhausting and rarely productive. Instead of chasing after every opening, why not create your own opportunities? Here’s how: 1️⃣ Build Strategic Relationships Opportunities are often hidden within conversations. Reach out to professionals at your target companies—not to ask for a job but to build genuine connections. 👉 Example Message: “Hi [Name], I noticed your recent post about [topic]. As someone looking to break into [industry/role], I’d love to hear your thoughts on [specific topic]. Would you be open to a quick chat?” 💡 People hire people they know, like, and trust. Networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about who knows you. 2️⃣ Solve Problems Before They’re Posted Many companies hire to solve specific problems. Research the challenges facing your target companies and offer insights or solutions in your outreach. 👉 Example Approach: If you’re applying to a tech company, identify a process they could improve or a trend they haven’t capitalized on. Share a brief, thoughtful suggestion in your message: “I noticed [challenge] in your product workflow. Here’s a quick idea that might help improve efficiency. I’d love to discuss it further if you’re open to it!” 💡 Showing initiative can make you stand out—sometimes even before a role is created. 3️⃣ Leverage Informational Interviews Informational interviews aren’t just for learning—they’re for planting seeds. 👉 Example: After a great chat with a professional in your desired field, follow up: “Thank you for sharing insights into [company/team]. If you hear of any roles opening up that align with my skills, I’d be grateful if you could keep me in mind!” 💡 Many jobs are filled before they’re ever posted online. This approach keeps you top of mind when opportunities arise. 💡 Key Takeaway: Instead of passively applying, proactively create opportunities by connecting, solving, and showcasing your value. It’s not just about finding a job—it’s about being found. What’s one way you’ve created opportunities instead of waiting for them to appear? Share your story below! #JobSearch #Networking #CareerGrowth #HiddenJobMarket

Want to get promoted faster? Convert your internship into a full-time role? Or improve your chances during appraisals? When I got an internship opportunity with Masoom Minawala, I eventually converted it into a full-time role. And looking back, a few things helped. 1/ Keep track of your work. Most people work hard but when appraisal season comes, they can't remember what they actually did. Keep a simple document and add projects, wins, client feedback and results every week. 2/ Learn how to talk about your work. It means making sure your manager knows what you're working on and the impact you're creating. 3/ Be someone people enjoy working with. You don't have to become best friends with everyone, but being reliable, responsive and easy to work with goes a long way. 4/ Keep interviewing occasionally. Even when you're happy in your current role. It helps you understand your market value, improve your interview skills and build confidence. 5/ Raise your hand for new projects. Looking back, a lot of the opportunities I got came from saying yes to things I had never done before. It was uncomfortable at the time but that's also how I learnt the fastest. A lot of career growth comes from doing work that technically wasn't your responsibility, but you took ownership of it anyway.

To all the interns out there: this one’s for you. Internships are more than a line on your résumé—they’re an early chapter in your professional story. And how you write that chapter can shape the trajectory of your career in ways you might not expect. As you begin your internship experience, please remember that the purpose of an internship is to help you get professional experience and also help shape your thoughts about your early career priorities.   Whether you walk away from your internship thinking "I love this and want more of it,” or "this field may not be for me," that’s a win. The purpose of an internship is to gain real-world experience, explore your interests, and begin shaping your early career direction. Learning what you don't want to do can be just as valuable as discovering your passion. And here’s something every intern should know: 👉 An internship is also an audition. How you show up—your attitude, your work ethic, your curiosity—can position you for your first full-time job. When you stand out as an intern, people remember. You’re not just doing tasks; you’re building trust, demonstrating potential, and creating future opportunities Here’s my best advice for making the most of your intern experience: 🔹 Be curious. Ask questions—not just about your assignments, but about how the organization works, how leaders make decisions, and how people collaborate. Curiosity shows engagement, and it helps you connect dots others might miss. 🔹 Show up like you belong. Because you do. Don’t wait for permission to contribute. Speak up in meetings, offer to help on projects, and bring your fresh perspective to the table. Confidence grows through action. 🔹 Build relationships. The people around you are part of your learning experience. Find mentors, ask for coffee chats, and get to know the team beyond their titles. Relationships often matter more than résumés in the long run. 🔹 Treat every task like it matters. Whether you’re sitting in on a brainstorm or proofing a deck, your approach to the work speaks volumes. Excellence in the little things builds trust for bigger opportunities. 🔹 Reflect and reset. Take time each week to jot down what you’ve learned and where you want to grow. Internships are about learning—knowing what’s working (and what’s not) is how you evolve. An internship is a two-way street. Yes, you’re there to learn—but you also have value to offer. Be bold, be curious, and be open. You’re building more than experience—you’re building your professional identity. You've got this. 💼✨ #InternshipAdvice #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ReputationMatters #Mentorship 

I landed 2 internships with zero experience in data. Not by applying. But by learning how to network — one conversation at a time. 📌 If you’re not at from an Ivy college, 80% of companies at your career fair won’t sponsor. That’s not unfair — That’s just how it works. 👉 Your job is to find the 20% that do. I focused only on that 20% at two career fairs. And I walked away with two internships. 📍 How I Started With Zero Network Just arrived from India. No U.S. experience. No connections. No idea how hiring worked. But I was extroverted. And I genuinely cared about people’s stories. So I started with what I had: → Friends from undergrad in the U.S. → Family friends in any industry → My cousin (data scientist in Australia) → Anyone who could connect me to a sponsor-ready company 💬 My cousin gave me advice I’ll never forget: "Stop building Titanic survival analyses. No one cares. Build projects that show how you think like a business person — not just a coder." So I picked real problems from real industries. And I focused on insights that could help teams make actual decisions. My 3-Step Networking Process: ✅ Step 1: Start with warm contacts I listed 15 people I already knew. And booked as many calls as I could. 🎯 One day in class, I gave a thoughtful answer. My professor, Jason Cirilo, said: "That’s a great take. Let me introduce you to someone in the industry." He connected me to Rakshit Goyal! That one intro taught me more than any textbook would. Now he shares great job search content on LinkedIn — go follow him. ✅ Step 2: Attend everything — even irrelevant events I went to every event on campus. Not because they were useful. But because I needed reps. Every awkward conversation made me better. I stopped rambling. I started asking better questions. ✅ Step 3: Use LinkedIn — but do it right → Engage with someone’s posts for 3–4 days → Send a connection request with context → Follow up after they accept with a good question 📬 The Realities of Outreach → 20% response rate is normal → Follow up after 5 days → If no reply after 2 follow-ups, move on — no emotion You don’t need a perfect resume. You need 100 real conversations. Start before you need the job. Because by then, it’s already too late. 👇 What’s your biggest challenge with networking as an international student? Drop it below — I’ll reply to a few directly. 📸 One of the proudest moments from this journey and a bucket list moment: Having my family visit me at American Airlines HQ. They saw where I work. I saw what it meant to them. #InternationalStudents #NetworkingTips #CareerFair #JobSearchStrategy #F1Visa #NetworkingForStudents #CareerAdvice #InternshipSearch #LinkedInNetworking #GradSchoolLife #PersonalBranding

𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘄𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹. It’s a 3-month interview, not a free trial. If you’re showing up just to “learn a lot,” don’t be surprised when someone else gets the offer you wanted. Here’s how to move like someone who came to earn the full-time spot: 🔧 𝟭. 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺  • Google them. Check LinkedIn. Read old blog posts.  • Find out what they actually do and show up with questions. Day one initiative = instant respect. 🧰 𝟮. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝘂𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀  • Your laptop, Slack, email, make sure they work.  • Moving like a full-timer means nobody has to chase you down to get started. 🎯 𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴  • “Learn stuff” is vague.  • “Ship a tool that saves my team 3 hours a week”? That’s a win. 🧠 𝟰. 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼 𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻  • You’ll say it a hundred times.  • Name, school, what you're excited to build.  • Sound confident, even if you're figuring it out as you go. 🏁 𝟱. 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁  Ask questions. Set up 1:1s. Show receipts.  Make it easy for your manager to say, “We need to bring them back.” ✅ And yeah, have fun. Make friends. Take the free snacks.  But don’t forget why you’re really there. This is your shot. Don’t play it safe. Play it smart. #internship #techinternship #earlycareer #intern #softwareengineering #jobsearchtips #padenbuilds #careerplaybook