Computer Science is a field that lends itself nicely to virtual work. This isn’t to say that finding an opportunity will be completely seamless, but it’s definitely a plus that coding and developing has always been done almost exclusively on a desktop or laptop. In an effort to start your research process, we poked around the internet and found a few links that are worth considering. We haven’t vetted every single opportunity, but click here, here, here, and here to get a feel for what’s out there. You can also look into programs by clicking on this link.
It’s tricky to offer blanket tips because, well, we don’t know your life. Below, we’re offering advice for three different stages of computer science enthusiasm:
Exploratory Phase:
If you’re a freshman or a sophomore and you’ve done well in your Computer Science classes but you don’t have much under your belt besides an A in an introductory course, you might consider a virtual summer program. There are countless offerings, but be sure to keep in mind that attending a program at a certain school will not help you get into that school when you eventually apply. What does this mean? Choose the program that you like the most, not the one from the fanciest school.
If you’re not ready to commit to a summer-long online program, there are a ton of free resources online. We like Coursera and EdX, but don’t stop there. You might be surprised at what you find! Should you end up loving one of these shorter and less time-intensive program, you can build on what you’ve learned either later this summer or next year.
Looking To Build On Past Experience:
Let’s say you’re looking to level up. Congratulations. Scroll up and click through the links we provided at the beginning of this blog post. Our list is by no means exhaustive—we encourage you to do your own research and find something that aligns with your goals. When it becomes time to apply, make sure you’re positioning yourself as strongly as possible. This means that your resume should be in tip-top shape, you should be prepared for a potential call back, and you have the experience under your belt that the job or internship is asking of the applicants. We’re all for shooting for the moon, but your time will be better spent applying to realistic roles – and paying attention to what the company is looking for.
The Independent:
Maybe you’ve scoured the web and nothing feels exciting. If this is the case, you should consider doing a self-guided project! What can you build or create? Think about your passions and come up with something that you can chip away at over time. If you want to take things to next level, you might be able to turn it into an independent study. Our goal with our clients is to work alongside a professional on a real project they can present to a college.
When it comes to planning for summer, we always advise our TKG clients to look for opportunities that they truly enjoy. This seems like basic advice, but what we mean to say is that you should be genuinely interested in the role, and not just trying to add fluff to your resume. Good luck!
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