The Internship Game

There's a curious disconnect in how we talk about tech internships. The conventional wisdom—polish your resume, practice interview questions, network aggressively—isn't wrong, exactly. But it misses something essential.

The best opportunities in tech, internships included, often come through side doors. They're not so much applied for as created.¹ This isn't chance; it's a consequence of how value is generated in our industry.

In tech, one person's work can affect millions. This outsized impact—what investors call leverage—is what companies hunt for. Internships are just early bets on where that leverage might emerge.

So perhaps we're asking the wrong question. Instead of "How do I get an internship?", maybe we should ask, "How do I become the kind of person companies are looking for?"

The answer, I think, is disarmingly simple: Make things that matter.

"Matter" here doesn't mean passing your data structures class or building a todo app. It means creating something that real engineers find useful or interesting.

This could be many things:

- A novel tool that simplifies a common development task

- An insightful analysis of an emerging technology

- Thoughtful contributions to open-source projects

The common thread is value creation. Not for a grade or a line on a resume, but for its own sake.

Why does this approach work?

1. It's rare. Most students won't do it because it's harder than following tutorials.

2. It's concrete. You're not claiming competence; you're demonstrating it.

3. It's a natural network builder. Interesting work attracts interesting people.

4. It hones the skills companies actually care about: problem identification and solution delivery.

But perhaps most importantly, it shifts the conversation. You're no longer an applicant, hoping for a chance. You become someone worth talking to.

This isn't just theory. Look at interns at top tech companies. Many were known quantities before they applied, because of work they'd already done.

The encouraging thing is that this doesn't require years. A few months of focused, meaningful work can outweigh years of coursework in terms of practical value.

The key is to find something you care about. It could be systems design, user interfaces, machine learning—anything. What matters is that you'd do it even if no one was watching. Genuine curiosity is hard to fake and surprisingly rare.

Once you've found that interest, dive in. Build things that stretch your abilities. Contribute to larger projects. Write about what you learn. Engage in discussions not to impress, but to learn.

This last point is subtle but crucial. Actively seek out people to talk to - but do it out of genuine interest and desire to learn, not because you're angling for a job. Ask questions because you want to know the answers, not to seem smart. Share ideas because you're excited about them, not to show off. This kind of authentic engagement is far more valuable—and ironically, more likely to lead to opportunities—than trying to "network" in the traditional sense.

Will you make mistakes? Certainly. Will some of your early work be embarrassing in retrospect? Almost certainly. But that's not just okay, it's necessary. The goal isn't perfection; it's growth and impact.

As you follow this path, you might notice things changing. Opportunities may start to come to you. Interviews will feel more like conversations and much less like interrogations.

This approach isn't easier. It's often harder, requiring more initiative and comfort with uncertainty. But it also tends to be much more fun and rewarding, both in immediate opportunities and long-term growth.

And here's the real payoff: this isn't just about landing an internship. It's about building a foundation for your entire career. The skills, mindset, and relationships you develop will serve you for years to come.

In an environment where many are trying to game the system, there's a surprising edge in simply not playing the game. Instead of trying to check all the right boxes, focus on becoming genuinely, deeply good at things that matter.

Do that consistently, and you may find that you no longer have to chase opportunities. They start chasing you.²

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[1] It's crucial to understand that while networking and connections can play a role in securing internships, the most valuable opportunities are often those you create yourself. This isn't about stumbling into luck or relying on nepotism; it's about deliberately positioning yourself through your work and contributions.

[2] While becoming the kind of person companies seek is essential, it's equally important to put yourself in situations where you can be found. This means not only creating valuable work but also sharing it, participating in relevant communities, and engaging with the industry. The combination of self-improvement and strategic visibility is what truly opens doors.

Special thanks to Jon Tait, Joanna Juarez and Benjamin Klieger for reading early drafts of this essay.