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Tech internships can help students and graduates build new skills and learn more about a given company’s protocols and processes. While earning an internship can sometimes be difficult, tech interns can increase their chances of success in a variety of ways. It can be effective to keep an eye on interesting companies in the field, for example, and build relevant social connections related to the industry. Here are some additional ideas when looking for a tech internship.

Just as with full-time paid positions, tech internships are often found on online job boards or other platforms where businesses post opportunities. There are many highly trafficked, generalized job boards, such as Glassdoor and Indeed, where candidates can narrow down their search by type of position, location, company and salary.

Especially in the tech industry, there are dedicated job boards, like Dice and Triplebyte, for IT-related positions. These platforms offer the added benefit of refined searches, without having to filter as many unrelated roles or companies.

It can be very useful for candidates to research companies in the professional niche that interests them and to keep tabs on those they find most appealing. A valuable tool for doing so is the company’s website. Many companies will post career opportunities on their websites and may offer a newsletter to subscribe to.

It’s also best to keep in mind that even if a company isn’t offering internships right now, things change. Keeping tabs on a given website is a good way to check in to see if that status has changed.

Most universities have career centers or other options for receiving counseling and input for career prospects. Students should be able to access these opportunities by referencing their university’s website or calling the administration office. Additionally, many universities hold career fairs where students may be able to find unique opportunities.

Some companies will go to these career centers as a way to meet potential interns or job applicants and learn more about whom to reach out to for applications.

The technology industry has many niches, and more are emerging as technology advances and companies in the industry innovate. As such, it is important to determine what niche or niches a prospective intern is interested in before deciding which internships to pursue. Here are some to consider.

Computer science is a broad technology division related to subjects such as computational theory, programming, hardware and software design, and algorithm development. Many different career opportunities are under this umbrella, such as IT support, designers and developers, and systems architects.

A tech internship in computer science can be particularly valuable for anyone who is not entirely sure about their career path. General knowledge in the realm of computer science is highly applicable to many technology careers.

Professionals in the field of data science use various systems to strategically extract, analyze and apply data sets. The data sets can relate to a wide variety of subjects and can be used for many purposes. As such, data science professionals can offer their expertise in a number of industries outside of technology, such as marketing, finance and multiple research fields.

Cybersecurity is a profession that involves developing, implementing and maintaining cybersecurity equipment and protocols as well as managing the response to cybersecurity breaches. Cybersecurity services are invaluable for virtually any company that stores or shares digital data, making this is a robust niche in the technology industry. Professionals interested in tech internships in the cybersecurity field may find opportunities at many types of organizations.

As the terms imply, a paid internship provides compensation while an unpaid internship does not, but the intern gains experience either way. Both are usually held on a temporary or probationary basis, depending on the terms of the contract.

Furthermore, the terms of compensation or lack thereof must be understood and agreed upon contractually by both the intern and the employer. Unpaid internships also have to comply with  outlined by the U.S. Department of Labor. According to a Zippia report, paid internships are more common than unpaid internships, with  and 39.2% unpaid.

Some schools offer credit hours in return for hours worked in qualifying internships. Typically, the internship offers credit hours equivalent to one class, but this varies depending on the school and the specific program. This option can expedite the process of gaining a tech degree, as well as provide hands-on experience before officially entering the job market. Some schools and programs highly recommend finding internship opportunities, and others may even require it as a stipulation of graduation.

Whichever way credit is earned for a tech internship matters less in comparison to the long-term benefits. Even if a student doesn’t receive a paid internship or credits from their university, they can easily use this experience in their professional life and resumé. Doing so will not only enhance understanding of current workplace technology practices, but may also increase the chances of receiving a job offer.