Are you an international student trying to get a software engineering internship in the US? If the process feels overwhelming because you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone.
In today’s job market, internships help you turn classroom learning into real-world experience and are often the bridge between school and a full-time job. Whether you’re looking for summer programs or year-round roles, we’ve created this guide at Remitly to show you how to find software engineer internships and stand out in the competitive application process.
This CS internship search guide will help you build a solid foundation, prepare your application, find real job openings, and get ready for your interview with confidence.
Start with a solid foundation
Building a strong foundation of technical skills and real-world experience is key to securing tech internships for international students.
Learn key skills
Most employers in 2025 want to see that you’re comfortable with modern programming languages and development tools. You’ll need to learn Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, or Java. There’s also growing demand for cloud-native languages like Go and Rust, especially for back-end roles.
You’ll also want to get familiar with tools like Git and GitHub for version control because they’re used in almost every real-world workflow. Knowing how to work with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, and tools like Docker can help you stand out and show you’re ready to build scalable, production-grade software.
Build personal projects
One of the best ways to prove your skills is to build personal projects and share them on GitHub. It could be a simple web app, automation script, or small API. Personal projects show that you can take ideas from concept to execution.
Make sure your GitHub repositories are clean and organized. Use clear code, README files, and include instructions on how to run your project. Think of it as your portfolio that recruiters can browse as they assess you as a candidate.
Contribute to open source
Contributing to open-source projects is a great way to gain hands-on experience and stand out from other applicants.
Even small contributions like fixing bugs, writing tests, or improving documentation can help you build crucial professional skills and show proof of your abilities. Also, working on open-source projects allows you to learn from experienced developers and can also open doors to valuable connections and mentorship opportunities.
Where to look for internships
If you’re unsure how to find software engineer internships, start your search early—ideally three to six months in advance—and use a variety of channels such as:
University career centers and job portals
Your college’s career center is a great place to start your software engineering internship search. Most schools use platforms like Handshake and host regular career fairs.
These platforms often have job listings that make it easier to find opportunities that match your skills. Many offer help with resume reviews, and some even give you early access to interviews or exclusive openings through campus recruiters.
Online job boards
Websites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and WayUp are great places to find software engineering internships. You can filter by job title and location, and many listings include helpful information about salary estimates and company reviews, making it easier to find roles that fit your needs.
Tech-specific sites
If you’re focused on developer roles and wondering where to find coding internships in the US, check out platforms like AngelList, Stack Overflow Jobs, GitHub Jobs, and LHH Recruitment Solutions.
These sites focus on developer roles and often list internships at smaller or newer companies you won’t find on big job boards.
Diversity and immigrant support networks
Programs and organizations such as CodePath, TechLadies, BuiltByGirls, and university-based student clubs that support immigrants or international students can be great resources.
These networks function as a CS internship search guide, offering tools, mentorship, resume workshops, and job boards to support underrepresented groups in tech.
How to prepare your application
A great application starts with a strong resume, a solid portfolio, and a little personal outreach. Here are actionable software engineering internship tips to help you stand out.
Resume tips
Your resume needs to highlight the projects you’ve actually done, not just what you’ve studied. Focus on real impact. Make sure your bullet points start with strong action words like developed, deployed, launched, or improved, and highlight tools and results.
For example, “Developed a REST API in Python that handled 10,000+ requests daily and improved response time by 30%.” This shows what you’ve done and how well it performed.
Portfolio and GitHub profile
Keep your GitHub public, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Make sure your code is clean, your README files explain what the project does, and include at least one live demo or running project. Showcasing deployable or working code signals that you understand the full software cycle, which is a crucial differentiator for recruiters.
Cover letters
Don’t copy and paste the same cover letter for every job. Instead, write a fresh cover letter for each application. Highlight your skills and mention the company’s tech stack, mission, or specific job description, and how your experience fits.
For example, if a company uses Python and SQL for data analysis, briefly explain how you’ve used those tools in a past project or internship. This makes your application more personalized and helps you stand out from applicants who send generic letters.
Ace the interview
Preparing thoroughly for interviews, both technical and behavioral, can significantly boost your confidence and performance during the hiring process.
Common interview formats
Most software engineering interviews are split into three main parts:
Behavioral questions are usually about how you work with others, solve problems as part of a team, and handle challenges. You’ll likely be asked about past projects, how you dealt with setbacks, and how you collaborated on a team.
Technical interviews usually test your understanding of data structures and algorithms. This might include live coding sessions, whiteboard-style questions, or timed problems on a platform.
Project-based tasks could be take-home assignments or pair-programming exercises where you’re asked to build something or fix bugs. These help interviewers assess your coding style, structure, and problem-solving approach in a realistic scenario.
Practice resources
To get comfortable with common interview challenges, use LeetCode and HackerRank for daily practice with coding, especially for the algorithmic questions you might face in interviews.
Interviewing.io and Pramp let you practice mock interviews with real people. They offer live sessions and simulate real interview settings and give you helpful feedback, allowing you to get better at both your technical answers and how you explain them.
Soft skills matter
Being able to code is crucial, but so is how you work with others. Interviewers want to see that you can explain your thinking clearly, ask smart questions when something is unclear, and stay open to feedback.
Show curiosity by asking thoughtful questions about the company’s team structure or current projects. For example, you might say, “If I joined, how would I collaborate with data scientists and product managers on a typical project?” During the interview, talk through your process, stay calm if you hit a roadblock, and show that you’re collaborative and eager to learn.
Special considerations for international students
Finding software engineering internships in the US takes more than just skills. You also need to understand visa options, know which companies are open to hiring students from other countries, and leverage your school’s resources.
Understand CPT and OPT internship rules
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allows students on F1 visa to work in paid or unpaid internships that are part of their academic program, with approval from their Designated School Official (DSO).
However, using more than 12 months of full-time CPT can make you ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. However, part-time CPT does not count against your OPT.
OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization after completing your program, and if your major is in a STEM field, you may be eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Planning your CPT or OPT usage carefully can help you make the most of your work opportunities in the United States.
Target visa-friendly and sponsoring companies
Many large tech and startup companies hire international students through CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT, and some even support future H-1B visa sponsorship.
Platforms like LinkedIn and ZipRecruiter list thousands of software engineering internships that are open to visa holders. To make your search easier, use keywords like “OPT software engineer intern” to find roles that fit your visa status.
Leverage international student and alumni resources
Your university’s foreign student office and career center can be helpful during your software engineering internship search. They can guide you through international student visas paperwork, review your resume, and connect you with internships.
Career advisors can also help explain confusing visa rules, and alumni networks often share job leads from grads who have been through the same process. These strategies are essential for landing tech internships for international students navigating the US job market.
Your software engineering journey starts today
Landing a software engineer internship as an international student or early-career professional takes persistence, preparation, and patience. It’s normal to face challenges or rejections along the way, but every application, interview, and project helps you grow.
Keep these software engineering internship tips in mind, learn new skills, and build personal projects as you continue your search. The more effort you put in now, the closer you get to that first big break.
Start building your resume and applying today. Your first role in tech could open the door to your dream career.
FAQs
When should I start applying for software engineering internships?
It’s best to start early, as many top tech companies open internship applications six to nine months in advance. For summer internships, that means starting your search and preparing your resume as early as August or September of the previous year. Smaller companies and startups may post later, but applying early gives you time to prepare for interviews.
Do I need experience to get an internship?
Not necessarily. You don’t need formal job experience to land a software engineering internship in the US. Employers also value coursework, personal projects, hackathon participation, and contributions to open-source. Showing initiative and real-world coding ability can help you land an internship, even without job experience.
How can international students find internships in tech?
Focus on companies that are open to CPT/OPT/STEM OPT candidates. Use job boards with visa filters on LinkedIn, MyVisaJobs, and Indeed and include keywords like “OPT-friendly” or “OPT internship.” Your school international student office and career center can also guide you toward employers who’ve employed international students in the past.
What are red flags to avoid in internship postings?
Watch out for posting with vague or overly broad descriptions, unpaid internships that don’t offer mentorship or learning opportunities, or any company that asks you to pay to apply or access training. A good internship should provide real experience, clear expectations, and a chance to grow your skills.