How I Got a Big Tech Internship in Software Engineering (with no previous experience)

So...I recently got a big tech internship in software engineering. I had no previous experience, so my “journey” to receiving my offer letter was definitely a combination of blessings, good planning, and hard work. I personally received a lot of guidance and help from wonderful people in my life, and now (as cliche as it may sound), I do want to give back by making this KZbin video. I hope you enjoyed this video and found it helpful.
💕 Ella
TIMESTAMPS:
1:58 - my CS background
3:31 - learning about recruitment & interviews
5:14 - how I did technical prep
9:53 - how I gained experience
12:35 - crafting my resume
13:52 - applying to internships & getting referrals
🔗 LINKS MENTIONED IN VIDEO:
Medium article: / how-i-got-a-big-tech-i...
Resume resources:
yangshun.github.io/tech-inter...
docs.google.com/document/u/1/...
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📧 FOR BUSINESS INQUIRIES, CONTACT: [e-mail]
➡️ MY VLOG CHANNEL: @Vlogs by Ella
💻 A CHROME EXTENSION THAT I MADE (helps you manage and navigate through your chrome tabs): chrome.google.com/webstore/de...
▶️ A CHROME EXTENSION THAT MY FRIEND MADE (allows you to fast forward KZbin videos (& ads in them) using on-screen hotkeys ): chrome.google.com/webstore/de...
📷 FOLLOW MY INSTAGRAM: / createdbyella
💄 GLOSSIER 10% OFF: re.glossier.com/310ae988
👗 YESSTYLE 10% OFF: ys.style/c2lAZVoeb9 (or use code 'LLAEXX10')
✨ GET TO KNOW ME
My name is Ella and I'm currently studying computer science at the University of Toronto. On this channel, I mainly make videos relating to technology (software in particular). The main types of videos that I make are tech/software reviews, first impressions, comparisons, and discussions. I also occasionally make some other content relating to university and tech internships. If you've enjoyed your visit to my channel, please consider subscribing! 😄
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Music Used~

[@murilosaade3920]

Please don't delete this video because I will definitely use it in the future. Thank you very much!!

[@luxraider5384]

just download the video

[@veganfoodtruck4829]

Finally someone who calmed me down over my weak resume and stated what I need to do. Thank you for this video. It was great

[@zarinaro]

Your content is sooo good! Your videos about your experiences are so helpful and illuminating!! Definitely one of my favorite channels and I'm so happy that your community is growing so fast! I don't know if you're taking video suggestions, and I know everyone makes Notion videos nowadays, but I would really love to see your notion setup and the various ways you use it!

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

Thank you so much!! I actually just filmed a notion video so it'll be coming very soon :)

[@suvimala]

Great and useful content. Thank you so much Ella. Keep up your wonderful work and good spirit.

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

Thank you so much!

[@ariannaechanique1939]

Thank you, Ella! This video was really informative…now onto working on some personal projects

[@robertorodas-herndon2314]

Amazing video! Incredibly helpful

[@agusm7743]

I really really love your channel, I like your reviews and as CS student I appreciate all this information as well

[@younesskhayour]

Your efforts are very much appreciated!

[@TheyHurry]

Thank you for the helpful video. It is really nice to see that I'm not the only one who would get depressed over not being able to solve a problem

[@xt248]

a really detailed and helpful video! thanks for sharing this :)

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@linxin329]

Very well organized and spoken! Thank you

[@rggndfw]

Just bought a MBA and found your channel, liked the content and subbed. I really like the ext Tab Closer, so handy.

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

Awesome, thank you!

[@yasminkamal-deen6008]

Great video Ella!

[@hebronmekuria-student4762]

Good job, your hard work really paid off!

[@rayhanachmadarmand9577]

Thank you so much really good info for my technical interview!

[@joycereychellcruz3364]

hello there if you want to be part in our company you can email here: [e-mail]

[@Sanyu-Tumusiime]

"i never heard back from any of them" i felt that that is me with job searching

[@mirthintylohitaditya1875]

A new Subscriber to you!!! All the best for future videos Ella and make us informed and motivated like this😍

[@benjamintao7474]

Good video. It is April now, the same date u start your prep, but I am already overwhelmed by the those machine projects that the school gave me. Wish I have time to do those preps.😵‍💫

[@victorianjeri1000]

Very valuable video, thank you!

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yaolin6014]

Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

You are so welcome!

[@js-cm8ni]

Found this to be helpful !

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

So glad!

[@zalieahmad6639]

Go Ella Go! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@shreyuum]

it was insightful. thankyou.

[@Trying_todo_better]

wow this was a excellent video... all the things you did it in detail .... here i was feeling hopeless being a IT student in the last year with no knowledge whatsoever and being a useless introvert(who cant talk).. lets try by learning Data structure again 💪💪💪

[@COSMOS_Legend]

Loved the video. Hopefully will be able to land internship on big tech.

[@lornalinn8868]

might be late to see this but this is sooo helpful

[@mengyugao8050]

Great Video! Liked and subbed.

[@akshaychavan5511]

This is best!

[@user-jm4ci2wq9d]

Thank you ❤

[@SB-qt8qj]

Really good video, I'm currently structuring my cv as I have no experience, in the work experience section would it be a good idea to replace that with relevant projects?

[@leah1602]

Hello ella, you are the best, what extracurricular activities do you recommend me to do.🙂

[@abhayc576]

Hey I’m not sure if you’re replying to comments on this video. However, I’ll just ask, were you doing your Data structure and algorithms review / online course during the summer between your 2nd and 3rd year? I’m at a Canadian university myself and still only in first year. Hope to learn lots of new things.

[@Jason_Lucero]

Hey Ella, I just finished my first year and got a faang offer... your tips helped out a lot! Knowing full stack helped out a ton haha. Congrats on your internship! I really have been enjoying your videos, greetings from cali

[@chanelthesheep9443]

No way congrats!!! Did u have any basic in coding before starting uni?

[@Jason_Lucero]

@@chanelthesheep9443 hey, thanks! No I did not. But, i definitely took advantage of the quarantine to study as if my life depended on it... If i had to estimate probably over 500 hours coding... I have no friends haha.

[@chanelthesheep9443]

@@Jason_Lucero woah the efforts definitely pays off 👏 🙌 I'm starting uni and already panicking over internships lol had absolutely zero experience about coding (and computer) in general 🤣🤣🤣

[@Jason_Lucero]

@@chanelthesheep9443 awesome, u want some tips on how to get started? I was also lost and had to do a lot of experimenting to get where I did. If u want u could dm me maybe?

[@fuq1735]

@@Jason_Lucero Do you have any recommendation for courses on data structures & algorithms? The one that Ella showed only had a free trial but if you know any, I'd appreciate it!

[@arjay_2002]

It’s crazy you already have internships just in second yesr

[@DC-se3vr]

Okay I’m buying this book 📕

[@AEYEWOLF]

kind young lady with a good heart

[@May16Joe]

You'll make good $$$ once you graduate, good job!

[@LifewithSattars]

Hey please reply, what programming language did you practice the technical interview for?

[@ryanfang3413]

Hi Ella, what mic did you use for this recording?

[@saarauthmaan4761]

What do you recommend if you have no experience formal or otherwise what should I learn to land an internship

[@leecharlie2513]

Are there a lot of UofT students that can get internship in the US? I heard the J1 visa might be a hassle and even the large tech companies like FANG don’t like it? It cost a lot to sponsor J1?

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

I think most students from UofT stay in Canada for internships. However, I actually think that larger tech companies are more willing to sponsor visas than smaller ones since they have more funds. For my internship, although it is US based and the majority of the people who I've met so far go to American universities, I've also met a good amount of people who go to a Canadian uni.

[@leecharlie2513]

@@CreatedbyEllaYT Just think of a social security number related question. If it is all remote now for internship, how can first-time intern cross the border and apply for social security number in the US? I think the company will need social security number in order to add intern student in the payroll, right?

[@bigboi6275]

thank

[@_Luket]

social anxitey part 😂I can relate

[@jamesnam918]

Hey! What was your grade in grade 12 to get into U of T?? I am a grade 11 student trying to get into schools like UofT and UBC. Any Ap classes?

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

I did take many AP classes. I got straight As in high school except for 2nd semester of 12th grade when senioritis struck me lol

[@jamesnam918]

@@CreatedbyEllaYT did you have higher than 94% average to get into UofT? Also are you in Saint George campus?

[@mahekharwani7274]

Hey, which language would you suggest to learn data structures and algorithms in?

[@radubutoi2065]

100% python

[@Sanyu-Tumusiime]

she's at U of T also like just getting the interveiw is impossible how tf to get the interview? they keep ghosting me after applying

[@horacemarian4584]

random question where's your necklace frommm?

[@DC-se3vr]

Whenever I get stuck on a code and I’m not sure what I did wrong I always asked for help. I would have someone review it, or I would put the question in google.

[@jessereremoana9226]

I'm getting me black Encyclopaedia bk, & install them in my Living room, keep them clean & Ventilated

[@Ellesappellejejeje]

Which coding language did you learn??

[@theunboxer3964]

Wow

[@ThaoTran-yw7zw]

How did you get course on Coursera for free? They asked me to pay

[@Ryan_Revier]

I got graduate and still making money on my own without any sponsorship..

[@timelimitexceeded0]

she is so sweet

[@jaffarkeikei4323]

Congratulations Ella👏 did you literally skipped CSC108? Never had computer science before but I'll be joining uoft in Jan, wish me luck

[@ashwinraghunath4453]

How's it going there? 😄

[@jaffar7464]

@@ashwinraghunath4453 It's going great!

[@ashwinraghunath4453]

@@jaffar7464 awesome. All the best for the rest of semesters 😄 I'm moving to Canada for masters at Concordia this September BTW 😄

[@jaffar7464]

Oooh super!! You'll have a great time in here Ashwin:)

[@SweatySockGaming]

Its not going to well for me :( cs post

[@wonrei]

i dont know why i watch videos from software engineers. I just got an internship in help desk no experience also but I did failed a lot of interviews

[@Sanyu-Tumusiime]

for someone with no college like me it's impossible way too competitive i think im just gonna give up

[@ryang9802]

it’s definitely possible to get into tech without a college degree! a degree can give you an edge but experience and technical skills are still more valued. i know that’s at least the case for the united states. watch people who were self taught and get tips from them! DONT give up.

[@danielessien5256]

is it Microsoft??

[@sanchitagarwal8944]

Does Language of code matters during interview

[@ShredST]

Not really, provided that the language you know is a popular language.

[@aaayush1051]

dude ngl she looks like blackpink jennie !!

[@derteetrinkendeg9364]

Which company?

[@hypermeero4782]

The way girls google is amazing, however nice video 👍🏻

[@nandinisharma9931]

u look so muchh like lily from modern family

[@dexteres1233]

I live in a third world country lol can I still do this?

[@gumerzambrano]

Congrats 👏 sleepless hours paying off

[@CreatedbyEllaYT]

haha thank you! :)

[@DAIS_Shujaathullakhan]

Watching this video in 2023 recession

[@yourlocalhuman3526]

Me trying to find an apprenticeship rn:

[@christineannomisol1310]

your like jennie of blackpink am I the one noticing it😍❤️

[@samhou8897]

First glance, i thought u were jennie because of your gorgeous eyes.

[@meloimagpantay9949]

You look like jennie from blackpink