Getting an Internship as a Student In a Rural Area

If you are a Computer Science major like myself, you likely know the struggles of getting an internship – and setting yourself apart from the other countless other students students like you. You've likely applied to dozens and dozens of internships, perhaps every year, and you don't even hear back from the majority. The very few emails you receive in response say, "We're sorry, but due to a high number of applicants we were unable to review your application before proceeding with other candidates."

If you live in a rural area and are struggling just like I did, this article is for you.

In my second year of community college, I found myself daydreaming over the possibility of using my skills in a professional setting. Not just programming skills, but troubleshooting, communication, leadership, and others. However, there was an elephant in the room that was crushing that dream; it was the fact that I lived in a rural area where the most desirable places to work were the local hospital, a factory, or an insurance agent's office. While it did diminish my spirits, I still wanted to find out what was out there, whether it was in a job posting or not.

I got right to scoping out local company websites. I made a mental note of the businesses that surely use computers, and thought, if they do, they might have an IT department. The first business I thought of was a local factory that my grandfather had worked at and retired from after working there for decades. Reading that, you might be thinking, "So this guy just lucked into his pap's company?" I don't blame you for that thought, but stick with me for just a moment.

Dialing the company phone number after class, I inquired "Can I speak with your recruiter?" I was transferred right over and I asked, "Would you by chance have an open IT Intern role for the summer?". She replied, "Yes – would you like to schedule an interview?" Mind you, this role was not posted anywhere and I at that point was the only applicant. I also had yet to reveal the ace up my sleeve: my grandfather was well known there.

After acing the interview, I finally revealed who I was, and that sealed the deal. After the first cycle, I continued working there as a regular employee while going to school. Later I transitioned into doing some development work – which was awesome – yet I was still longing for something that was going to make me stand out. Sadly, the IT Internship and dev work wasn't enough; I still wasn't getting anything near that golden "Software Engineering Internship."

Admittedly, I felt lost. I felt like I was at a disadvantage because I didn't go to a notable school. I didn't live near any places that hosted hackathons. I didn't have any connections outside my hometown. After graduating from community college with two associate degrees and a certificate, as well as a nice plaque recognizing my efforts in Computer Technology, I began the second leg of my quest for a bachelors degree. This school, about an hour away from Penn State, is lesser known, but it is a private 4-year institution. I thought, "Perhaps now I'll have a better shot at getting an internship."

I didn't. Dozens of unanswered applications confirmed that much. That is, until one of my favorite professors posted a new update on the "Computer Science & Cybersecurity Job Postings" page. This internship was on-site, located an hour away from where I was currently commuting from college, in the same city as Penn State. I knew that this was my absolute best shot at getting that internship I idolized, so I applied and proceeded to obsessively think about ways I could make myself stand out. I watched YouTube videos, did Leetcode, researched the company, and I sent an email directly to the program manager stating my expertise and strong interest.

Not long after, he replied, telling me I was the first applicant and that he was interested in scheduling an interview. I couldn't have been more ecstatic. I was beyond getting my hopes up, they were already sky high. Thankfully, the interviews were non-technical, which I believe significantly raised my chances of making it through. The second interview went well, although I think it could've gone better looking back. While I was initially denied, which was a bit soul-crushing, I later received a follow up email that the spot had been vacated and that I was now the first in line.

Finally, I had gotten my big break. While I only have a little over a week left until it's back to school for my senior year, I can say that I've exceeded my own expectations. Nearly everything I'm working on these days is going directly into the product – and I'm getting it done ahead of schedule.

Let this serve as a signal: if a guy from rural Pennsylvania – who never learned assembly or did the Leetcode Blind 75 – can do it, you can do it too. Don't let the headlines get in your head. The fear is holding you back from becoming the best version of yourself.

If you've gotten this far, I appreciate you, but I also want to offer some pieces of advice to anyone who finds themselves in a similar position that I was in. First:

If you found this article helpful, I'd love to hear more about your story. Connect with me on LinkedIn and share your story with me!